Build scalable protocols for decentralized finance on Solana, focusing on system performance, testing, and collaborative features from conception to execution.
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. Today, Jito-Solana currently runs on 93% of stake and 1,100 validators, producing an additional $1B of revenue for stakers and validators on the network.
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. As a small, profitable company with product-market-fit, we're in a unique position to tackle ambitious technical challenges while maintaining our startup speed.
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.
Jito Labs is seeking a Senior 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
Benefits
- Above market compensation and multiple forms of equity
- All-expenses-paid team retreats and conferences!
- Weekly meal voucher
- And more!
Top Skills
Anchor Framework
C
C++
Rust
Similar Jobs
Software
Design and implement distributed system components (consensus, memory-mapped DBs, networking), build privacy-preserving zero-knowledge protocols, support monitoring/alerts and on-call, and wrap protocol functionality in clean APIs for product teams.
Top Skills:
Rust,Zero-Knowledge,Blockchain,Distributed Systems,Consensus Protocols,Memory-Mapped Databases,Networking Stacks,Monitoring And Alerting
Blockchain
Design and build highly scalable, reliable distributed systems for blockchain network monitoring. Implement and optimize protocol components (consensus, p2p networking, data validation), mentor engineers, collaborate cross-functionally, and deliver production-grade systems addressing scale, security, and privacy challenges.
Top Skills:
AIBlock PropagationC++Chain Re-Org DetectionConsensus AlgorithmsDockerElasticsearchGrpcJavaKafkaKubernetesLibp2PMongoDBNetwork ProtocolsP2P NetworkingPython
Web3
The Sr. Protocol Engineer will architect and implement protocol features, develop smart contracts, and ensure security standards are met while collaborating with product teams.
Top Skills:
Ci/CdGithub ActionsKubernetesRustSolidity
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute


