Staff Engineer - Protocol Design

Our mission is to build the future of anime by harnessing the power of community and blockchain technology. We are seeking an exceptional Protocol Engineer to join us in developing the fandom protocol—the identity and fandom layer of AnimeChain. You will work on groundbreaking projects that allow users to express their fandom on-chain, attach their web2 identities, and interact with anime IPs in new and exciting ways. You will be working alongside a passionate team with extensive experience in crypto, big tech, and startups.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Comfortable designing and implementing robust, secure, and scalable blockchain protocols, with a focus on enabling new ways for fans to express their fandom on-chain.

• Strong logical reasoning and first principles thinking, prioritizing innovative and effective solutions over hype. Strives for clean, modular, maintainable, and secure code.

• Strong communication skills, able to distill complex blockchain concepts into simple terms for various stakeholders. Will collaborate closely with design, product, and business teams to translate product goals into reliable and maintainable protocols.

• Eager, proactive, detail-oriented, and resourceful with a strong work ethic. Thrives in a fast-paced, unique startup environment experimenting at the intersection of web3 and traditional tech.

TECHNICAL EXPECTATIONS

• Expertise in building and maintaining blockchain protocols, especially in the context of user identity, on-chain interactions, and social graphs.

• Proficient in writing smart contracts and handling edge cases to ensure the protocol is secure, scalable, and accessible.

• Experience in creating SDKs/APIs that facilitate consumer adoption and use cases for blockchain protocols.

• Deep understanding of common blockchain challenges (state management, off-chain interactions, transaction processing, etc.).

• Security-focused: prioritizes exploit resistance best practices (encryption, access control, secure key management, etc.).

• Experience contributing to the devops side of blockchain infrastructure (node monitoring, performance tuning, system alerts, etc.).

REQUIREMENTS

• ≥ 5 years of experience (this role is for senior/staff level).

• Must have significant experience in blockchain protocol development. Interest in user-centric applications, social graph protocols, and cryptography is a plus.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• Proven track record as a builder and owner of complex blockchain components or systems.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound tradeoffs in protocol design.

• Self-driven with the ability to work independently and a bias towards action in resolving open questions.

PAY & BENEFITS

• Starting base pay for this role is between $170,000 to $220,000. The actual base pay is dependent on many factors, such as work experience, business needs, market demands, and transferable skills. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

• Meaningful equity at an early-stage and high-growth startup.

• 100% employer paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

• Unlimited PTO

• 401(k) plan

• Wellness Stipend

• Food Stipend

• Commuter Benefits

WHY YOU’LL LOVE BEING PART OF THE AZUKI TEAM

• Play a key role in shaping the future of anime and reimagining the next generation of entertainment.

• Work with an ambitious team of fun, creative, and forward-thinking builders.

• Stay at the bleeding edge of web3 technology – experimentation is in our DNA.

Chiru Labs (Azuki) is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.

MORE ABOUT AZUKI

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