Founding Protocol Engineer - Prover Network

Prover Network is developing the infrastructure necessary to meet the increasing demands for proof generation, dueto the increasing popularity of zero-knowledge proofs. While proof generation is time-consuming for end users,leading to a bad user experience, proof generation for industrial provers requires them to deploy power-hungry andpartially utilized GPUs, leading to the challenging task of making the proof generation business economical. ProverNetwork aims to solve the problem by creating a platform for easy delegation of the proving task.Prover Network will build a specialized zkVM optimized not only for fast parallel proving, but also forprivacy-preserving delegation. Furthermore, it will build a platform around it for seamless delegation of provingcomputation and for fast proving.We are seeking a seasoned Protocol Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design andimplementation of core components of Prover Network, including highly optimized communication between theclients and GPUs and the consensus protocol. You will collaborate closely on the design with Dr. Rao and lead theimplementation, while building out the necessary team.As an early team member, you will help shape not only the protocol, but also who we are at Prover Network. Youwill set a technical standard for Prover Network and eventually one of the core contributors of how verifiabledelegation of computation is executed in the world. You will have the freedom and autonomy to shape the directionof our culture and platform, contributing your ideas and expertise to drive its evolution. You will be challenged withcomplex problem-solving in a rapidly evolving problem space, allowing you to expand your skill set and growalongside the company.Deep familiarity with protocol engineering aspectsExpertise in Rust (~4 years), including a high comfort level with advanced concepts such as generics, lifetimes, memory management, concurrency, etcFamiliarity with advanced benchmarking and testing frameworks (e.g., prop-testing, fuzzing)Experience in working independently on open-ended problemsA strong sense of responsibility and comfort with autonomous workNice-To-HaveInterest in zero-knowledge proof-based blockchain systemsExperience writing smart contractsFamiliarity with the fundamentals of cryptography, such as hash functions and finite fieldsA passion for open-source software and an eagerness to learnA strong interest in privacyBenefitsCompetitive salary and equity as an early member of our teamFull benefits package, including healthcare coverage and more to comeStipend for learning and professional developmentOpportunity to work with a driven, talented, dedicated team that values collaboration, innovation, and in making a strong positive impactCulture built upon mutual respect, empathy, learning, and growth