At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of tokenization architecture and secure smart contract development.
- Company: Join CoinDesk, a leader in the crypto economy with a mission to innovate.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on security and compliance in the crypto space.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced world of digital assets and blockchain technology.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in system architecture, expert in smart contracts, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
CoinDesk is the most trusted media, events, indices and data company for the global crypto economy. Since 2013, CoinDesk Media has led the story of the future of money and investing, illuminating the transformation in society and culture that comes with it. Our award-winning team of journalists delivers news and unparalleled insights that bring transparency, comprehension and context. CoinDesk Events gathers the global crypto, blockchain and Web3 communities at annual events such as Consensus, the world’s largest and longest-running crypto festival. CoinDesk Indices offers expertise in digital asset indices, data and research to educate and empower investors.
In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence.
Reports to: Director, Engineering
Engineering Organization & Culture
At Bullish, we are engineering the institutional standard for the digital asset industry. Our mission is to build a platform centered on security and compliance, requiring a commitment to technical excellence that extends beyond delivering code. As a global organization, we set a high bar for those driven to do their best work alongside experienced, deeply specialized peers. Engineers here treat development as a craft and own the outcome from concept to deployment. Our teams bring structure to ambiguity and shape the frameworks that support a global organization. We refuse to compromise on quality and seek problem solvers who thrive on complex technical challenges with real market consequences.
The Team: Custody Engineering
The Custody Engineering team builds the systems that safeguard user assets, architecting secure and compliant infrastructure for the full lifecycle of funds. Our technical scope spans blockchain development, smart contracts, oracles, and the full-stack systems that power them. We operate with a high degree of autonomy and ownership over core infrastructure, connecting blockchain technology with institutional-grade stability. With the core architecture in place, the team is now heavily focused on advancing the tokenization strategy.
What You'll Do
- Drive the evolution of the foundational architecture and engineering roadmap, leading the project's scaling and tokenization phases using established industry standards.
- Serve as the technical owner for the full tokenization lifecycle, including asset issuance, controlled transfer, settlement mechanics, and on-chain verification.
- Lead the secure design, implementation, and audit of the smart contracts that hold customer assets, and the backend for workflows interacting with the smart contracts.
- Define and enforce auditable security controls (e.g., policy engines, governance rules) that meet institutional standards for asset safety and regulatory compliance.
- Act as the primary cross-functional technical interface, translating cryptographic and security requirements into actionable engineering work for engineering, product, and operational compliance teams.
- Mentor a team of engineers and set the standard for code quality, security review, and engineering judgment.
What You'll Bring
- 6+ years of experience architecting and scaling production-grade systems. Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and mentor high-performing engineering teams to deliver high-impact solutions.
- Expert-level fluency in secure public chain smart contract development, such as Solidity and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), with command of industry-standard security frameworks and libraries such as OpenZeppelin.
- Deep, authoritative knowledge of token standards (e.g. ERC-20, ERC-3643, Token-2022) and advanced wallet and custody architectures (e.g., ERC-4337 Account Abstraction, Gnosis Safe).
- Strong command of architecting secure off-chain services (e.g. in TypeScript), APIs, and event indexers.
- Hands-on depth with modern Web3 development and testing frameworks (e.g., Foundry, Hardhat) and interaction libraries (e.g., Viem, Ethers.js).
- A paranoid security mindset, with proven expertise preventing and mitigating common smart contract vulnerability patterns (re-entrancy, oracle manipulation, access control flaws), use of static analysis and fuzzing tools, and a track record of leading teams through smart contract audits.
- The ability to communicate protocol logic and security trade-offs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders across global teams.
- Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).
Nice to Haves
- Engineering experience within the finance or high-security sector.
- Familiarity with SVM/Solana or Daml/Canton smart contract and application development.
- Familiarity with C++ to interface with broader platform systems.
- Fluency in modern key management paradigms (e.g., MPC, HSM) and applied cryptography specific to digital assets.
- Familiarity with institutional-grade digital asset custody environments.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
In an effort to attract, retain, develop and promote the most qualified individuals, CoinDesk is committed to treating all applicants and employees in a nondiscriminatory manner with respect to the terms and conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status/service, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law. This mandate governs all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, promotion, training, education, social and recreation programs, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits.
ACCOMMODATION
CoinDesk is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@coindesk.com and let us know the nature of your request.
Lead Engineer, Custody Engineering (Tokenization) in London employer: CoinDesk
At CoinDesk, we pride ourselves on being a leading force in the crypto economy, offering an innovative work environment that fosters creativity and technical excellence. Our culture encourages collaboration and mentorship, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth while working alongside industry experts. Located at the heart of the digital asset revolution, we empower our team to tackle complex challenges and make a tangible impact in a rapidly evolving field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer, Custody Engineering (Tokenization) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the crypto and engineering space on LinkedIn or at events. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects, especially in blockchain or smart contracts, make sure to highlight them. Real-world examples of your work can speak volumes.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of token standards and security frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you’d tackle real challenges in custody engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer, Custody Engineering (Tokenization) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Crypto:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the crypto world shine through! We want to see how your interests align with our mission at CoinDesk and how you can contribute to the future of money and investing.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in engineering and tokenization. We love seeing how your past projects relate to what we do, so don’t hold back on those details that showcase your skills and achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the Lead Engineer role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at CoinDesk
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially around smart contracts and token standards. Brush up on Solidity, ERC-20, and ERC-4337, as you’ll likely be asked to demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss complex technical challenges you've faced in previous roles. CoinDesk values problem solvers, so think of specific examples where you’ve successfully navigated ambiguity and delivered high-impact solutions.
✨Communicate Clearly with All Stakeholders
Practice explaining technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. You’ll need to translate cryptographic and security requirements into actionable tasks, so being able to communicate effectively is key.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentorship
As a Lead Engineer, you’ll be expected to mentor others. Be ready to share your approach to leading teams, ensuring code quality, and fostering a culture of security and compliance. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve successfully guided a team.
