Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Protocol Engineer)

Company Overview:

Req ID: 378015

We are currently seeking a Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Protocol Engineer) to join our team in Charlotte, North Carolina (US-NC), United States (US).

Job Description:

Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Protocol Engineer) to contribute to a next-generation Digital Asset Platform designed to solve the most critical challenge in institutional finance: achieving strict regulatory compliance without compromising transaction confidentiality. As a Lead Protocol Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting the core settlement engine. You will work at the intersection of distributed systems and applied cryptography, translating complex mathematical proofs into high-performance, production-grade Go code.

Responsibilities

Core Protocol Development: Architect and build a custom blockchain application using Go, Cosmos SDK, and CometBFT (Tendermint)

Cryptographic Implementation: Implement and optimize privacy-preserving primitives, specifically Pedersen Commitments and Bulletproofs (Range Proofs), ensuring no trusted setup is required

Consensus Customization: Engineer custom ABCI++ extensions (specifically PrepareProposal and Vote Extensions) to implement an on-chain Multi-Party Computation (MPC) mixing network

State Machine Design: Design a custom KVStore state machine that manages homomorphic encrypted balances (Elliptic Curve points) instead of plaintext integers

Performance Engineering: Optimize cryptographic operations (scalar multiplication, point addition) for low latency and high throughput in a distributed environment

Auditing Infrastructure: Build secure off-chain query layers and "view key " mechanisms that allow for granular, permissioned regulatory auditing

Required Qualifications:

5+ years of Specialty Software Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

3+ years of experience in backend or systems programming, with expert-level proficiency in Go (Golang)

6+ months of experience with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

1+ year of experience with BFT consensus algorithms, P2P networking, and state replication; reliable, distributed systems experience

Desired Qualifications:

Blockchain Core: Deep experience with Cosmos SDK and CometBFT. Comfort building custom modules and modifying consensus logic, not just deploying smart contracts

Pedersen Commitments (Homomorphic encryption properties)

Zero-Knowledge Proofs (specifically Bulletproofs or Sigma protocols)

Math-to-Code: Demonstrated ability to read academic whitepapers/preprints and translate mathematical specifications into functioning code

Experience with MPC (Multi-Party Computation) or Verifiable Secret Sharing (VSS) schemes

Familiarity with the Ristretto255 curve or libraries like gnark-crypto

Background in FinTech, payment systems, or high-frequency trading platforms

Understanding of the Account Model vs. UTXO Model trade-offs in privacy-preserving ledger

About NTT DATA:

Where required by law, NTT DATA provides a reasonable range of compensation for specific roles. The starting hourly range for this role is HOURLY RATE $90.00hr to $95.00hr. Actual compensation will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, technical skills, and other qualifications.

This position is eligible for company benefits that will depend on the nature of the role offered. Company benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending or health savings account, life, and AD&D insurance, short-and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program with company match, and additional voluntary or legally required benefits.

NTT DATA is a $30 billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long term success. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure and connectivity. We are one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. Visit us at us.nttdata.com