Cryptography Engineer (Research)

As a Cryptography Engineer (Research) at Irreducible, your main responsibilities will focus on enhancing Binius, our binary field proof system. You’ll work on improving the functionality and performance of our cryptographic code, implementing new cryptographic protocols, and collaborating with a dedicated team of cryptographers and software engineers. Additionally, there may be opportunities to contribute to research publications, making this a unique position that blends practical implementation with academic exploration.

To be considered for the Cryptography Engineer (Research) role at Irreducible, you need significant professional software engineering experience, proficiency in Rust, and a solid understanding of software engineering best practices. Familiarity with zero-knowledge cryptography concepts is essential, alongside experience in implementing cryptographic protocols. A mathematical background, particularly in linear and abstract algebra, will also be beneficial for this role.

Irreducible supports candidates located between the USA East Coast and Central Europe time zones, which signifies flexibility around remote work. As we establish our Berlin office, the option for relocation will also be available on a case-by-case basis, aiding in building a cohesive team environment while still embracing a globally distributed workforce.

Absolutely! At Irreducible, we believe in professional growth and advancement. As a Cryptography Engineer (Research), you will have the chance to work on cutting-edge projects and technologies, potentially leading to speaking opportunities at conferences, contributing to published research, or advancing into more senior technical roles within our organization.

Irreducible promotes a collaborative and inclusive team environment. As a Cryptography Engineer (Research), you'll work alongside talented cryptographers and software engineers on cross-functional teams. We value diverse perspectives and encourage team members to share ideas and innovations, creating a dynamic workplace where collaboration thrives.

Binius is a central piece of our system at Irreducible, specifically designed for binary field proof generation. When asked this question, you should highlight its unique features, such as its efficiency and versatility in creating zk-SNARKs. Discuss any related experience you have and how it aligns with creating scalable solutions in cryptography.

Rust is crucial for performance and safety in cryptographic applications. In your response, share specific projects where you employed Rust, focusing on your contributions to enhancing functionality and security. Illustrate how you leverage Rust's features such as memory safety and concurrency in your work.

Testing is essential in cryptographic work to ensure robustness and security. Describe your testing philosophy, mentioning methods like unit testing and integration testing. Discuss how you validate functionality and prepare for edge cases, ensuring that cryptographic implementations are both reliable and secure.

Zero-knowledge cryptography allows one party to prove knowledge of a secret without revealing the secret itself. In your answer, explain concepts like zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs. Provide examples of where you've applied this knowledge in past projects, emphasizing any collaboration with teams that focus on zk-proof systems.

Discuss a real-world scenario that illustrates your problem-solving skills, detailing the challenge and the steps you took to address it. Highlight your analytical skills, how you collaborated with your team, and what you learned from the experience, showcasing your ability to adapt and innovate.

Mathematical concepts are the backbone of cryptographic protocols. When explaining, mention how you’ve utilized these areas in your work with algorithms or protocol design. Give specific examples of problems solved using these concepts to demonstrate their relevance in executing cryptographic tasks effectively.

Stay current in the fast-evolving cryptography landscape is vital. Discuss your methods for keeping informed, such as reading research papers, attending conferences, or participating in forums. Highlight your commitment to life-long learning and how you integrate this knowledge into your projects.

Performance tuning is critical to ensure algorithms run efficiently. Share a specific example where you identified bottlenecks in performance and the adjustments you made, focusing on the impact this had on the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the cryptographic implementation.

Collaboration is key in complex projects. When answering this question, emphasize your communication skills, how you adapt your language for different audiences, and instances where your teamwork led to innovative solutions. Provide specific examples of successful cross-functional initiatives.

Share your enthusiasm for the innovative work happening at Irreducible, particularly in zk-SNARKs and performance-engineered cryptographic systems. Discuss how the company’s vision aligns with your own career goals and your eagerness to contribute to impactful projects in the field.