Smart Contract Engineer
Smart Contract Engineer

Smart Contract Engineer

Freelance 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop smart contracts using Solidity and Rust for innovative DeFi projects.
  • Company: Join MLabs, a leading tech company at the forefront of Web3 innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, remote work flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of building the future of finance with cutting-edge technology and elite clients.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in Solidity and Rust, with experience in DeFi protocols and EVM.
  • Other info: Work in a diverse, inclusive environment with a focus on continuous learning.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location: European timezones.

Compensation: highly competitive rates; salary bands are flexible and scale directly with your seniority and depth of DeFi expertise.

We are looking for a highly skilled Smart Contract Engineer with deep expertise in both Solidity (EVM) and Rust to join our elite engineering team at MLabs. In this role, you will be subcontracted to work directly with one of our premier clients—leading innovators in the DeFi space—building next-generation financial infrastructure on Base, Arbitrum, and other EVM-compatible networks. As a bridge between the smart contract layer and high-performance systems, you will architect, develop, and secure complex DeFi protocols. You aren’t just writing code; you are building the "money legos" of the future, ensuring they are gas-efficient, battle-tested, and capable of handling significant TVL (Total Value Locked).

Responsibilities

  • Architect & Develop: Design and implement robust, production-grade smart contracts in Solidity for deployment on L2s like Base and Arbitrum.
  • Systems Engineering: Build high-performance backend services, tooling, or blockchain components using Rust to support on-chain logic.
  • DeFi Logic: Develop complex on-chain financial logic including AMMs, lending/borrowing mechanics, staking protocols, or yield-generating products.
  • Optimization: Perform deep-dive gas optimizations and performance tuning for both smart contracts and Rust-based infrastructure.
  • Security & Risk: Apply rigorous security best practices to protect against common DeFi attack vectors (reentrancy, oracle manipulation, etc.) and participate in internal code reviews.

Qualifications

  • Solidity Expertise: Proven experience writing, testing (Foundry/Hardhat), and deploying smart contracts in a production environment.
  • EVM Mastery: A deep understanding of the Ethereum Virtual Machine, including gas optimization, memory layout, and L2-specific nuances.
  • Rust Proficiency: Professional experience building backend services or blockchain-related tooling in Rust, with a comfort level working across the full systems stack.
  • L2 Experience: Hands-on experience deploying and managing protocols on Arbitrum, Base, or similar Rollup solutions.

Domain Experience

  • DeFi Background: Previous experience working on Decentralized Finance protocols (e.g., DEXs, Lending, Restaking, or Tokenomics-heavy systems).
  • Architecture Tradeoffs: A strong grasp of on-chain vs. off-chain architecture and the security considerations specific to financial protocols.
  • Upgradeability: Familiarity with common proxy patterns and upgradeable contract design is a major plus.

Benefits

  • Competitive Compensation: We offer highly competitive rates; salary bands are flexible and scale directly with your seniority and depth of DeFi expertise.
  • High-Impact Projects: Work on the bleeding edge of Web3 with some of the most respected names in the industry.
  • Remote-First Culture: Enjoy the flexibility of working from anywhere in a team that values autonomy and output over hours at a desk.
  • Continuous Learning: Deepen your expertise in both the EVM and Rust ecosystems through complex, real-world engineering challenges.
  • Professional Growth: As a member of MLabs, you’ll have access to a network of elite engineers and the opportunity to rotate into different high-profile client projects as you grow.

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.

Commitment To Equality And Accessibility

At MLabs, we are committed to offer equal opportunities to all candidates. We ensure no discrimination, accessible job adverts, and providing information in accessible formats. Our goal is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the hiring process or you would like to see the job-advert in an accessible format please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing human-resources@mlabs.city.

MLabs Ltd collects and processes the personal information you provide such as your contact details, work history, resume, and other relevant data for recruitment purposes only. This information is managed securely in accordance with MLabs Ltd’s Privacy Policy and Information Security Policy, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Your data may be shared only with clients and trusted partners where necessary for recruitment purposes. You may request the deletion of your data or withdraw your consent at any time by contacting legal@mlabs.city.

Smart Contract Engineer employer: MLabs

At MLabs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a remote-first culture that prioritises flexibility and autonomy while working on high-impact projects at the forefront of Web3. Our commitment to continuous learning and professional growth ensures that as a Smart Contract Engineer, you will deepen your expertise in both EVM and Rust, collaborating with elite engineers and engaging in diverse client projects that shape the future of DeFi.
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Contact Detail:

MLabs Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Smart Contract Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get involved in DeFi communities, attend meetups, and connect with other smart contract engineers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or projects that need your skills.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your work! Create a portfolio showcasing your smart contracts and any DeFi projects you've contributed to. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Solidity and Rust skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Confidence in your expertise will shine through!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at MLabs and working on cutting-edge DeFi projects.

We think you need these skills to ace Smart Contract Engineer

Solidity
Rust
EVM Expertise
Smart Contract Development
Gas Optimization
DeFi Protocols
Backend Services Development
Security Best Practices
Code Review
L2 Deployment Experience
On-chain Financial Logic
Architecture Tradeoffs
Upgradeable Contract Design
Performance Tuning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Solidity and Rust. We want to see how your skills align with the Smart Contract Engineer role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your DeFi expertise!

Showcase Your Projects: Include any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving smart contracts or DeFi protocols. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so share links or descriptions that demonstrate your hands-on experience.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it 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 team!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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 role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!

How to prepare for a job interview at MLabs

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in both Solidity and Rust. Brush up on your knowledge of EVM, gas optimisation, and the specific nuances of L2s like Base and Arbitrum. Being able to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges will show your depth of expertise.

✨Showcase Your DeFi Experience

Prepare to talk about your previous work with DeFi protocols. Whether it’s DEXs, lending systems, or yield-generating products, be ready to explain your role and the impact of your contributions. This will demonstrate that you understand the financial logic behind the code.

✨Security is Key

Familiarise yourself with common DeFi attack vectors and security best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve implemented security measures in your past projects. This will highlight your commitment to building secure and reliable smart contracts.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s projects, team dynamics, and their approach to innovation in the DeFi space. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.

Smart Contract Engineer
MLabs

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