Senior Software Engineer, Research

Circle is a financial technology company at the epicenter of the emerging internet of money, where value can finally travel like other digital data — globally, nearly instantly and less expensively than legacy settlement systems. This ground-breaking new internet layer opens up previously unimaginable possibilities for payments, commerce and markets that can help raise global economic prosperity and enhance inclusion. Our infrastructure – including USDC, a blockchain-based dollar – helps businesses, institutions and developers harness these breakthroughs and capitalize on this major turning point in the evolution of money and technology.

What you’ll be part of:

Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do. As we grow as an organization, we're expanding into some of the world's strongest jurisdictions. Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: Multistakeholder, Mindfulness, Driven by Excellence and High Integrity. Circlers are consistently evolving in a remote world where strength in numbers fuels team success. We have built a flexible and diverse work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.

Circle is at the forefront of blockchain innovation, driving the adoption of stablecoins and digital assets. Our mission is to create a more open financial system by maximizing blockchain technology to deliver secure and scalable solutions.

What You'll Be Responsible For

As a Blockchain Research Software Engineer, you will focus on prototyping and developing smart contracts and implementing on-chain primitives, with a strong emphasis on stablecoins and their role in the digital economy. You will work on pioneering blockchain research, contribute to open-source projects, and drive innovation in decentralized financial infrastructure.

What You'll Work On

• Design and prototype smart contracts for stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) use cases.
• Conduct in-depth research on blockchain protocols, consensus mechanisms, and their implications for stablecoins.
• Collaborate on projects with academic institutions, blockchain foundations, and industry partners.
• Analyze on-chain data and blockchain transaction patterns to optimize protocol performance.
• Contribute to publications in leading blockchain research journals and present findings at industry conferences.
• Stay updated on advancements in blockchain, stablecoins, cryptography, and distributed systems, sharing knowledge across teams.
• Develop security standard methodologies and audits for smart contracts to ensure robust and secure implementations.

What You'll Bring to Circle

Core Requirements:

• Proven experience in blockchain smart contract development, with proficiency in Ethereum and related tools.
• Strong programming skills in Python, Julia, and Solidity.
• Demonstrated ability to apply AI tools for programming with experience in vibe coding.
• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred) in Computer Science or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Research experience demonstrated through published papers, projects, or grants.
• Interest and experience in stablecoin design, implementation, or regulatory frameworks.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Preferred Requirements:

• Prior contributions to AI and machine learning projects in relation to blockchain or DeFi.
• Experience as a developer at Web3-native firms.
• Experience/familiarity with Slack, Apple MacOS and GSuite.
• Familiarity with generative AI models (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) and crafting effective prompts.

What We Offer

• A collaborative environment at the forefront of blockchain and digital asset innovation.
• Opportunities to lead cutting-edge research projects and engage with industry leaders.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including support for continued learning and professional development.

Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core. We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.

Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.

Salary Range:

$147,500 - $195,000

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Circle. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.

Should you require accommodations or assistance in our interview process because of a disability, please reach out to accommodations@circle.com for support. We respect your privacy and will connect with you separately from our interview process to accommodate your needs.

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