Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Protocol Engineer)

THIS IS ONLY ON W2
Job Title: Lead Specialty Software Engineer
Location: Concord, CA (Hybrid) 

Job Description:
About this Role:

• Client is seeking a Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Protocol Engineer) to contribute to a next-generation Digital Asset Platform designed to solve the most critical challenge in institutional finance: achieving strict regulatory compliance without compromising transaction confidentiality.
• As a Lead Protocol Engineer, candidates will be responsible for architecting the core settlement engine.
• Candidates will work at the intersection of distributed systems and applied cryptography, translating complex mathematical proofs into high-performance, production-grade Go code.

• Core Protocol Development: Architect and build a custom blockchain application using Go, Cosmos SDK, and CometBFT (Tendermint)
• Cryptographic Implementation: Implement and optimize privacy-preserving primitives, specifically Pedersen Commitments and Bulletproofs (Range Proofs), ensuring no trusted setup is required
• Consensus Customization: Engineer custom ABCI++ extensions (specifically PrepareProposal and Vote Extensions) to implement an on-chain Multi-Party Computation (MPC) mixing network
• State Machine Design: Design a custom KVStore state machine that manages homomorphic encrypted balances (Elliptic Curve points) instead of plaintext integers
• Performance Engineering: Optimize cryptographic operations (scalar multiplication, point addition) for low latency and high throughput in a distributed environment
• Auditing Infrastructure: Build secure off-chain query layers and "view key" mechanisms that allow for granular, permissioned regulatory auditing

• 5 plus years of Specialty Software Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education.
• 3 plus years of experience in backend or systems programming, with expert-level proficiency in Go (Golang)
• 6 plus months of experience with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)
• 1 plus year of experience with BFT consensus algorithms, P2P networking, and state replication; reliable, distributed systems experience.

• Blockchain Core: Deep experience with Cosmos SDK and CometBFT. Comfort building custom modules and modifying consensus logic, not just deploying smart contracts.
• Pedersen Commitments (Homomorphic encryption properties)
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs (specifically Bulletproofs or Sigma protocols)
• Math-to-Code: Demonstrated ability to read academic whitepapers/preprints and translate mathematical specifications into functioning code.
• Experience with MPC (Multi-Party Computation) or Verifiable Secret Sharing (VSS) schemes.
• Familiarity with the Ristretto255 curve or libraries like gnark-crypto.
• Background in FinTech, payment systems, or high-frequency trading platforms.
• Understanding of the Account Model vs. UTXO Model trade-offs in privacy-preserving ledgers.

• YugaByte/Postgres and/or Liquibase

• Consult on or participate in moderately complex initiatives and deliverables within Specialty Software Engineering and contribute to large-scale planning related to Specialty Software Engineering deliverables.
• Review and analyze moderately complex Specialty Software Engineering challenges that require an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Contribute to the resolution of moderately complex issues and consult with others to meet Specialty Software Engineering deliverables while leveraging solid understanding of the function, policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with client personnel in Specialty Software Engineering.

• 4 plus years of Specialty Software Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work or consulting experience, training, military experience, education.

Pay Range: $70.00 - $80.00/hr on W2
The specific compensation for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Our full-time consultants have access to benefits including medical, dental, vision and 401K contributions as well as any other PTO, sick leave, and other benefits mandated by appliable state or localities where you reside or work.