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Lead Protocol Engineer

Faucetworks
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Job Title:  Lead Protocol Engineer (Digital Currency)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Protocol Engineer to design, architect, and implement a new, groundbreaking blockchain protocol for a novel digital currency / cryptocurrency. The ideal candidate will be an expert in cryptography and distributed systems who can translate a vision for decentralized finance into a secure, scalable, and robust core infrastructure. You will lead all technical aspects of the protocol's development, from consensus mechanism design to network architecture and security.

IN YOUR COVER LETTER, PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PREVIOUS WORK WITH DIGITAL CURRENCIES / CRYPTOCURRENCY!

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Protocol Architecture: Design and specify the entire blockchain protocol from the ground up, including the core architecture, data structures, and peer-to-peer networking layer.
  • Cryptographic Design: Research, select, and implement cryptographic primitives to ensure the security, privacy, and integrity of all transactions and data on the blockchain.
  • Consensus Mechanism: Design and develop a novel consensus algorithm, or optimize an existing consensus algorithm (e.g., Proof of Stake, BFT-based, or a hybrid model), that is secure, efficient, and scalable for a digital currency.
  • Core Implementation: Write high-quality, bulletproof code for the core node software in a relevant programming language (e.g., Rust, Go, C++).
  • Technical Leadership: Serve as a technical lead for the project, guiding design decisions, mentoring other engineers if necessary and ensuring code quality and standards.
  • Research and Innovation: Stay on the cutting edge of blockchain research and actively engage with the academic and open-source community to propose and integrate novel advancements.
  • Security Auditing: Implement rigorous testing and validation processes to identify and fix bugs and vulnerabilities, and prepare the protocol for external security audits.
  • Technical Documentation: Produce clear, comprehensive, and accurate documentation detailing the protocol's specifications, APIs, and overall architecture.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including researchers, product managers, and external partners, to ensure the protocol aligns with business objectives.

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent practical experience in a high-level, production-grade blockchain project will also be considered.
  • Deep Expertise: A proven track record of designing, building, and launching a live, complex blockchain protocol or significant contributions to a major one.
  • Programming Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in at least one systems-level programming language such as Rust, Go, or C++, with a portfolio of relevant work.
  • Cryptography: Strong foundational and applied knowledge of cryptographic principles, including hashing, digital signatures, public-key cryptography, and zero-knowledge proofs.
  • Distributed Systems: Advanced understanding of distributed computing, peer-to-peer networking, and decentralized systems.
  • Blockchain Knowledge: Deep understanding of current blockchain architectures, consensus algorithms (e.g., PoW, PoS), and the broader crypto ecosystem.
  • Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex theoretical concepts into practical, working code.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex technical ideas to a wide audience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • A "crypto-native" mindset with hands-on experience using and interacting with a variety of decentralized protocols.
  • Familiarity with tokenomics and game theory for incentive design.
  • Experience in an early-stage startup environment, where autonomy and a high-leverage mindset are critical.
  • Experience with advanced blockchain topics, such as Layer 2 scaling solutions, cross-chain bridges, and interoperability standards.