At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security initiatives, manage tools, and ensure compliance across our innovative crypto platform.
- Company: Join Cryptio, a cutting-edge crypto back-office platform backed by top-tier investors.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility, 4% pension contributions, and private medical & dental insurance.
- Why this job: Take ownership of security from day one and grow into a leadership role in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in security engineering, CISSP certification, and strong cloud security knowledge required.
- Other info: Remote-first role, but UK-based candidates preferred for easy access to London and Paris hubs.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
Ethena Labs is actively building and deploying a suite of groundbreaking digital dollar products aiming to upgrade money into the internet era.
Our flagship product, USDe, is a synthetic dollar backed by digital assets, and takes the novel approach of using a delta-neutral hedged basis strategy to maintain its peg. This product scaled from zero to $15b in 18 months.
Expanding on this, iUSDe is designed specifically for traditional financial institutions, incorporating necessary compliance features to enable them to access the crypto-native rewards our protocol generates, in an institutional-friendly manner.
Ethena has also developed USDtb: a fiat backed GENIUS compliant stablecoin in partnership with BlackRock which has scaled to ~$2b.
These products are also offered in a whitelabel stablecoin offering where any application, chain, wallet or exchange can launch their own stablecoin on Ethena\’s back-end infrastructure.
Through these offerings, Ethena Labs is not just creating new financial products; we are building the foundational infrastructure for a more open, efficient, and interconnected global financial system.
Open job offerings will be focused on two new major product lines coming to market in the next few months.
The Role
As the Head of Security, you will lead and own the comprehensive security strategy for our Ethena. You will report to the CTO and collaborate with our Fractional CISO. Functionally you’ll be accountable for all day to day aspects of security, ensuring the protection of our assets, infrastructure, data, personnel, and facilities. This includes cybersecurity, blockchain security, physical security, and operational security.
This is a pivotal opportunity to build a security-first culture in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where DeFi innovations meet real-world risks. You will collaborate closely with Product Engineering, DeFi Engineering, Security Engineering, DevOps and non-engineering teams to embed security into every facet of our operations, from smart contract development to physical site protections. By driving compliance, incident response, and proactive threat mitigation, you’ll safeguard our users\’ funds, maintain regulatory alignment, and position the company for scalable growth in the evolving crypto landscape.
What You’ll Do
Develop and execute a holistic security strategy encompassing cybersecurity, blockchain security, physical security, and operational security, aligning with industry standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001) and DeFi-specific risks.
Oversee blockchain and smart contract security, including audits, formal verification, secure key management, and protections against exploits like reentrancy or flash loan attacks.
Build and enforce a robust cybersecurity framework, including threat detection systems (e.g., SIEM, IDS/IPS), secure DevOps practices, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments.
Manage physical security operations, including access controls, surveillance, executive protection programs, travel risk assessments, and site audits for offices, data centers, events, and key personnel residences.
Drive compliance and regulatory alignment, achieving milestones such as SOC 2 and ISO 270001; prepare for audits and liaise with regulators.
Establish incident response and crisis management plans, conducting simulations, drills, and rapid recovery for cyber, physical, or hybrid threats to minimize downtime and losses.
Foster a security-first culture through training, workshops, and integration of security‑by‑design principles across all teams.
Lead and scale the security team, hiring and mentoring Senior/Staff Security Engineers (and potentially physical security specialists), while overseeing the Security Engineering team.
Implement real‑time monitoring, threat intelligence, and performance metrics for digital and physical assets.
Manage security budgets, vendor relationships, and resources to optimize effectiveness.
Future‑prove security for growth, anticipating emerging threats in DeFi and adapting systems for new products, integrations, and expanded operations.
What We’re Looking For
10+ years of progressive experience in security leadership roles, with demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity, physical security, and risk management, preferably in fintech, crypto, or high‑tech environments.
Proven track record in developing and implementing comprehensive security strategies, including blockchain/DeFi security (e.g., smart contract auditing, cryptographic protocols) and physical protections (e.g., executive security, facility assessments).
Strong leadership skills with experience building and mentoring high‑performing teams, including oversight of engineers and coordination with cross‑functional stakeholders.
Expertise in incident response, crisis management, threat intelligence, and compliance frameworks (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, AML/KYC); experience achieving certifications is highly desirable.
Proficiency in secure software development, infrastructure security (e.g., cloud, Kubernetes, AWS), and tools for monitoring, automation, and vulnerability mitigation.
Excellent communication and collaboration abilities to convey complex security concepts to technical teams, executives, regulators, and non‑technical stakeholders.
Strategic thinker with adaptability in dynamic environments, strong problem‑solving, and a proactive approach to risk management.
Experience in budget and vendor management for security operations.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; advanced certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or similar are a plus.
Familiarity with DeFi‑specific risks and technologies is highly desirable.
Why Ethena Labs?
You’d be joining a group that has well established itself as one of the most successful crypto‑native company\’s of all time, a group with a mission to revolutionise decentralised finance and it\’s position in global finance.
Work alongside a passionate and innovative team that values collaboration and creativity.
Enjoy a flexible, remote‑friendly work environment with established opportunities for personal growth and learning.
If you subscribe to the mission of separating the dollar from the state, then we want to hear from you!
We look forward to receiving your application and will be in touch after having a chance to review.
In the meantime, here are some links to more information about Ethena Labs to help you check us out:
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Head of Security employer: Working Nomads
Contact Detail:
Working Nomads Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Security
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in security engineering, especially within the crypto space. Being able to discuss current issues and solutions during your interviews will show your passion and expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the crypto and security fields. Attend relevant meetups or webinars to connect with others who might have insights into the company culture at Cryptio or the specific challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your hands-on experience by discussing specific projects where you secured CI/CD pipelines or managed security tools. Real-world examples will help you stand out as a pragmatic engineer.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Cryptio’s clients and their needs. Understanding how your role as Head of Security can directly impact their operations will allow you to tailor your discussions and show that you’re aligned with the company's mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in security engineering, especially in a SaaS environment. Emphasise your hands-on skills and any certifications like CISSP that align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for security and how your pragmatic approach can benefit Cryptio. Mention specific experiences where you've successfully implemented security measures or led training programs.
Showcase Technical Skills: Detail your technical expertise in securing CI/CD pipelines, cloud security, and compliance frameworks. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to manage security tools and processes effectively.
Prepare for Interviews: Research Cryptio and its clients to understand their security challenges. Be ready to discuss how you would approach security in their context and prepare questions that show your interest in their operations and culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Working Nomads
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
As the Head of Security, you'll need to demonstrate your hands-on experience in security engineering. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've secured CI/CD pipelines or managed internal authentication systems. Highlight your practical skills and how they align with the role.
✨Understand the Company’s Security Needs
Research Cryptio's current security landscape and challenges. Familiarise yourself with their clients and the specific security requirements for financial institutions and crypto-native companies. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're ready to take ownership from day one.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to cloud security, secure software development, and compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since collaboration across teams is crucial, be prepared to showcase your communication skills. Share examples of how you've effectively worked with engineering, product, and operations teams to integrate security into processes. This will highlight your ability to lead and educate others on security best practices.