About the job
Location: Remote (Czech Republic)
Reports to: Head of Engineering
Compensation: $190K–$230K base salary plus equity
About Zcash Open Development Lab (ZODL)
ZODL builds core software to support the growth and usability of Zcash. The team includes the original inventors and developers of the Zcash protocol. Their mission: make ZEC accessible to billions, with a focus on user experience and ongoing protocol innovation.
Current products include Zodl mobile (iOS and Android) with built-in cross-chain swaps, and Zallet, a full-node Zcash wallet written in Rust that is set to replace the legacy zcashd wallet. Upcoming projects feature Zodl Vault (a desktop wallet for multisignature, inheritance, and institutional needs), web wallets, and frameworks for headless or agentic wallet solutions.
Role Overview
The Principal Cryptography & Protocol Engineer leads security-focused work across ZODL’s protocols, specifications, and infrastructure. This position calls for deep expertise in cryptography, with responsibility for reviewing and strengthening the cryptographic foundations of Zcash-related software. The goal: maintain protocol accuracy, privacy, and long-term security.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead detailed cryptographic reviews and audits of ZODL’s specifications and software implementations.
- Evaluate security and privacy aspects of protocol changes, wallet workflows, and cross-chain features.
- Contribute to Zcash protocol specifications (ZIPs) and internal design documents, offering feedback and improvements.
- Identify and address privacy risks, cryptographic vulnerabilities, and edge-case issues.
- Work closely with engineering teams to verify correct implementation of cryptographic primitives.
- Participate in protocol design and upgrades, shaping new features and improvements.
- Collaborate with external researchers, auditors, and others in the broader Zcash ecosystem.
- Advise internal teams on cryptography and security best practices.
- Help coordinate responses to security incidents and disclosures as needed.
