Lead Protocol Engineer (Go / Cryptography)

About this Role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Protocol Engineer) to contribute to a next-generation Digital Asset Platform designed to solve the most critical challenge in institutional finance: achieving strict regulatory compliance without compromising transaction confidentiality. As a Lead Protocol Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting the core settlement engine. You will work at the intersection of distributed systems and applied cryptography, translating complex mathematical proofs into high-performance, production-grade Go code.

Why Join Us?

Work on "Hard" Problems: You won't be building another yield farm copycat. You'll solve fundamental privacy/compliance contradictions in the global financial system

High-Impact Engineering: Your code will secure high-value institutional transactions

Technical Autonomy: You'll play a key role in architectural decisions, choosing the right curves, libraries, and design patterns

Responsibilities

Core Protocol Development: Architect and build a custom blockchain application using Go, Cosmos SDK, and CometBFT (Tendermint)

Cryptographic Implementation: Implement and optimize privacy-preserving primitives, specifically Pedersen Commitments and Bulletproofs (Range Proofs), ensuring no trusted setup is required

Consensus Customization: Engineer custom ABCI++ extensions (specifically PrepareProposal and Vote Extensions) to implement an on-chain Multi-Party Computation (MPC) mixing network

State Machine Design: Design a custom KVStore state machine that manages homomorphic encrypted balances (Elliptic Curve points) instead of plaintext integers

Performance Engineering: Optimize cryptographic operations (scalar multiplication, point addition) for low latency and high throughput in a distributed environment

Auditing Infrastructure: Build secure off-chain query layers and "view key" mechanisms that allow for granular, permissioned regulatory auditing

Required Qualifications:

5+ years of Specialty Software Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

3+ years of experience in backend or systems programming, with expert-level proficiency in Go (Golang)

6+ months of experience with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

1+ year of experience withBFT consensus algorithms, P2P networking, and state replication; reliable, distributed systems experience

Desired Qualifications:

Blockchain Core: Deep experience with Cosmos SDK and CometBFT . Comfort building custom modules and modifying consensus logic, not just deploying smart contracts

Pedersen Commitments (Homomorphic encryption properties)

Zero-Knowledge Proofs (specifically Bulletproofs or Sigma protocols)

Math-to-Code: Demonstrated ability to read academic whitepapers/preprints and translate mathematical specifications into functioning code

Experience with MPC (Multi-Party Computation) or Verifiable Secret Sharing (VSS) schemes

Familiarity with the Ristretto255 curve or libraries like gnark-crypto

Background in FinTech, payment systems, or high-frequency trading platforms

Understanding of the Account Model vs. UTXO Model trade-offs in privacy-preserving ledgers

Job Expectations:

This position offers a hybrid work schedule

Relocation assistance is not available for this position

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Locations:

194 Wood Ave S, Iselin, New Jersey

3075 Loyalty Circle, Columbus, Ohio

1755 Grant Street, Concord, California

Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.

$159,000.00 - $305,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs ( for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

Health benefits

401(k) Plan

Paid time off

Disability benefits

Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance

Parental leave

Critical caregiving leave

Discounts and savings

Commuter benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Scholarships for dependent children

Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:

11 Mar 2026

Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Equal Opportunity

Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo ( .

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy ( to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.

Req Number: R-520293