Senior Cryptography Engineer (Key Management)

Department environment

Key Management:

The Key Management team at Copper is tasked with developing the core components of Copper’s custodial solution. This entails the constructions of tools and services essential for secure storage and transfer of digital assets. A focal point of the team’s responsibilities includes developing and integrating MPC (Multiparty Computation)-based cryptographic signature algorithms. Additionally, the team is charged with the development of APIs that facilitate the interaction of cryptographic primitives with both client-facing applications and certain internal services within Copper.

Key Responsibilities of the role

• You will participate in the design and implementation of various subsystems of Copper's new MPC-based key management infrastructure.
• You will integrate low-level cryptography primitives, written by in-house cryptography engineers into Copper’s internal MPC framework. Depending on your background, you may participate in implementation of relevant primitives as well.
• You will work on an SDK that’ll be used by client facing applications, securely running on a variety of hardware.
• You will produce production-level, well-tested and rigorously vetted code and you will maintain the same standards for your team members.

Your experience, skills and knowledge 

Essential 

• 5+ years’ experience building software with an OOP language.
• Fluency in Go programming language, with demonstrated production-level engineering experience in developing and testing software in concurrent settings.
• Familiarity with algorithms, system design and distributed systems.
• Some Public Key cryptography background and/or mathematical aptitude in Abstract/Linear Algebra.

Desirable

• Master’s or PhD in Mathematics or Computer Science in a subfield identical or adjacent to Cryptography or Distributed Systems.
• Experience with a greenfield Go project involving client-side applications.
• Experience in building P2P networks.
• Experience in developing low-level cryptography primitives.
• Prior experience with HSMs/TEEs including managed solutions like AWS Nitro Enclaves.
• Prior knowledge/experience with MPC or crypto custody.

Tech Stack

For this position, you will predominantly work with Go. You will also need to interact with some interservice communication tools as well as some infrastructure tools.

Relevant tech stack for this position:

• Software development languages: Go
• Storage: PostgreSQL, MongoDB
• Interservice communication: RabbitMQ, Redis, gRPC, Protocol Buffers
• Infrastructure: AWS, Docker, GOCD, Prometheus, Kibana, Grafana

The benefits offered

• Holidays: 27 days per annum paid holiday, in addition to bank holidays 
• Years of Service Days: Employees are awarded one additional day of paid time off per year of service (up to three years)
• Vitality Health:
  • Medical Insurance: Copper provides all employees with individual cover. Medical history is disregarded, and a 24/7 virtual GP is available (£100 excess per person per year) 
  • Dental Insurance: Comprehensive dental cover for preventative, restorative and emergency treatment 
  • Audiology Cover: Employees can claim back up 80% of costs, up to £300, for any hearing tests or hearing aids 
  • Optical Cover: £500 optical cover (through Vision Express) or 80% reimbursement up to £300 for any other optician 
  • Menopause Support: Unlimited support for those experiencing symptoms of the menopause, such as video consultations with a dedicated menopause practitioner 
  • Vitality services also include an additional £100 for minor diagnostic tests and private prescriptions, including home diagnostics 
  • Headspace - Copper's policy provides all employees with a free Headspace subscription. Headspace provides great resources to manage stress, improve sleep, meditate and enhance mindfulness 
  • Discounts and free benefits - the Vitality programme has been designed for preventative care to encourage members to improve their overall health and will reward those for doing so. Employees can access additional benefits such as 50% off running shoes, discounted health screenings, 50% off at Nuffield Health or Virgin Active gyms and much more
• Home Working Energy Support Scheme: to combat energy prices increasing globally, Copper will provide you, in addition to your salary, with a monthly top-up of £60 or £75 (subject to your energy supplier)
• Pension up to 10% matched contribution to our company pension scheme via Smart Pensions
• Cycle to Work
• Life Insurance cover: Four times your base salary
• EAP: access unlimited mental health consultations and contact a 24/7 confidential helpline for emotional support
• Unmind
• Sponsored Learning and Development opportunities
• Regular company events and social activities 

In return for everything you can bring to Copper, we can offer you an exciting, challenging role in a fast-growing and dynamic business, with career opportunities and welcoming working environment.

If you think you have everything we're looking for and more, then we'd love you to apply for the opportunity. 

Copper is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunities in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. So bring us your experience, perspectives and skills. It is in our differences that we will continue to grow and ensure Copper is transforming how institutional investors engage with digital assets.