Senior Backend Engineer (Leading DeFi/MEV project)

About the Client

The client is on a mission to protect Ethereum users from MEV and optimize trade execution across DeFi. They achieve this through a suite of products including a leading intent-based DEX aggregator and an innovative MEV-blocking solution that secures, aggregates, and routes trades for optimal outcomes. They also fund values-aligned projects through a grants program.

The client consistently ranks among the top DEX aggregators by volume and is the largest intent-based exchange. Their MEV blocker protects trades from harmful MEV extraction and is widely integrated across Ethereum. They also operate the only live AMM designed to protect LPs from LVR (loss-versus-rebalancing).

With over 100 open-source repositories on GitHub, the client is transparent, community-driven, and committed to open-source principles. Their Dune Analytics dashboard showcases billions in cumulative trading volume and a rapidly growing user base. As they continue to scale, the client remains at the forefront of DeFi innovation prioritizing security, efficiency, and decentralization.

About the Role

Location: Fully remote, preference for Europe or remote within ±4 hours of CEST

Note: Not hiring from the US, Australia, or New Zealand

Position Type: Full-time contractor

The client is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Senior Backend Engineer to help build the next generation of decentralized trading protocols. Youll gain ownership of backend services and shape the design, creation, and execution of future features and products. The role includes working on technically complex off-chain services and developer-facing APIs, delivering high-quality, performant infrastructure to improve protocol-level functionality.

Tech Stack

• Backend: Rust, Tokio, Cargo, Git

• Infrastructure: Pulumi, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Grafana, Prometheus, Elasticsearch

• Other codebases: TypeScript, Python, Solidity

What Youll Do

• Architect and design off-chain services (auction protocol, orderbook) to support feature growth and rapidly evolving blockchain requirements

• Write concurrent backend systems in Rust, interact with Solidity smart contracts

• Participate in on-call rotation (additionally compensated) to ensure production system reliability

• Work closely with researchers and product team to ship features and solve challenging technical problems

• Deliver high-quality code from concept to production, with modern monitoring practices

• Conduct in-depth, constructive code reviews in an open-source environment

Who You Are

• 5+ years in systems-level programming (1+ year with Rust in production)

• Hands-on Web3 experience (ideally DeFi and Ethereum ecosystem)

• Strong computer science, programming, and algorithmic skills

• Skilled in operating, maintaining, and scaling complex backend systems

• Committed to code quality, observability, and testability

• Able to give technical direction to improve performance and code architecture

• Effective communicator and collaborative team player in remote environments

• Comfortable mentoring and providing engineering guidance

• Excited to gain deeper Ethereum experience

What They Offer

• Remote-first flexibility (option to join Lisbon hub or work globally)

• Token plan and equity upside

• Regular team gatherings and offsites

• Budget for conferences, learning, and hardware

• Flat structure with high ownership and minimal bureaucracy

• Flexible work and vacation policy

• High-impact role in a mission-driven organization