Cryptography Engineer

Jump Crypto is committed to building and standing up critical infrastructure to catalyze the growth of the crypto ecosystem. We're builders, partners, and traders who take a long-term view of crypto's prospects and operate to unlock the full potential of open, community-driven networks. Since our inception as a skunkworks intern project in late 2015, we've grown into a dynamic and seasoned team of high performing players across a range of functions. Today, we play an important role in the development of some of the largest and most innovative crypto communities.

Jump Crypto is the crypto division of Jump Trading Group, a research-driven quantitative trading firm and one of the largest traders by volume across traditional asset classes.  For more on our history, culture, and the road ahead, please read our blog here. To learn more, visit us at jumpcrypto.com and follow us at @JumpCryptoHQ.

As an Cryptography Engineer at Jump Crypto, you’ll work with our product design and R&D teams to design and build the core components for blockchain scaling. You will have the chance to drive our strategic efforts on cryptography, ZK proof systems, and other L2 solutions. We’re looking for candidates who have deep expertise in designing cryptographic proof systems, are capable of implementing novel ZK primitives, and can provide key technical insight on potential investment opportunities.

What You’ll Do:

• Implement Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proof systems and integrate with existing core infrastructure
• Design new proof systems and cryptographic primitives
• Build product prototypes and reference implementations
• Develop methods for optimizing proof systems and their components
• Write research pieces to educate internal and external stakeholders
• Blend research skills with engineering expertise to improve the state of the art
• Other duties as assigned or needed

Skills You’ll Need:

• Strong background in math / cryptography / security
• Proficiency in Rust, C++, Golang or Python (one or more)
• Ability to implement and deploy production-ready crypto systems
• Experienced in architecting, or contributing to, mid-to-large scale software projects, including contributions to open-source projects.
• Familiarity with Web3, DeFi protocols, Cryptocurrency, EVM, DAOs, and NFTs
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced organization
• Self-directed but also comfortable coordinating in larger team setting
• Ownership and results-driven mindset
• Reliable and predictable availability

Bonus Points:

• PhD preferred, but formal academic experience not required
• Prior experience building crypto systems (can implement something like Fractal / PLONK or efficient hash functions like Poseidon from scratch)
• Experience + interest in working on hardware optimizations for ZK proof systems (e.g. parallelization techniques on FPGAs)

Annual salary range $125,000 – $175,000 + discretionary bonus eligibility

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Paid vacation plus paid holidays
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness Programs