Senior Software Engineer, Consensus

As a Senior Software Engineer specializing in consensus at ANZA, you will play a critical role in fortifying the Agave client and the broader Solana network. Your work will directly improve the efficiency and reliability of blockchain infrastructure, ensuring robust, timely consensus mechanisms. You will focus on optimizing the processes that underpin agreement on block validity and order, ensuring they are secure, performant, and scalable to support future growth.

What you'll do

• Design, implement, and optimize consensus mechanisms to enhance the throughput and stability of the Solana network
• Develop and refine algorithms to ensure fair and efficient agreement on block production among validators
• Identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities within the consensus mechanisms, ensuring robust protection against emerging threats
• Improve the scalability of the consensus system to handle increasing transaction volumes and validator participation without compromising performance
• Create and execute comprehensive tests to validate the reliability and efficiency of the consensus mechanisms, including stress tests, fault injection, and performance benchmarking
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including core protocol engineers, security experts, and infrastructure teams, to ensure seamless integration and functioning of the consensus components
• Maintain thorough documentation of the consensus protocols and conduct peer code reviews to uphold high standards of code quality and consistency

What you bring

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with core infrastructure software and distributed systems
• Strong proficiency in systems programming languages such as Rust or C++
• Experience with consensus algorithms, distributed systems, and blockchain technology
• Ability to analyze complex systems, identify potential issues, and develop effective, flexible solutions
• Knowledge of common security threats and best practices in securing consensus processes
• A growth mindset, actively consuming research papers, designing, and investigating new solutions
• Experience with performance profiling and optimization techniques
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment

Nice to have

• Familiarity with Linux, systems automation tools, and systems architecture
• Understanding of networking, architecture, and principles underlying distributed systems
• A knack for designing secure protocols, software, and algorithms that minimize trust requirements
• Self-driven, research-oriented approach with the ability to learn independently
• Active participation in Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain projects, or the open-source community

What we offer

• Annual base salary of $180,000 USD to $300,000 USD for US-based candidates, determined throughout the interview process depending on experience, skill, and location

About ANZA

ANZA is a Solana R&D lab pushing the boundaries of blockchain performance and scalability, founded by experienced executives and core engineers solving the toughest problems in Web3. ANZA believes that crypto ecosystems rely on robust protocols best built out in the open with multiple contributors.