Software Engineer - Applied Cryptography

Summary

Join Aztec as a Software Engineer in Applied Cryptography and contribute to building, optimizing, and securing Barretenberg, our state-of-the-art cryptography library. This highly technical role focuses on advancing zero-knowledge (zk) technology, offering opportunities to work across our stack. You will deliver robust, secure, and high-performance contributions to Barretenberg, optimize core protocols, refactor code, and implement memory-constrained proving. You'll also update and enhance verifier smart contracts, improve horizontal scaling, contribute to Noir, and develop and optimize the AVM. The role requires rigorous testing, security audits, and participation in security event response. Aztec offers a competitive compensation package, flexible and remote work, and 25 days of holiday.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• Conduct rigorous testing and audits with a focus on secure cryptographic implementation
• Take part in security event response, ensuring system integrity during critical events

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Benefits

• 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