Senior Infrastructure Software Engineer

About Nexus

Nexus is innovating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and zero-knowledge cryptography to build a Layer 1 for the AI era. Our team of world-leading experts is developing the Nexus Layer 1 blockchain, Nexus zkVM, and other breakthrough products with the goal of creating a verifiable financial world.

Nexus has raised $25M in Series A funding from Lightspeed, Pantera, Dragonfly, SV Angel, and more.

Role Overview

Remote in New York or hybrid in San Francisco

Nexus is seeking a Senior Infrastructure Software Engineer — with the potential to grow into a Tech Lead — to design and scale the core infrastructure powering our Layer 1 blockchain and its first core application: a high-performance DEX enshrined in the L1 protocol.

This role requires deep expertise in low-latency distributed systems and the ability to deliver secure, production-grade infrastructure for financial applications. You’ll work closely with Product, Research, and Security to build a system that meets the performance, reliability, and fairness requirements of modern trading systems — in a decentralized context.

Responsibilities

  • Architect and implement low-latency, high-throughput financial infrastructure for Nexus’s Layer 1 and DEX.

  • Own major roadmap milestones: public testnet → mainnet → institutional-grade performance.

  • Optimize consensus and transaction pipelines for speed, determinism, and security.

  • Collaborate with cryptography and protocol teams to integrate cutting-edge zero-knowledge proofs into production systems.

  • Mentor mid-level engineers and establish engineering best practices for reliability, security, and observability.

  • Ensure high availability and fault tolerance for mission-critical financial systems.


What Success Looks Like

  • Mainnet launch with enterprise-grade reliability and sub-second transaction finality.

  • DEX achieves low-latency trade execution comparable to centralized systems while maintaining decentralization.

  • Engineering systems and tooling enable <10 min developer onboarding to first transaction.

  • High-frequency trading performance benchmarks met or exceeded.

  • Engineering team scaled while maintaining high velocity and code quality.

Requirements

  • 6–10+ years in software engineering, with at least 3+ years in infrastructure or systems roles.

  • Expertise in low-latency, high-throughput systems (e.g., HFT, distributed trading platforms, real-time financial exchanges).

  • Strong programming background in Rust (preferred), C++, Go, or similar systems languages.

  • Deep knowledge of network protocols, concurrency, and distributed systems.

  • Experience delivering secure, production-grade systems with measurable performance gains.

Bonus Points:

  • Previous experience in DeFi infrastructure, Layer 1 blockchains, or consensus protocols.

  • Familiarity with MEV prevention, transaction ordering, or fairness protocols.

  • Exposure to cryptography, zero-knowledge proofs, or formal verification.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary

  • Meaningful ownership in the Nexus protocol

  • Health insurance for employees and their dependents.

  • 401(k)

Why Join Us

  • Define the engineering strategy and technical foundation for the future of decentralized finance.

  • Work on bleeding-edge technology at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and zero-knowledge cryptography.

  • Shape the engineering culture, processes, and products at an early, high-impact stage.

  • Play a pivotal role in building the next generation of financial infrastructure on Nexus Layer-1.

Nexus is committed to diversity in our workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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Nexus

Location: California San Francisco United States

Posted: 03 October 2025

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