About the job

An early-stage, venture-backed startup dedicated to revolutionizing the blockchain landscape is looking for a Head of Protocol Engineering to join their leadership team. The mission is to build the next generation blockchain designed for radical decentralization and scalability, leveraging Rust and Substrate technology. The startup is pioneering a novel proof-of-storage consensus algorithm and decoupled execution framework.

In this role, you will be responsible for translating abstract cryptographic protocols into actionable engineering plans. Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, you will contribute directly to the success of the project.

With a globally distributed team and a commitment to open-source development, the company is redefining the possibilities of blockchain innovation. Based on original research funded by the US National Science Foundation, the sovereign layer-one blockchain is set to launch early next year. To learn more, visit the website and read the technical whitepaper.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the CEO & CTO to translate abstract protocols into technical specifications, engineering roadmaps, and implementation plans
• Work with development teams to transform estimates into realistic timelines, ensuring transparent communication and visibility across the organization
• Track project velocity toward key milestones, utilizing tools like Github projects, Lucidchart, and Notion to keep the wider team and community informed
• Lead and empower the protocol engineering team of 10+ engineers, removing obstacles and fostering a productive, collaborative work environment
• Oversee the network deployment processes while maintaining high standards for documentation, code quality, and testing
• Contribute to the transition from a company-led roadmap to a community-led approach as the engineering team migrates to the Subspace Foundation

Key Requirements:

• A genuine passion for decentralized, peer-to-peer systems, and a deep understanding of Web3 technologies
• A strong foundation in software engineering or computer science, demonstrated through academic achievements or professional experience
• Proven experience in leading engineering teams in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, or Web3 domains
• Experience leading open-source and community-driven software projects, with the ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Successful track record of managing remote-first, globally distributed engineering teams
• Comprehensive knowledge of leading blockchain scalability frameworks such as ETH2/Rollups, Near, Solana, Polkadot, and Dfinity

Bonus Experience:

• Strong background in cryptography, distributed systems, and peer-to-peer networks
• Familiarity with the architecture of major blockchain clients and frameworks, including Bitcoin Core, Geth/Solidity, and Substrate
• Experience in smart contract development, full-stack decentralized application creation, or blockchain infrastructure and development tooling
• Proficiency in a systems programming language such as Rust, C/C++, or Go

About Dapp360 Workforce:

A premier US-based talent acquisition firm, Dapp360 Workforce is dedicated to sourcing talent for the decentralized realm. We bridge companies immersed in blockchain technologies and building decentralized applications with stellar candidates to drive mutual growth.

We embrace diversity! Dapp360 Workforce is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage global applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We look forward to meeting you