About the RoleNu is building secure, compliant crypto infrastructure that will expand financial access for millions of people across Latin America. In crypto, there is no margin for error - a mistake in production can be irreversible, with direct financial exposure. As we open our Silicon Valley engineering hub, we're looking for a Lead Software Engineer, Crypto who thinks adversarially, builds defensively, and operates at the intersection of cryptography, distributed systems, and financial regulation.
You'll be part of a focused crypto team in Palo Alto, collaborating with security, compliance, and product teams across our global offices. Our crypto engineering culture values correctness above all - we design systems assuming they will be attacked, and build accordingly. We move deliberately, with a high bar for security reviews and code quality.
In this role, you'll own cryptographic systems, protocols, or blockchain infrastructure for your domain - key management, signing flows, consensus mechanisms, and on-chain integrations. You'll ensure correctness, security, and regulatory compliance, and you'll be the person who says "no, that's not safe" and makes it stick.
You'll be responsible for- Own cryptographic systems, protocols, or blockchain infrastructure for your domain, including key management, signing flows, and on-chain integrations.
- Design and implement secure, compliant crypto infrastructure that meets the highest standards for correctness and reliability.
- Think adversarially: design systems assuming they will be attacked, conduct threat modeling, and build defensive architectures.
- Navigate the intersection of cryptography, distributed systems, and financial regulation, ensuring all systems meet compliance requirements.
- Lead security reviews and code quality processes for crypto-related systems, enforcing a high bar for production readiness.
- Collaborate with security, compliance, and product teams to ensure crypto features are both safe and user-friendly.
- Mentor peers on crypto engineering best practices and contribute to the team's security-first engineering culture.
We are looking for a person who hasRequired- Track record of building and operating cryptographic systems, blockchain infrastructure, or secure financial systems in production.
- Deep understanding of cryptographic primitives, key management, signing protocols, and consensus mechanisms.
- Strong software engineering fundamentals with experience in languages used in crypto infrastructure (e.g., Go, Rust, Java, Python).
- Experience designing systems with an adversarial mindset: threat modeling, security reviews, and defensive architecture.
- Understanding of financial regulation as it applies to crypto and digital assets, with experience building compliant systems.
- Demonstrated ability to make high-stakes engineering decisions where correctness and security are non-negotiable.
- Experience collaborating with security, compliance, and legal teams on system design and review processes.
Nice to have- Experience with specific blockchain protocols (e.g., Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana) and their integration patterns.
- Background in DeFi protocols, custody solutions, or institutional crypto infrastructure.
- Experience in fintech, payments, or other financial services environments with strict regulatory requirements.
- Familiarity with HSMs, secure enclaves, and hardware-backed key management systems.
- Proficiency with AI-assisted development tools and a thoughtful approach to leveraging AI in security-critical engineering.
LocationPalo Alto, United States
Our Benefits- Opportunity of earning equity at Nu
- Medical Insurance
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Extended maternity and paternity leaves
- Nucleo - Our learning platform of courses
- NuLanguage - Our language learning program
- NuCare - Our mental health and wellness assistance program
- 401K
- Saving Plans - Health Saving Account and Flexible Spending Account
- Work-from-home Allowance
- Relocation Assistance Package, if applicable
Work ModelHybrid 2-3 times/week: Our hybrid work model brings us to the office at least twice a week, on strategic days designed to maximize team connection and collaboration. For more details, visit https://building.nubank.com/nu-hybrid-work-model/
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