Lead Engineer – Crypto

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North America.

📋 Description

• Oversee all engineering efforts related to cryptocurrency, including Alpaca's spot and derivatives exchanges licensed in both the US and the Bahamas.

• Design, specify, and construct a perpetual futures exchange.

• Create a high-performance matching engine, along with collateral, liquidation, risk engine, public API, KYC/AML compliance, regulatory reporting, settlement clearing and custody, banking, order management, accounting, analytics, and compliance integrations.

• Architect, implement, and sustain the systems and services that serve as the backbone of Alpaca Crypto.

• Develop highly scalable, mission-critical systems for crypto spot and derivatives exchanges capable of trading millions of dollars from the outset.

• Implement backend services and web applications.

• Ensure software quality and maintain test coverage.

• Engage in code reviews.

• Resolve incidents and address reported bugs.

• Participate in on-call support for urgent engineering projects as needed.

• Initially report to the Head of Crypto, transitioning to the CTO as the product matures.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience in building a Central Limit Order Book (CLOB) exchange, high-frequency trading (HFT), market-making, high-performance matching engines, margin/liquidation engines, or other high-throughput & low-latency, regulated, fault-tolerant financial systems.

• Background in cryptocurrency development.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree, or equivalent experience, in Computer Science or a related discipline.

• At least 4 years of experience in backend software development.

• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as GoLang, Python, C/C++, NodeJS, Java, etc.; the platform is primarily based in Golang.

• Familiarity with SQL or relational databases.

• Practical knowledge of Bash, Linux, and Docker.

• Enthusiasm for the initiatives being developed at Alpaca.

• Experience with Kubernetes is advantageous.

• Familiarity with Kubernetes certifications such as CKA and CKAD.

• A DevOps mindset is considered an asset.

• Experience with NoSQL databases.

• Knowledge of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes.

• Strong understanding of the financial market.

• Experience with major cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure.

• Knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies.

• Understanding of microservice architectures.

• Familiarity with clean code principles.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and stock options.

• Comprehensive health benefits.

• New hire home-office setup: One-time payment of USD $500.

• Monthly stipend of USD $150 via a Brex Card.