Role Overview

As a Software Engineer in Applied Cryptography, you will contribute to building, optimizing, and securing Barretenberg, our state-of-the-art cryptography library. This is a highly technical role focused on advancing zero-knowledge (zk) technology, with opportunities to work across our stack to enable privacy-preserving solutions in Web3. Your contributions will directly influence the scalability, security, and functionality of decentralized applications.

Key Responsibilities

1. Core Cryptography Development:
• Deliver robust, secure, and high-performance contributions to Barretenberg, our cryptography library.
• Optimize core protocols for speed and efficiency.
• Refactor code to enhance clarity, maintainability, and auditability.
2. Feature Enablement Across the Stack:
• Implement memory-constrained proving in WASM environments.
• Update and enhance verifier smart contracts.
• Improve horizontal scaling for rollup provers.
• Contribute to Noir, our domain-specific language (DSL) for zero-knowledge circuits.
• Develop and optimize the AVM (Algebraic Virtual Machine) for non-private function execution.
3. Security and Audits:
• Conduct rigorous testing and audits with a focus on secure cryptographic implementation.
• Take part in security event response, ensuring system integrity during critical events.

Qualifications

• Experience:
• Demonstrable expertise in C++ or Rust development.
• Mindset:
• Pragmatic and security-first approach to software development.
• Strong mathematical foundation with an enthusiasm for privacy-preserving technologies.
• Skills:
• Exceptional problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Well-developed organizational and team communication capabilities.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum 3 years of industry experience in software engineering.
• Knowledge of zk-SNARKs or similar zero-knowledge proof systems (e.g., STARKs).
• Strong foundation in mathematics and cryptography, including:
• Abstract algebra, elliptic curves, signature schemes, and hash functions.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Cryptography, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with security analysis, such as:
• Auditing, red teaming, or building formal security tools (e.g., fuzzers).
• Passion for the Web3 and blockchain space.
• Located in the UK or US.

What we offer:

• A highly competitive compensation package (including equity)
• Flexible and remote work environment
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays annually
• An opportunity to work at the cutting edge of blockchain with a world class cryptography and engineering team