Jito Labs seeks a Protocol Engineer to architect decentralized finance solutions on Solana, focusing on systems programming and protocol development while ensuring code performance and security.
Jito Labs is architecting the future of high-performance distributed systems on Solana. We're the team behind Jito-Solana, the leading MEV Solana client, and the Jito Block Engine, which has revolutionized block building on Solana. Our Jito-Solana client currently powers over 90% of stake and 1,100 validators, generating an additional $650M in yearly revenue for network stakers and validators. As a small, profitable company with strong product-market fit, we're uniquely positioned to tackle ambitious technical challenges while maintaining our startup agility.
At Jito Labs, you'll work alongside a small, nimble group of engineers and operators who are passionate about solving complex technical challenges at the cutting edge of Solana trading and infrastructure.
Our team culture emphasizes:
- High ownership: Every team member drives significant technical decisions and shapes our product roadmap.
- Fast execution: We ship rapidly and iterate based on real-world feedback. Progress, not motion.
- Technical excellence: We tackle complex problems with elegant, scalable solutions.
- Sustainable growth: Strong financials and proven market fit enable us to focus on long-term impact.
If you're excited about:
- Solving complex distributed systems challenges
- Working with cutting-edge MEV and trading infrastructure
- Contributing to open-source blockchain technology
- Making a tangible impact on one of the fastest-growing L1 blockchains
...then we want to hear from you.
We're not just building tools - we're architecting the future of high-performance distributed systems. Our work directly impacts Solana's ecosystem, enabling a faster network, better capital efficiency, and more robust DeFi applications for millions of users.
We offer competitive compensation, significant equity, and the opportunity to work on problems that matter. Don't just watch the future of blockchain unfold—help us build it.
About the Position:
Jito Labs is seeking a Protocol Engineer to build the future of decentralized finance on Solana. We are looking for creative and motivated engineers that can effectively wrangle problems with large design spaces and come up with simple and elegant solutions. The role is extremely dynamic and a place where low-level problem solvers will thrive. You will be building protocols that have the potential to custody billions of dollars of capital; if this excites, you please apply!
Responsibilities
- Architect Solana programs using Solana native and Anchor programming models
- Build safe, secure, and performant code
- Write public-facing test plans and documentation for the code you’ve produced
- Build substantial testing infrastructure to ensure code is following a defined specification
- Collaborate with the team and customers to leverage internal knowledge and tooling
- Drive features and products from beginning to end with extreme ownership
- Comfortably dive deep into performance bottlenecks and debug problems across the entire stack
Qualifications
- 5+ years of systems programming experience writing code in Rust, C, or C++
- Multiple Solana programs written in Solana native programming or using the Anchor framework
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Experience wrangling complex problems into simple solutions
- Worked at a <50 person startup
Nice to-Have
- Security background
- Knowledge of DeFi landscape
Top Skills
Anchor
C
C++
Rust
Solana
Similar Jobs
Blockchain • Software
As a Solana Protocol Engineer, you will design, implement, and review core Solana programs, collaborating with teams to meet business needs while ensuring secure smart contract development.
Top Skills:
RustSmart ContractsSolana
Blockchain • Software
As a Solidity Protocol Engineer, you will develop, implement, and review smart contracts for Wormhole Labs' ecosystem, collaborating with cross-functional teams and ensuring security and best practices.
Top Skills:
EthereumEvmSmart ContractsSolidity
Blockchain
Design and implement protocols and distributed systems for blockchain applications, lead projects, mentor engineers, and drive innovation in network communications.
Top Skills:
C++DockerElasticsearchGrpcHTTPJavaKafkaKubernetesLibp2PRustTcp/Ip
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
