Core Protocol Engineer
Ritual is seeking a Core Protocol Engineer to join our team in building a sovereign execution layer for AI. Our private testnet is already live, and we are developing the first blockchain custom-built to support AI-native operations. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, enabling a new class of applications.
As a Core Protocol Engineer, you will design and implement extensions to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) clients, such as Geth and Reth, to support stateful precompiles. Your responsibilities will include developing and optimizing transaction processing pipelines for heterogeneous workloads, implementing novel mechanism design primitives in collaboration with our research team, and contributing to core protocol development and Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). Additionally, you will design robust testing frameworks for execution client modifications.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of EVM internals and Ethereum execution clients, with strong experience in implementing and optimizing precompiles. Proficiency in Go and/or Rust for systems programming, as well as Solidity, is required. A thorough knowledge of Ethereum's roadmap and active participation in protocol discussions are essential. Experience with parallel execution patterns in blockchain systems, a strong understanding of consensus mechanisms and blockchain architecture, and the ability to read, understand, and implement EIPs and protocol specifications are also necessary. A proven track record of shipping production-grade blockchain systems, the ability to act quickly under high-pressure scenarios, and excellent communication skills are highly valued.
We offer a highly competitive compensation package, including an annual discretionary bonus and an optimized tax structure compared to the vast majority of web3 startups. Our benefits are among the top 1% across the web3 startup space, with 100% of premiums covered on the highest quality healthcare plans and an aggressive company 401(k) match. The role is fully remote and/or hybrid, depending on your preference, and includes opportunities to participate in virtual and in-person events.