Protocol Engineer (Ethereum Client)

As a Protocol Engineer (Ethereum Client) at Nimbus, you will lead the effort to create a powerful developer experience, actively respond to community needs, create concrete specifications, and represent Nimbus at various events. You'll also be responsible for crafting detailed documentation and SDKs, while supporting the vision of making Nimbus the go-to Ethereum consensus client for mobile and embedded systems.

Ideal candidates for the Protocol Engineer position at Nimbus should have a minimum of 5 years of professional software engineering experience, particularly in embedded systems and P2P technologies. Proficiency in Rust or C/C++ is essential, along with a curiosity about dynamic languages. Familiarity with modern cryptography and APIs, as well as experience in crafting documentation, are also important.

In the role of Protocol Engineer (Ethereum Client) at Nimbus, you'll be involved in developing innovative products for Ethereum and the Web3 ecosystem. This includes building libraries using Nim, creating powerful documentation, and designing SDKs that enhance the developer experience. You will also conduct R&D to translate Ethereum research into practical applications for resource-constrained environments.

While prior experience in open-source organizations is a bonus, it is not a strict requirement for the Protocol Engineer position at Nimbus. What matters most is your passion for decentralization, blockchain technology, and your readiness to contribute to open-source projects. If you have relevant GitHub projects showcasing your skills in Nim, Rust, or C++, that would also be advantageous.

The hiring process for the Protocol Engineer position at Nimbus typically begins with an interview with our People Ops team, followed by two technical interviews with Nimbus team members. We are flexible in adapting the interview stages based on what makes sense, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about the process!

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you've implemented these languages in embedded systems. Discuss your role, challenges you faced, and how your contributions led to successful outcomes. Demonstrating your coding skills and understanding of resource-constrained environments will impress your interviewer.

Share your methodology for creating user-friendly documentation that caters to different skills levels. Discuss the importance of clarity, structure, and visuals in your documentation. You could mention your experience with different documentation tools or platforms, emphasizing successful examples from past projects.

Outline your process for gathering community feedback, analyzing requests, and collaborating with team members. Emphasize your communication skills and ability to distill user input into clear, actionable specifications that align with Nimbus’s goals and product roadmap.

Discuss any relevant projects involving P2P systems that you've worked on. Highlight specific technologies you've implemented, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. Express your enthusiasm for continuing that work in the context of Ethereum and decentralized systems at Nimbus.

When answering, focus on your passion for blockchain technology and open-source development. Mention how the Ethereum community's collaborative spirit aligns with your values and how you envision contributing to that community at Nimbus, whether through coding, community engagement, or thought leadership.

Describe your knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, secure communication protocols, and how they've played a role in your previous projects. Providing examples of how you've employed cryptography in your work will demonstrate your capability for the Protocol Engineer role at Nimbus.

Speak to your desire to leverage your technical skills and user experience empathy. Describe how you envision collaborating with designers and developers to create tooling, documentation, and tutorials that enhance the overall developer experience for Nimbus users.

Share your methods for keeping up with blockchain innovations, such as following prominent thought leaders on social media, engaging in community discussions, and attending conferences. Be specific about resources you rely on, demonstrating your commitment to staying informed in this fast-moving field.

Highlight your understanding of the specific challenges related to optimizing performance, resource allocation, and maintaining functionality in embedded systems. Discuss potential strategies for overcoming these challenges through effective programming practices and thorough testing.

Emphasize your favorite communication tools and how you ensure transparency and collaboration amongst remote teammates. Discuss your experience in managing time zone differences and establishing a workflow that supports productivity and team cohesion.