Founding Protocol Engineer

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Protocol Engineer designing and implementing core components for Prover Network. Collaborating on optimized communications and consensus protocols in a fast-evolving problem space.

Posted 5/15/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Rust

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and implementation of core components of Prover Network
Highly optimized communication between the clients and GPUs
Design and lead the implementation of the consensus protocol
Collaborate closely on design with Dr. Rao
Help shape not only the protocol but also the company culture and platform
Set technical standards for Prover Network
Contribute ideas and expertise to drive evolution of the platform
Solve complex problems in a rapidly evolving space

Requirements

What you’ll need

Deep familiarity with protocol engineering aspects
Expertise in Rust (~4 years), including a high comfort level with advanced concepts such as generics, lifetimes, memory management, concurrency, etc
Familiarity with advanced benchmarking and testing frameworks (e.g., prop-testing, fuzzing)
Experience in working independently on open-ended problems
A strong sense of responsibility and comfort with autonomous work
Interest in zero-knowledge proof-based blockchain systems (Nice-To-Have)
Experience writing smart contracts (Nice-To-Have)
Familiarity with the fundamentals of cryptography, such as hash functions and finite fields (Nice-To-Have)
A passion for open-source software and an eagerness to learn (Nice-To-Have)
A strong interest in privacy (Nice-To-Have)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary and equity as an early member of our team
Full benefits package, including healthcare coverage and more to come
Stipend for learning and professional development
Opportunity to work with a driven, talented, dedicated team that values collaboration, innovation, and in making a strong positive impact
Culture built upon mutual respect, empathy, learning, and growth

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Rustprotocol engineeringadvanced benchmarkingtesting frameworkssmart contractscryptographyhash functionsfinite fieldszero-knowledge proofsmemory management

Soft Skills

problem-solvingautonomous workresponsibilitycollaborationleadershipcommunicationadaptabilitycreativityinitiativepassion for learning