Protocol Engineer

Job title: Protocol Engineer

About the Role

As a Protocol Engineer, you'll work on the core infrastructure that underpins decentralized interoperability. You will design and implement core protocol components that operate across heterogeneous chains with rigorous security and performance constraints. You’ll be part of a deeply technical team working across LayerZero’s protocol and smart contract surface, contributing to novel cross-chain primitives and helping shape the architecture of systems used by some of the most demanding applications in Web3.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement core protocol contracts and logic on both EVM and non-EVM chains (e.g., message validators, data availability mechanisms, proof verification).
• Collaborate with various teams to develop new system primitives, validate security assumptions, and improve protocol robustness.
• Own components across their lifecycle: architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, and iteration.
• Contribute to high-assurance engineering practices: formal verification, invariant testing, simulation frameworks, fuzzing, and audit readiness.
• Investigate emerging cryptographic techniques and novel designs to enhance trust minimization and scalability.
• Optimize for correctness and safety in gas-constrained environments, with an emphasis on upgradeability, modularity, and composability.
• Keep pace with changes across LayerZero-supported chains to ensure cross-chain compatibility and performance.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong smart contract development experience in Solidity or equivalent languages, with a focus on correctness, modularity, and gas efficiency.
• Have built protocol-level infrastructure: bridges, interoperability layers, state sync systems, light clients, or equivalent.
• Write clear, well-tested, and secure code and have strong opinions on security models and upgradeability patterns.
• Familiar with distributed systems fundamentals and have good intuition around adversarial conditions in blockchain environments.
• Experience working with workflow engines.
• Previous experience with blockchain technologies, smart contracts, and decentralized finance is a strong plus.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary for this position ranges from $120,000/year up to $250,000/year. Salary is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. LayerZero is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer LayerZero Labs is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. LayerZero Labs is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.