Lead Blockchain Engineer

We are hiring a Lead Blockchain Engineer to work on the core protocol powering CEF’s decentralized AI and data infrastructure.

This is not a maintenance role.

This is not a “build a token and ship it” role.

This is a core infrastructure engineering role for someone who wants to design and evolve blockchain systems that operate in production.

CEF is building a decentralized AI and data infrastructure platform, with Cere Network forming the core Web3 data and blockchain backbone of the ecosystem. We are building long-term infrastructure for autonomous AI agents operating on sovereign data.

Your mandate will be to evolve the Cere Protocol Layer 1 blockchain, build critical protocol primitives, and maintain production networks that power decentralized data computing.

If you think in protocols, distributed systems, cryptography, and consensus architectures, this role is for you.

Tasks

1. Architect Core Protocol Infrastructure

• Continuously upgrade the Cere Protocol Layer 1 blockchain using Rust and Substrate.
• Design and implement custom pallets powering Decentralized Data Clusters (DDC).
• Improve protocol performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Contribute to core runtime architecture and network evolution.
• Maintain long-term protocol sustainability and upgradeability.

We are not looking for someone to ship features.

We are looking for someone to build infrastructure that lasts.

2. Engineer Verifiable Compute

• Implement Proof of Compute systems to capture and verify data activity on chain.
• Design mechanisms for automated verification and settlement of computation.
• Build reliable accounting primitives for decentralized data infrastructure.
• Ensure protocol level guarantees around transparency and trust.

Compute should be provable, auditable, and autonomous.

3. Build Privacy and Sovereign Data Systems

• Develop Zero Knowledge primitives supporting private computation.
• Design and evolve the EDEK system for client side encryption and data sovereignty.
• Implement cryptographic primitives supporting decentralized data ownership.
• Ensure privacy preserving architecture across protocol layers.

Data sovereignty must be designed into the protocol itself.

4. Maintain Protocol Governance and Security

• Maintain and upgrade the OpenGov governance framework.
• Implement governance improvements for protocol upgrades and voting.
• Conduct internal security audits of protocol upgrades and smart contracts.
• Ensure production networks operate reliably and securely.

Protocol governance should be transparent, secure, and resilient.

Requirements

• 7+ years of engineering experience with strong expertise in Rust.
• Deep experience working with Substrate and blockchain runtime development.
• Strong understanding of applied cryptography, including hashing, signatures, and ZK proofs.
• Experience architecting distributed systems and consensus mechanisms.
• Familiarity with on chain governance frameworks such as Polkadot/OpenGov.
• Experience building or modifying core blockchain protocol components.
• Experience deploying and maintaining blockchain nodes and networks.
• Hands on experience running testnet and mainnet infrastructure.
• Strong experience with Linux environments and containerized deployments.
• Experience with Docker / Docker Compose (Kubernetes is a plus).
• Familiarity with monitoring systems, logs, and network metrics.(Kubernetes is a plus)

Nice to Have:

• Experience with Substrate FRAME, runtime development, or pallet design.
• Background in Computer Science or equivalent high impact Web3 experience.

Benefits

• Real Equity: We treat early team members like partners. You’ll receive meaningful equity so the upside you help create is shared.
• Direct Access to Leadership: You are part of the core conversation. You will work side by side with the CEO and founders every day to solve hard problems and set the strategy.
• Work on Hard, Emerging Problems: We are building infrastructure for AI agents operating on sensitive, real-time data without relying on centralized black box platforms. While parts of this ecosystem exist, the architecture for doing it securely and reliably at scale is still evolving.
• Small Team, High Output: We believe the best teams are small and extremely capable. AI tools increase individual leverage, so we hire fewer people and expect a much higher level of ownership and output.
• Autonomy With Accountability: We hire people who don’t wait for permission to solve problems. If you see a better way to build something, you’re expected to propose it and ship it.
• Remote With Real Collaboration: We are a remote-first team but believe strong collaboration requires real interaction. The team meets regularly in San Francisco and Europe for focused building sessions and hackathons.

Our Hiring Process

We move fast, stay transparent, and focus on real collaboration. Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Intro Call – A quick chat to align on expectations, interests, and team fit.
2. Technical Deep Dive – A focused conversation with our Engineering Manager to explore your technical thinking and past work.
3. CEO Interview – A strategic discussion around vision, mindset, and long-term alignment.
4. Reference Collection – We’ll speak with a few people you’ve worked closely with.
5. Paid Trial (~5 Days) – A short, real-world engagement so we can see how we work together — happening in parallel with offer and terms discussion.