Mid-Level Rust Engineer

Shielded Labs, an independent Zcash organization, is seeking to hire a mid-level Rust engineer to join our team and contribute to the development of Crosslink and transition Zcash to a hybrid proof of work / proof of stake consensus protocol. Crosslink introduces the Trailing Finality Layer, which ensures that once a block is finalized, it cannot be rolled back. This increases network security and enables new use cases such as safer cross-chain bridges and staking ZEC for protocol rewards. Crosslink will also lay the foundation for a future highly scalable Zcash protocol upgrade.

The engineer will focus on implementing and integrating Crosslink smoothly, minimizing disruption and ensuring the stability of the ecosystem while preserving existing use cases. They will report to the Head of Product and play a critical role in this important milestone for Zcash, which enhances its core functionality and offers new opportunities for network participation. Shielded Labs is specifically seeking a non-US engineer to contribute to this effort as its goal is to build a globally distributed team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain Rust code for the Crosslink protocol.
• Collaborate with our team of engineers to implement a hybrid PoW/PoS consensus mechanism.
• Participate in code reviews, ensuring high standards of code quality, performance, and security.
• Review issues and pull requests and provide constructive feedback to contributors.
• Test and validate code, including writing automated tests.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of protocol upgrades and enhancements.
• Debug and resolve complex issues related to consensus rules and network security.
• Work closely with the Zcash community to integrate feedback and ensure the protocol meets the needs of its users.

Desired Qualifications

• Located outside the United States to align with our goal of building a globally distributed team.
• At least 5 years developing, releasing, and maintaining production software.
• Strong proficiency in the Rust programming language.
• Familiarity with Tendermint/CometBFT or other fault-tolerant consensus protocols.
• Commitment to product quality and user experience.
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to take ownership of projects and initiatives and drive them to completion.
• Strong alignment with Zcash’s core values of human freedom, individual autonomy, and data sovereignty.