Wells Fargo

Lead Protocol Engineer (Go / Cryptography)

Wells Fargo$159K — $305K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in Specialty Software Engineering or equivalent experience
  • 3+ years in backend or systems programming with expert Go skills
  • 6+ months with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)
  • 1+ year in BFT consensus algorithms and reliable distributed systems

Responsibilities

  • Architect and develop a custom blockchain application using Go, Cosmos SDK, and CometBFT
  • Implement and optimize privacy-preserving cryptographic primitives
  • Engineer custom ABCI++ extensions for on-chain MPC mixing networks
  • Design a custom KVStore state machine for homomorphic encrypted balances
  • Optimize cryptographic operations for low latency in a distributed environment
  • Build secure off-chain query layers for regulatory auditing

Benefits

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance and critical illness insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Adoption reimbursement
Full Job Description
About this Role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a 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 withBFT 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 ledgers


Job Expectations:
  • This position offers a hybrid work schedule
  • Relocation assistance is not available for this position


Locations:
  • 194 Wood Ave S, Iselin, New Jersey
  • 3075 Loyalty Circle, Columbus, Ohio
  • 1755 Grant Street, Concord, California


Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$159,000.00 - $305,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement


Posting End Date:

18 Jun 2026
*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Careers

Joining Wells Fargo means becoming part of a distinguished financial institution that has been a cornerstone of innovation and leadership in the banking industry. At Wells Fargo, we offer a plethora of job opportunities designed to empower your career growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Work You’ll Do

At Wells Fargo, you will be part of a team that values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive innovation and lead with integrity. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we invest in their professional growth through comprehensive leadership and diversity training programs that are recognized industry-wide.

Explore a Multitude of Career Paths

Whether you're interested in a position in finance, IT, customer service, or management, Wells Fargo has career opportunities in various fields. Our team members benefit from job stability, competitive benefits, and a culture that values and rewards performance and dedication.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Wells Fargo internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry exposure, professional skills development, and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment offers. Interns at Wells Fargo work on real projects, solve actual challenges, and gain the mentorship of seasoned professionals.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees. Wells Fargo offers robust training programs and resources to help every team member excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges. Growth at Wells Fargo is not just about climbing the career ladder but expanding your skills and expertise to add value to our team and customers.

Benefits and Rewards

Wells Fargo is committed to the well-being of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Additionally, we provide unique perks like employee discounts, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

Join Our Team

Discover the opportunities waiting for you at Wells Fargo by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who bring creativity, passion, and a drive to serve our customers.

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Networking and Innovation

At Wells Fargo, networking and innovation go hand in hand. We encourage our employees to connect across departments and roles to foster new ideas and strategies that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

Empower Your Career

Step into a role at Wells Fargo where your skills will be honed, your achievements recognized, and your career can flourish. We're not just filling positions; we're building leaders who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial world. Join Wells Fargo today and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of banking.
Learn more about Wells Fargo
Size
246,577 employees
Market Cap
$155.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.3 billion
Founded
1852
5 Year Trend
-5.9%
NASDAQ

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