About Partner Chains:
Partner Chains is a venture within IOHK focused on developing an open source blockchain toolkit which will allow for easy bootstrapping of blockchains that are secure, and natively enables multi chain transactions. Our mission is to make it easy for blockchain developers to focus on their core business, with interoperability as the foundational capability of the protocol layer.
We aim to empower developers to create secure, transparent solutions that enable multi chain transactions without relying on financial intermediaries. By building robust protocols and tools, we foster financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and return control to users.
What the role involves:
We are seeking a hands-on Chief Architect who will be the most senior technical strategist in our organization, owning the architectural vision for the Partner Chains protocol and innovating in the cross-chain interoperability space, using advanced cryptographic techniques and contributing code. In this role, you will own our blockchain's technical direction, collaborating closely with research scientists, engineers, and cryptographers to ensure scalability, security, and strategic alignment. This is a well funded venture opportunity for the entrepreneurially minded who have a founders mindset, and want to build something with impact.
- Define and lead the architectural vision for the Partner Chains Substrate node development, ensuring high standards of scalability, performance, and security.
- Architect a novel cross-chain protocol leveraging advanced cryptographic techniques, such as Threshold Signature Schemes (TSS), to drive secure and efficient cross-chain interactions.
- Deep understanding of how cross chain transactions, including well known messaging protocols such as IBC, wallet based implements like HTLC
- Guide the integration of cryptographic solutions within our blockchain architecture, ensuring security best practices are followed.
- Mentor engineering teams on best practices for Rust development, blockchain architecture, and advanced cryptographic implementation.
Who you are:
- 15+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in an architectural or technical leadership role, within blockchain or distributed systems.
- A computer science or other STEM degree is preferred
- Strong expertise in Rust, with extensive experience designing scalable blockchain architectures using the Substrate framework.
- Understanding of cryptographic techniques, especially Threshold Signature Schemes (TSS), and their application in cross-chain protocols.
- Deep experience working with Ethereum or other blockchain ecosystems, including familiarity with their architecture, smart contracts, and cross-chain challenges.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams, driving protocol design and implementation to meet strategic goals.
- A passion for cross-chain interoperability and innovation; experience with Cosmos IBC or other bridging technologies is a significant advantage.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Are you an IOHKer?
Do you find yourself questioning the status quo? Do you tinker with ideas and long to turn those ideas into solutions? Are you able to spark thoughtful debates, bringing out the inquisitiveness in others? Does the promise of continuously growing excite you? Then get ready to reimagine everything you thought wasn’t possible because that’s what it means to be an IOHKer - we don’t set limits, we break them.
- Remote work
- Laptop reimbursement
- New starter package to buy hardware essentials (headphones, monitor, etc)
- Learning & Development opportunities
- Competitive PTO and Sick Leave plan
At IOG, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Top Skills
What We Do
Founded in 2015, IOHK is one of the world’s pre-eminent blockchain research and engineering companies, best known for the Cardano blockchain platform
We are a fully decentralized, remote-working organization committed to the highest principles of academic rigour and evidence-based software development. The company builds high-assurance blockchain products for public and private sector clients.
Our goal is simple – to fuel our drive to be best in class by giving you the opportunity, resources and support to deliver your finest work to date. You’ll work with some exceptionally talented and friendly individuals who are always open to new ideas and ways of working.
IOHK is an advocate of decentralized remote working, with over 300 people working in more than 50 countries. Everyone has a different skill set, a different culture, and is at a different stage in their life. We aim to make collaboration between diverse people fun, exciting, and always rewarding. Many companies say they ‘think outside the box’ – for IOHK it’s more, ‘we think outside the geography’.
