At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement secure cryptographic protocols for Cardano projects.
- Company: Join IOG, a leader in blockchain research and development with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, laptop reimbursement, and competitive PTO.
- Why this job: Be part of a cutting-edge team that values creativity and challenges the status quo.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; strong Rust skills required.
- Other info: Collaborate with global teams and contribute to impactful blockchain solutions.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Who are we?
IOG, is a technology company focused on blockchain research and development. We are renowned for our scientific approach to blockchain development, emphasizing peer-reviewed research and formal methods to ensure security, scalability, and sustainability.
Our projects include the Cardano blockchain, as well as other products in the areas of decentralized finance (DeFi), governance, and identity management, aiming to advance the capabilities and adoption of blockchain and Web3 technology globally.
What the role involves:
As a Cryptography Engineer you will contribute to the design, implementation, and integration of secure cryptographic protocols across Cardano-related initiatives, including Cardano Core Cryptographic Primitives, Mithril, ALBA, Leios, and etc. This role bridges applied research and engineering, focusing on translating cutting-edge cryptographic designs into robust, production-grade systems. The cryptography engineer will collaborate closely with researchers, protocol designers, software architects, product managers, and QA teams to ensure cryptographic correctness, performance, and system alignment. A strong emphasis is placed on high assurance coding, cryptographic soundness, and practical deployment readiness.
- Work both independently and in collaboration with distributed teams across multiple time zones, showing initiative and ownership over tasks
- Design and implement cryptographic constructions, including digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, accumulators, commitment schemes,
- Work independently on software development tasks, demonstrating proactive problem-solving skills.
- Develop and maintain cryptographic libraries (primarily in Rust and Haskell, occasionally in C) with an emphasis on safety, performance, clarity, and auditability
- Translate advanced cryptographic concepts from academic research into well-structured, reliable implementations that will be used in production systems
- Contribute to cryptographic design discussions, parameter tuning, and performance benchmarking, particularly for elliptic curve and zk-based constructions
- Analyze and validate protocol security, ensuring soundness, liveness, and resistance to practical adversaries
- Collaborate with researchers, software architects, and formal methods specialists to align implementation with protocol specifications
- Write and maintain clear documentation, including developer guides and internal design notes
- Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize cryptographic code and its interactions with broader systems
- Keep up to date with recent cryptographic advancements and assess their relevance to the project
Requirements
Who you are:
- Degree in Computer Science, Cryptography, Mathematics, or a closely related field
- Practical experience in applied cryptographic engineering through industry work, academic research, or open-source contributions
- Strong proficiency in Rust for systems-level cryptographic development; familiarity with C is a plus
- Exposure to Haskell is a strong advantage, particularly in cryptographic or blockchain-related contexts
- Experience designing or implementing protocols involving digital signatures, multi-signatures, commitments, or zero-knowledge proofs
- Familiarity with blockchain cryptography, consensus mechanisms, or secure distributed systems
- Proficient in using version control systems, especially Git, in collaborative development environments
- Solid mathematical foundation in cryptography, including finite fields, group theory, and probability
- Strong expertise in elliptic curve cryptography, with a focus on digital signatures, multi-signature schemes, and cryptographic commitments
- Familiarity with zero-knowledge proof systems and their integration in blockchain protocols
- Proven experience implementing cryptographic primitives and protocols in Rust (required); familiarity with C is beneficial, and exposure to Haskell is a strong advantage
- Deep understanding of cryptographic protocol design, including security properties such as soundness, liveness, and adversarial modeling
- Strong security sensibility in low-level cryptographic implementation, with awareness of side-channel and misuse risks
- Ability to read, interpret, and implement cryptographic research papers and formal specifications
- Clear and structured communication skills to support effective collaboration across cryptography, engineering, and research teams
- Ability to work independently and proactively, with minimal supervision.
- Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills.
- Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
Are you an IOGer?
Do you find yourself questioning the status quo? Do you tinker with ideas and long to turn those ideas into solutions? Are you able to spark thoughtful debates, bringing out the inquisitiveness in others? Does the promise of continuously growing excite you? Then get ready to reimagine everything you thought wasn\’t possible because that\’s what it means to be an IOGer – we don\’t set limits, we break them.
Benefits
- Remote work
- Laptop reimbursement
- New starter package to buy hardware essentials (headphones, monitor, etc)
- Learning & Development opportunities
- Competitive PTO
At IOG, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Cryptographic Engineer - IOE: Cardano employer: Io Global
Contact Detail:
Io Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cryptographic Engineer - IOE: Cardano
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in cryptography, especially those relevant to blockchain technology. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your practical experience by contributing to open-source projects related to cryptography or blockchain. This demonstrates your hands-on skills and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the blockchain and cryptography space. Attend relevant conferences, webinars, or meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest industry trends.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific cryptographic protocols and their implementations during your interview. Being able to articulate your understanding of concepts like zero-knowledge proofs or digital signatures will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Cryptographic Engineer - IOE: Cardano
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cryptography, software development, and any specific projects related to blockchain technology. Emphasise your proficiency in Rust and any exposure to Haskell, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for blockchain technology and cryptography. Discuss how your background aligns with IOG's mission and the specific responsibilities of the Cryptographic Engineer role. Mention any relevant projects or research that demonstrate your skills.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: Provide examples in your application that illustrate your proactive problem-solving abilities. Highlight instances where you successfully tackled challenges in cryptographic implementations or software development.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working with distributed teams, mention any previous experiences where you collaborated effectively across different time zones or with cross-functional teams. This will show your ability to communicate and work well with others.
How to prepare for a job interview at Io Global
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with cryptographic protocols and languages like Rust and Haskell. Bring examples of your previous work or projects that demonstrate your ability to implement secure cryptographic systems.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with IOG's projects, especially the Cardano blockchain. Understanding their approach to blockchain research and development will help you align your answers with their goals during the interview.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills in cryptography. Practice explaining your thought process clearly, as this will showcase your ability to tackle complex issues independently.
✨Communicate Clearly and Collaboratively
Since the role involves collaboration with various teams, demonstrate your communication skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with others in the past and how you can contribute to a cross-functional team environment.