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Software Engineer - Layer 1

NEXUS

NEXUS

Software Engineering
San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted on May 20, 2025

About Nexus

Nexus is building a world supercomputer by leveraging the latest advancements in AI, cryptography, engineering, and science. Our team of world-leading experts is developing and deploying the Nexus Layer 1 blockchain and Nexus zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine) in support of our mission to enable the Verifiable Internet.

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

We are headquartered in San Francisco, and this role will be in-person with the rest of the Nexus team.

Software Engineer - Layer 1

The Layer 1 team is a full-stack team working on the Nexus Layer 1 blockchain, an EVM-compatible blockchain powered by zkVM. This team is for bold engineers who thrive across the stack and can balance security and speed. This is a 0 to 100 project.

Responsibilities

  • Work alongside the research team on protocol design, ensuring security, scalability, and liveness.

  • Implement and maintain the blockchain client software (e.g., Rust, Golang).

  • Manage blockchain artifacts, including RPC endpoints, explorers, faucets, and financial integrations.

  • Integrate zkVM and verifiable compute R&D into the chain (e.g., Rust).

  • Write and audit smart contracts in Solidity, ensuring security best practices.

  • Collaborate with Nexus partners to build and expand the ecosystem.

Requirements

  • Experience building Layer 1 blockchains or deep expertise in distributed systems.

  • Proficiency in Rust, Golang, or equivalent.

  • Strong passion for consensus protocols, ZK, and cryptography.

  • Open-source contributions and a desire to work in an open, transparent environment.

  • Embrace AI as a core part of how you work, think, and build.

Bonus Points

  • Advanced degree in a technical field.

  • Experience with programming competitions or math Olympiads.

  • Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to spearhead new projects.

  • Experience with zero-knowledge proofs and zkVM concepts.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and generous equity compensation.

  • Health insurance for employees and their dependents.

  • Daily lunch and dinner provided at SF headquarters.

  • Company-paid travel to events and conferences.

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