Senior or Staff Software Engineer, Blockchain Infrastructure
TRM Labs
We believe that a blockchain-based global economy can improve the lives of billions of people. But the same properties that make cryptocurrencies a force for good — permissionless, programmable, and instantaneous — can also make them susceptible to criminal and fraudulent activity, which causes harm to our financial system at unprecedented speed and scale.
At TRM, we're on a mission to build trust in digital assets, because the promise of crypto is too valuable to be impeded by bad actors. We provide a blockchain intelligence platform to law enforcement, financial institutions, and crypto firms to assist in the detection and prevention of cryptocurrency fraud and financial crime. Our vision is to build a company that can sustainably deliver on our mission for decades to come, enabling consumers to transact safely and securely on the blockchain.
TRM’s Blockchain Infrastructure team is responsible for monitoring the flows of data on blockchain networks. We are looking for a Senior Engineer with a deep understanding of (or interest to learn) blockchain protocol development that will lead projects from research and ideation to feasibility in production. In this role, you will have the opportunity to expand your existing expertise in software engineering and applied research, and ultimately help build a safer financial system for billions of people.
The impact you’ll have here:
- Architect and build highly scalable, reliable, and data-heavy distributed systems that will integrate a variety of data sources
- Build performant, and reliable production-grade systems, from whiteboard to production
- Work across the stack (db, cache, code, deploy) to address technical challenges anywhere in the system
- Mentor fellow team members and participate in code reviews and design reviews
- Collaborate cross-functionally with data scientists, designers, and product managers to define and implement services.
- Create novel approaches to tackling blockchain-specific challenges around scale, security, and privacy.
What we’re looking for:
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or related field
- Experience building real-time and distributed system architecture, from whiteboard to production
- Strong understanding or interest in acquiring knowledge in any Blockchain at the protocol level and Networks
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Clear documentation and succinct communication are very important.
- Ability to work independently, be proactive, prioritize, communicate, and set and meet goals
- Mastery of time management skills and attention to detail
- Flexibility in work schedule to coordinate amongst global timezones
- Excellent intrapersonal skills to foster relationships with developers
About TRM's Engineering Levels:
Engineer: Responsible for helping to define project milestones and executing small decision decisions independently with the appropriate tradeoffs between simplicity, readability, and performance. Provides mentorship to junior engineers, and enhances operational excellence through tech debt reduction and knowledge sharing.
Senior Engineer: Successfully designs and documents system improvements and features for an OKR/project from the ground up. Consistently delivers efficient and reusable systems, optimizes team throughput with appropriate tradeoffs, mentors team members, and enhances cross-team collaboration through documentation and knowledge sharing.
Staff Engineer: Drives scoping and execution of one or more OKRs/projects that impact multiple teams. Partners with stakeholders to set the team vision and technical roadmaps for one or more products. Is a role model and mentor to the entire engineering organization. Ensures system health and quality with operational reviews, testing strategies, and monitoring rigor.
The following represents the expected range of compensation for this role:
- The estimated base salary range for this role is $200,000 - $255,000.
- Additionally, this role may be eligible to participate in TRM’s equity plan.
- Please note – we factor in the different costs for geographies outside the United States.
Our Culture
Culture at TRM isn't a buzzword; it's our daily ethos. Our culture is defined by how we make decisions, how we execute, and how we treat each other. We've distilled our culture into 18 leadership principles, grouped into three categories:
- Impact-Oriented Trailblazer: When making decisions, we put customers first, use 80/20 to drive speed & focus, and adapt quickly to new information.
- Master Craftsperson: In execution, we prioritize speed, high standards, and distributed ownership.
- Inspiring Colleague: As teammates, we value humility, candor, and a one-team mindset.
Building a Career
Joining TRM means being part of a mission-driven team. Our diverse team comprises industry leaders, from crypto experts to machine learning pioneers. At TRM, you'll experience:
- Purpose and Mission: Your work has real-world impact, from disrupting terrorist networks to returning stolen funds.
- Inspiring Colleagues: Collaborate with industry leaders and learn something new daily.
- Personal Growth: We're not just using technology; we're inventing it and taking category-defining products to market.
Work Environment
Being part of TRM means embracing:
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Remote First: Our headquarters is online. Tools like Zoom and Slack ensure seamless collaboration, but we also value in-person interactions, organizing regular meetups and offsites for team bonding.
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Asynchronous Communication: Clear communication is key in our decentralized setup. With team members in various time zones, we've mastered asynchronous communication with tools like Slack, Loom, and voice notes. We document meetings and decisions, promoting transparency and efficiency.
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High Ownership: Small teams drive big goals at TRM. Every team member has significant ownership and responsibility, fostering an environment of initiative and direct impact. While there's no strict clocking in or out, we expect team members to be available for meetings during standard working hours in their country, balancing personal schedules and team needs.
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TRM Speed: Our customers rely on TRM in active investigations — from cyberattacks to terrorist financing. We move “surprisingly fast” while maintaining a high bar in service of our customers and mission. This can feel both intense and rewarding. Our unique approach to projects emphasizes quick wins, rapid iterations, and constant feedback, ensuring we're always moving forward and adapting to changes.
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Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity at TRM encompasses backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Every day is an opportunity to learn from a colleague, whether they're a law enforcement expert or a tech pioneer.
Benefits and Perks
At TRM, we know that supporting our team members can take many forms. Our goal is to enable you to care for yourself, your family, and your community while eliminating stress through our diverse and curated benefits package for full-time employees.
- Remote-first work environment
- Regular team off-sites and retreats
- Competitive salaries and stock options
- Premium health, dental, and vision insurance
- FSA, HSA, and 401K programs
- Life & disability coverage
- Generous paid time for vacation, volunteering, sick leave, and parental leave
- Fitness, co-working, and home office reimbursements
- Fertility, professional coaching, and mental health resources
Join Us
Considering TRM? You're not just joining a company; you're joining a mission. Work alongside diverse, globally-minded colleagues and make a positive impact daily. We hope to have you on board as we strive for a safer financial system for all.
We encourage you to reach out even if your experience doesn't precisely match the job description. Do not worry about picking exactly the right job; we can always explore other options after starting the conversation. Your passion and interests will set you apart, especially if your background or career is unconventional. Join us!