At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build core blockchain protocol components while collaborating with a talented team.
- Company: Join RootstockLabs, a leader in Bitcoin-backed financial infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, remote work, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse, global team with unique projects and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Work on cutting-edge blockchain tech and make a real impact in the crypto space.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering, with blockchain protocol experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
We are looking for a Senior Protocol Engineer to join our Rollup team. This is a hands‑on, full‑time engineering role focused on building and scaling our Bitcoin‑secured Layer 2 rollup on Rootstock. This is a protocol role: you’ll work directly on the chain on topics such as sequencing, block derivation, consensus and finality, bridge and proof system. You will join a small team of senior engineers with high ownership. You will design, build, test and operate core components, and you will take part in the technical decisions of the project.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design, build and maintain core protocol components: execution and consensus clients, sequencer, block derivation and batch submission to the parent chain.
- Work on the bridge and the proof system: deposits, withdrawals, cross-layer messages and state validation.
- Maintain a large open source codebase: learn how its parts work together, make changes that are safe for a live network, and keep the code easy to evolve.
- Review code, write design docs and RFCs, and take part in architecture decisions.
- Test and debug a distributed system: unit to adversarial tests, local devnets, reorgs, node desync and performance problems.
- Deliver and operate releases on public chains: upgrades, hard forks, monitoring and incidents, etc.
- Collaborate with Product, DevOps and Security to plan and ship each release.
Must have
- 5+ years of professional software engineering, with at least 2 years in blockchain core or protocol development (node clients, consensus, etc.).
- Solid production experience in mainstream languages (for example Go, Rust or Java).
- Deep knowledge of blockchain internals and the EVM: consensus, P2P networking, state and storage, transaction lifecycle, JSON-RPC, etc.
- Experience working effectively in large codebases you did not write.
- AI-assisted development is a core part of your work, while owning what you deliver.
- Autonomy and ownership: you help define the work, not only execute assigned tasks.
- Good English, spoken and written, since the team is international and remote.
Nice to have
- Professional experience with Go and/or Rust.
- Hands‑on experience with Ethereum Layer 2 rollups (optimistic or ZK).
- Understanding of rollup design: sequencing, data availability, derivation, finality, etc.
- Contributions to open source blockchain clients or rollup stacks.
- Experience with fault proof systems or validity proofs.
- Knowledge of Bitcoin and EVM compatible chains.
- Experience with Docker, cloud providers, Prometheus and Grafana.
- Able to read and review Solidity (bridge and system contracts).
ROOTIES BENEFITS
At RootstockLabs, we don’t just offer a job, we offer a community. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
- Competitive compensation package and unique benefits designed to support your growth and well-being.
- 100% Remote Work from Europe & Latin America, with access to global CoWorking spaces.
- Work-Life Balance: Paid vacation and sick leave days.
- Continuous Learning: Access to training programs, language courses, and learning sponsorship annually.
- Unique Projects: Work with cutting‑edge blockchain technology in a global, diverse team.
ABOUT ROOTSTOCKLABS
RootstockLabs is a key contributor to Rootstock, Bitcoin's Financial Infrastructure for lending, yield, and onchain capital markets. We build and commercialize the institutional infrastructure that turns Bitcoin into productive capital.
What we do: Develop and commercialize Bitcoin-backed lending, tokenized real-world assets, and onchain financial strategies.
Who we work with: Leading custodians, asset managers, and financial institutions.
Why it matters: Rootstock is secured by 80%+ of Bitcoin's hash power and has run with 100% uptime since 2018 (bringing Ethereum-style programmability to the world's hardest money).
Proof it works: 200+ dApps live on Rootstock, from BTCFi protocols like Sushiswap and Oku to institutional names like Mercado Bitcoin, Animoca Brands, and Paystand.
Senior Protocol Engineer employer: RootstockLabs
RootstockLabs offers a unique opportunity to work on the cutting edge of Bitcoin investment, allowing employees to engage in high-impact projects that bridge traditional finance with cryptocurrency. The company fosters a collaborative environment where team members can take ownership of their roles and contribute to innovative financial products. With a focus on professional growth and regulatory compliance, RootstockLabs provides a dynamic workplace for those looking to excel in the evolving landscape of digital assets.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Protocol Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at RootstockLabs or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to RootstockLabs.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like RootstockLabs.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like RootstockLabs that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Protocol Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at RootstockLabs.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at RootstockLabs and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at RootstockLabs
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If RootstockLabs uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
