Senior Software Engineer - Special Projects

**Location:** Chicago, IL (Remote Friendly) **About The Opportunity** We are seeking a high\-impact Senior Engineer to spearhead the development of a greenfield application designed to bridge the gap between sophisticated market infrastructure and the end\-user. You will join a nimble, elite team of builders who have previously developed industry\-leading protocols responsible for billions in transaction volume. As an early hire, you will have total technical ownership over a 0\-to\-1 product, architecting high\-performance systems from the ground up alongside world\-class designers and systems engineers. **Responsibilities** * Architect and deploy foundational backend services for a new market\-facing product from the initial design phase. * Develop low\-latency, high\-availability infrastructure that integrates with real\-time blockchain transaction and block\-generation pipelines. * Lead the development of core functional modules including order execution, intelligent routing, and live market data processing. * Establish a robust security posture across the entire stack, managing everything from secure signing workflows to sensitive data isolation. * Drive major architectural roadmap decisions and collaborate with cross\-functional leads to iterate rapidly based on live performance metrics. * Manage end\-to\-end position tracking and transaction lifecycles within a high\-stakes production environment. **Requirements** * 5\+ years of professional software development experience, specifically focused on complex distributed systems. * Expert\-level systems programming skills. While Rust is the primary language, deep proficiency in C\+\+, Go, or similar low\-level languages is highly valued. * Proven history of shipping production\-grade systems where low latency and extreme reliability were mission\-critical. * A security\-centric engineering philosophy. You prioritize threat modeling, failure mode analysis, and secure key management in your daily workflow. * Self\-directed operator. You thrive in 0\-to\-1 environments characterized by high autonomy and evolving requirements. **Preferred Qualifications** * Deep understanding of the Solana ecosystem, including runtime mechanics, MEV, and market microstructure. * Background in developing exchange infrastructure or high\-frequency trading (HFT) platforms. * Experience in DeFi protocol design or fintech backend services (custody, settlement, or payments). * Knowledge of execution quality optimization and transaction block building. **Compensation \& Benefits** * Competitive salary and equity package commensurate with early\-stage seniority. * Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. * Flexible work environment with a focus on high\-output and results.