What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Engineer, Research & Development position at Charles Schwab Inc.?
Your Opportunity
At Schwab, you are empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together.
Schwab Technology Services (STS) Research & Development team is responsible for exploring innovative technologies and identifying ways that organizations throughout Schwab might benefit from their application.
We are seeking a new member of Schwab’s Research & Development team with experience in blockchain and digital assets, while also possessing a strong foundation in general software development and architecture. A key area of exploration will include crypto wallet capabilities—such as security, infrastructure, and usability—given their growing relevance to the future of digital finance. In addition, the candidate may also contribute to other R&D initiatives, including in areas like AI/ML/GenAI, Spatial Computing, Cloud Native Design, or Digital Trust.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives on innovation, brings a strong architectural mindset, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and wants to shape the future of financial services technology.
- Act as a technical thought leader, driving innovation across multiple R&D initiatives through development of proof-of-concepts
- Clearly explain complex technical ideas to business partners in a way that helps them understand the impact and possibilities, bridging the gap between tech and strategy
- Design and prototype solutions for wallet infrastructure, private key management, multi-signature and threshold cryptography, and integration with traditional financial systems
- Evaluate different blockchain architectures, smart contract frameworks, and tokenization methodologies to assess their applicability to our business
- Stay at the forefront of blockchain innovation, identifying new opportunities in digital identity, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized securities, and interoperability
- Contribute to the company’s blockchain and digital assets strategy through whitepapers, presentations, and internal education initiatives
- Engage with industry consortia, regulators, and technology partners to understand emerging trends and best practices
- Support other R&D initiatives in areas like AI/ML, cloud-native application design, spatial computing, and digital identity/trust, contributing architectural insight and cross-domain thinking
What you have
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field
- 10 years progressive software development & engineering experience, building technical skills across a breadth of technologies
- 10 years demonstrating strong analytical skills and ability to translate research findings into real-world applications
- 10 years proficiency with multiple programming languages such as Solidity, Rust, Python, Go, or Java
- 3 years of experience in blockchain development, crypto asset management, or related fields
- 3 years experience in one or more emerging technology area outside of crypto technology: e.g. AI/ML/GenAI, Spatial Computing, Cloud Native Design, Digital Trust
- 3 years experience developing secure wallet solutions, including key management (MPC, HSMs, cold storage, custodial vs. non-custodial models)
- 3 years familiarity with tokenization of assets, including securities, stablecoins, and smart contracts (ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155, etc.)
- 3 years experience with cryptographic protocols, DeFi applications, and blockchain interoperability solutions
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in computer science or related field
- Full-stack product development experience
- Experience within fintech, financial institutions, or technology-driven R&D teams
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks related to digital assets (SEC, FINRA, AML/KYC, MiCA)
- Prior experience working at a financial institution, fintech, or blockchain startup
- Hands-on experience with Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), Decentralized Identity (DID), or Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
- Understanding of financial services infrastructure, including payments, settlements, and capital markets
