What are the responsibilities and job description for the Software Engineer - Layer 1 position at Nexus?
About Nexus
Nexus is building a world supercomputer by leveraging the latest advancements in cryptography, engineering, and science. Our team of experts is developing and deploying the Nexus Layer 1, the Nexus Network, and Nexus zkVM in support of our mission to enable the Verifiable Internet.
Nexus raised $25M in Series A funding, co-led by Lightspeed and Pantera, with participation from Dragonfly, SV Angel, and more.
We are headquartered in San Francisco, and this role will be in-person with the rest of the Nexus team.
Software Engineer - Layer 1
The Layer 1 team is a full-stack team working on the Nexus Layer 1 blockchain, an EVM-compatible blockchain powered by zkVM. This team is for bold engineers who thrive across the stack and can balance security and speed. This is a 0 to 100 project.
Responsibilities
Nexus is building a world supercomputer by leveraging the latest advancements in cryptography, engineering, and science. Our team of experts is developing and deploying the Nexus Layer 1, the Nexus Network, and Nexus zkVM in support of our mission to enable the Verifiable Internet.
Nexus raised $25M in Series A funding, co-led by Lightspeed and Pantera, with participation from Dragonfly, SV Angel, and more.
We are headquartered in San Francisco, and this role will be in-person with the rest of the Nexus team.
Software Engineer - Layer 1
The Layer 1 team is a full-stack team working on the Nexus Layer 1 blockchain, an EVM-compatible blockchain powered by zkVM. This team is for bold engineers who thrive across the stack and can balance security and speed. This is a 0 to 100 project.
Responsibilities
- Work alongside the research team on protocol design, ensuring security, scalability, and liveness.
- Implement and maintain the blockchain client software (e.g., Rust, Golang).
- Manage blockchain artifacts, including RPC endpoints, explorers, faucets, and financial integrations.
- Integrate zkVM and verifiable compute R&D into the chain (e.g., Rust).
- Write and audit smart contracts in Solidity, ensuring security best practices.
- Collaborate with Nexus partners to build and expand the ecosystem.
- Experience building Layer 1 blockchains or deep expertise in distributed systems.
- Proficiency in Rust, Golang, or equivalent.
- Strong passion for consensus protocols, ZK, and cryptography.
- Open-source contributions and a desire to work in an open, transparent environment.
- Advanced degree in a technical field.
- Experience with programming competitions or math Olympiads.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to spearhead new projects.
- Experience with zero-knowledge proofs and zkVM concepts.
- Competitive salary and generous equity compensation.
- Health insurance for employees and their dependents.
- Daily lunch and dinner provided at SF headquarters.
- Company-paid travel to events and conferences.
