Senior C++ Protocol Engineer (Privacy & Cryptography)

We are building the next generation of private, decentralized financial infrastructure. Our goal is to enable completely confidential transactions and smart contract interactions on a global scale. We are looking for a low-level systems expert who is passionate about cryptography, memory safety, and high-performance networking to join our core protocol team.

As a Senior C++ Developer, you will be responsible for architecting and implementing the core consensus and networking layers of our privacy-preserving blockchain. You will work closely with our cryptography researchers to translate complex zero-knowledge proof systems (zk-SNARKs/zk-STARKs) and ring signatures into production-grade C++ code. This is a high-impact role where performance and security are not just buzzwords, but the foundation of the product.

Key Responsibilities

• Core Protocol Development: Design, implement, and maintain the core blockchain node software in modern C++ (C++17/20).
• Privacy Integration: Implement and optimize cryptographic primitives, including Zero-Knowledge Proofs, Homomorphic Encryption, and Secure Multi-Party Computation (MPC).
• Performance Optimization: Profile and optimize code for high-throughput transaction processing and low-latency P2P networking (libp2p, custom protocols).
• Memory Safety: Ensure strict memory safety and security best practices to prevent side-channel attacks and memory leaks.
• Consensus Mechanisms: Contribute to the implementation of consensus algorithms (e.g., PoS, PoW variants) with a focus on finality and resistance to censorship.
• Cross-Platform Builds: Maintain build systems (CMake/Bazel) across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.
• Code Review: Conduct rigorous peer reviews with a focus on security vulnerabilities and cryptographic correctness.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of professional C++ development experience (C++11/14/17 required; C++20 is a plus).
• Systems Knowledge: Deep understanding of computer systems, including memory management, concurrency, and lock-free data structures.
• Cryptography: Practical experience implementing cryptographic algorithms (Elliptic Curves, SHA-3, BLS signatures) or working with libraries like libsodium, OpenSSL, or Bitcoin Core’s secp256k1.
• Blockchain Fundamentals: Solid understanding of blockchain architecture (UTXO vs. Account models, Merkle Trees, P2P networking).
• Tooling: Proficiency with Git, CMake, and debugging tools (GDB, Valgrind).
• Security Mindset: Experience writing secure code and understanding common attack vectors in decentralized systems.

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with Rust (for interoperability or tooling).
• Familiarity with Zero-Knowledge frameworks (libsnark, bellman, arkworks).
• Experience with WASM (WebAssembly) for smart contract execution.
• Previous contributions to open-source privacy projects (Monero, Zcash, Tornado Cash, etc.).
• Understanding of libp2p or DevP2P protocols.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: Paid in fiat or crypto (your choice).
• Remote-First: Work from anywhere with flexible hours.
• Equity/Tokens: Generous token allocation for core contributors.
• Hardware Budget: Top-tier laptop and equipment of your choice.
• Conference Budget: Annual allowance for industry conferences (Devcon, Zcon, etc.).
• Impact: Work on technology that protects fundamental human rights to privacy.

How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a link to your GitHub or portfolio. If you have contributed to open-source privacy tech, please highlight those PRs.