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.