Principal Engineer

Location: Remote

Reports to: Head of Engineering

Compensation: $190K–$230K base + equity

About ZODL

ZODL (Zcash Open Development Lab) is building the software necessary to onboard billions of users to Zcash. Created by the original inventors and developers of the Zcash protocol, we deliver world-class UX for ZEC on top of our core protocol work.

Our product suite includes Zodl mobile (iOS and Android) with built-in cross-chain swaps, and Zallet, a full-node Zcash wallet written in Rust, built as a replacement for the zcashd wallet. On the horizon: Zodl Vault (a desktop wallet for multisig, inheritance, and institutional use cases), web-based wallets, and headless/agentic wallet infrastructure.

What You'll Do

We are seeking a pragmatic, high-output Rust engineer to build and maintain ZODL’s core infrastructure and wallet stack. This role focuses on shipping secure, reliable systems while collaborating closely with protocol and cryptography experts.

You don’t need deep cryptographic expertise — but you must be able to implement sensitive systems correctly and understand the why behind them.

• Build and maintain Zallet (our CLI wallet) and Zcash’s Rust-based core libraries

• Implement protocol features based on existing specifications and guidance

• Developing and maintaining specifications to enhance, document, and support security analysis of the Zcash protocol, either led by ZODL or in collaboration with third-party developers.

• Develop wallet infrastructure and features

• Improve performance, reliability, and developer ergonomics of core systems

• Support downstream teams (e.g. Zodl mobile) with developing features, and investigating issues

• Participate in code reviews, testing, and release processes

• Respond to bugs and security issues with urgency

The Core Engineer will report to the Head of Engineering. The Engineering Team now encompasses both Core and Zodl wallet development. Although this role will primarily involve the former, you will also be collaborating closely with developers working on the Zodl wallet.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Experience with Rust, and with developing secure and reliable code in modern programming languages similar to Rust, Swift, Kotlin, and Go.

• Experience building reliable, secure backend or systems-level software

• Ability to work from technical specifications

• Solid understanding of security fundamentals

• Experience with testing, debugging, and performance optimization

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment

• Experience with cryptography libraries or blockchain systems

• Deep knowledge of cryptography is not required, but a willingness to learn and an appreciation for the importance of security are essential.

• Familiarity with Zcash concepts

• Experience with mobile-integrated backends or SDKs

• Open-source contributions

Key Traits

• Pragmatic and delivery-focused

• Strong ownership and accountability

• Knows when to ask for review vs. push forward

• Comfortable operating with incomplete information