Staff Engineer, AvalancheGo
"About The Role"
About This Role
This is a rare opportunity to work at the protocol layer of a next-generation blockchain network, built by Cornell computer scientists and shaped by veterans from Wall Street and early web3 pioneers. As a Staff Engineer on the AvalancheGo team, you'll tackle deep technical challenges in distributed systems, consensus mechanisms, and high-throughput network design—directly influencing how millions of users interact with decentralized finance and permissionless applications.
What You'll Be Doing
Design, build, and optimize core components of AvalancheGo, the primary node implementation powering the Avalanche blockchain
Architect scalable solutions for consensus protocols, peer-to-peer networking, and distributed ledger performance
Collaborate cross-functionally with protocol researchers, smart contract engineers, and infrastructure teams to ship resilient crypto-grade software
Drive technical decisions that impact throughput, security, and decentralization across the Avalanche ecosystem
Mentor engineers and elevate coding standards across the distributed systems team
Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in a live, high-stakes blockchain environment
What We're Looking For
7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with deep expertise in distributed systems or blockchain infrastructure
Strong proficiency in Go (Golang) or similar systems-level languages
Proven experience building and scaling backend systems that demand high availability and fault tolerance
Solid understanding of consensus algorithms, cryptography, or peer-to-peer network design
Excellent communication skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven crypto environment
A genuine passion for web3, decentralization, and reshaping how value moves globally
Bonus Points
Direct experience contributing to blockchain protocols or validator node software
Familiarity with Avalanche, Ethereum, or other smart contract platforms
Open-source contributions to distributed ledger or DeFi projects
Background in applied cryptography or formal verification methods
Why Join Us
Competitive compensation package including equity and token-based incentives
Flexible, outcomes-driven culture that values deep technical craftsmanship
A front-row seat to building infrastructure that underpins real-world decentralized finance adoption
Continuous learning opportunities alongside leading minds in blockchain research and engineering
Salary Range
$271,844.44 - $271,844.44
Ready to Apply?
To submit your application for this position, please visit Ava Labs's official website and follow their application process.