Applied Cryptography Engineer (Zero-Knowledge Proofs) at Matter Labs

Applied Cryptography Engineer (Zero-Knowledge Proofs) Matter Labs 💼 Tech ⏰ Full Time 🌍 Remote or hub in Portugal

771 days ago ✅ 20 applications

About the Job

At Matter Labs, we are building zkSync: a blockchain scaling solution secured purely by cutting-edge cryptography. Our mission is to scale Ethereum to billions of users, fully preserving its most valuable properties — permissionlessness, trustlessness, and resilience, — in order to protect and enhance global economic freedom.

We hold a strong opinion that zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) is the only technology today that can achieve this goal. We are also proud to be the pioneer of the ZKP tech on Ethereum, and one of the few companies in the world with strong expertise in this field. Our contributions over the last 3 years include the first ZK rollup ever built, the first implementation of recursive ZK proofs on Ethereum, and the world’s first practical FPGA-based ZKP accelerator. Most recently, we launched a zkEVM testnet, making zkSync the first ZK rollup capable of executing native Ethereum smart contracts.

Across all hires we make at Matter Labs, regardless of role or team, we look for signals that a candidate will thrive in a culture like ours, where we value freedom, ownership mindset, and meritocracy.

The Role
We are looking for talented cryptographers or developers with a strong math background to join our core team. Your task scope will include the design and implementation of the latest zero-knowledge proof systems and cryptographic protocols (SNARKs, STARKs, Bulletproofs, etc).

You will have a chance to attend major cryptography conferences and work with the world’s top scientists in the field.

Task complexity ranges from implementing Poseidon hash function to building a full ZK proof system like RedShift.

Your Profile
– Strong background in math / cryptography / information security (although most people in our crypto team hold a PhD in cryptography or physics, we do not strictly require a formal academic degree)
– Proficiency in Rust, C++, Golang or Python. We are working primarily with Rust, but prior experience with this language is not mandatory
– Ownership- and results-driven mindset
Excellent English
We expect you to independently conduct research in your area of ownership. Please only apply if you feel capable to implement protocols similar to the ones mentioned above on your own from analysing the scientific papers.

The Offer
You will work on a deeply mission-driven project, making a significant contribution to the greater economic and political freedom globally. All of our code is open source.

We are a fast growing startup in the world’s fastest growing industry. We offer highly competitive cash and equity compensation.

We respect every team member as an individual. We encourage healthy work/life balance without excessive overtime. We will provide you with anything we can to help you grow professionally, be productive and happy.

We are a remote-first, results-only organisation. Most of the team is based in Europe, and we currently only consider candidates located between EST (UTC-5) and ICT (UTC+7). You are expected to adjust your schedule, work and communication methods to such an environment.

About zkSync
zkSync is a ZK rollup, a Layer-2 scaling solution that preserves the security properties of the underlying blockchain by leveraging the latest generation of succinct zero-knowledge proofs.

About Matter Labs
Matter Labs is the pioneer of zero-knowledge proof tech on Ethereum. The company has launched the first-ever public ZK rollup prototype in early 2019, was the first to implement recursive ZK proofs on Ethereum, and created the world’s first practical FPGA-based hardware for ZKP acceleration in 2020. Matter Labs recently launched a zkEVM testnet, making zkSync the first ZK rollup capable of executing native Ethereum smart contracts.

Matter Labs’ team is rooted in the belief that cryptography and blockchain are essential technologies for protecting and fostering freedom globally. They enable mutually distrusting counterparts to collaborate without relying on authorities or third parties. Blockchains enabled by zero-knowledge proofs promise a fairer and more efficient global digital economy.

Project homepage: https://zksync.io
Our mission, values, and culture
How and why we work on zkSync: Matter Labs Team Handbook
Matter Labs Engineering Handbook
About zero-knowledge proofs: https://github.com/matter-labs/awesome-zero-knowledge-proofs