Software Engineer - Cryptography and Zero Knowledge

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 world.

Nexus has 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 an in-person, hybrid role with the rest of the Nexus team.

Software Engineer - Cryptography and Zero Knowledge

The Nexus zkVM is a modular, prover-optimized, fully-specified zero-knowledge virtual machine written in Rust, focusing on performance and security. This team works alongside researchers and engineers to push the limits of verifiable computation.

Learn more here: https://docs.nexus.xyz/zkvm/index.

We're looking for a highly skilled Lead Cryptography Engineer to join our team. As a Lead Cryptography Engineer, you'll be at the forefront of innovation, implementing cutting-edge zero-knowledge proof systems and other cryptographic protocols, as well as contributing robust, safe and high-performance production-grade code, primarily in Rust.
In particular, we seek candidates with an extremely strong mathematics background, and who are excited to shape the future of computation.

Responsibilities

• Implement in Rust cutting-edge high-performance zero-knowledge proof systems such as zkSNARKs / zkSTARKs, as well as vector/polynomial commitment schemes, lookup arguments, and arithmetic circuits.

• Participate in the design, analysis, and implementation of sound arithmetizations of cryptographic primitives and the RISC-V architecture.   

• Be at the frontiers of cryptography and contribute to the latest advancements in cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs research.

• Collaborate effectively with our research and engineering teams, ensuring seamless integration with the product, partners and clients.

Requirements

• Professional experience implementing cryptographic primitives used for zero-knowledge proofs and verifiable computation.

• Expertise in arithmetizing computations for use with programmable cryptography. Fluency in implementing circuits and/or QAPs.

• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.

• Successful experience working in close collaboration with cryptography and privacy researchers.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Willingness to embrace a high-energy startup mentality, and be ready to thrive in the dynamic and fast-paced landscape of the zero-knowledge industry and scientific advancements.

• Proficiency in Rust and/or expertise in other systems languages like C/C++/Go.

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

Bonus Points

• Advanced degree in a technical field.

• Experience working directly with any of the following technologies: STARKs, GKR, folding schemes, (P)IOPs, lookup arguments, lattice-based cryptography, or R1CS/AIR/Plonkish/CCS arithmetizations. 

• Entrepreneurial spirit with an interest in spearheading new projects.

• Publications at venues like CRYPTO, EUROCRYPT, USENIX Security, ACM CCS, IEEE S&P, NDSS, or other top conferences and journals.
  

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).