Lead Engineer – Research & Development
| Company | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|
| Location | San Francisco, CA, USA, Ann Arbor, MI, USA |
| Salary | $Not Provided – $Not Provided |
| Type | Full-Time |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| Experience Level | Expert or higher |
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
- 10+ years progressive software development & engineering experience, building technical skills across a breadth of technologies
- 10+ years demonstrating strong analytical skills and ability to translate research findings into real-world applications
- 10+ years proficiency with multiple programming languages such as Solidity, Rust, Python, Go, or Java
- 3+ years of experience in blockchain development, crypto asset management, or related fields
- 3+ years experience in one or more emerging technology area outside of crypto technology: e.g. AI/ML/GenAI, Spatial Computing, Cloud Native Design, Digital Trust
- 3+ years experience developing secure wallet solutions, including key management (MPC, HSMs, cold storage, custodial vs. non-custodial models)
- 3+ years familiarity with tokenization of assets, including securities, stablecoins, and smart contracts (ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155, etc.)
- 3+ years experience with cryptographic protocols, DeFi applications, and blockchain interoperability solutions
Responsibilities
- Act as a technical thought leader, driving innovation across multiple R&D initiatives through development of proof-of-concepts
- Clearly explain complex technical ideas to business partners in a way that helps them understand the impact and possibilities, bridging the gap between tech and strategy
- Design and prototype solutions for wallet infrastructure, private key management, multi-signature and threshold cryptography, and integration with traditional financial systems
- Evaluate different blockchain architectures, smart contract frameworks, and tokenization methodologies to assess their applicability to our business
- Stay at the forefront of blockchain innovation, identifying new opportunities in digital identity, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized securities, and interoperability
- Contribute to the company’s blockchain and digital assets strategy through whitepapers, presentations, and internal education initiatives
- Engage with industry consortia, regulators, and technology partners to understand emerging trends and best practices
- Support other R&D initiatives in areas like AI/ML, cloud-native application design, spatial computing, and digital identity/trust, contributing architectural insight and cross-domain thinking
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in computer science or related field
- Full-stack product development experience
- Experience within fintech, financial institutions, or technology-driven R&D teams
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks related to digital assets (SEC, FINRA, AML/KYC, MiCA)
- Prior experience working at a financial institution, fintech, or blockchain startup
- Hands-on experience with Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), Decentralized Identity (DID), or Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
- Understanding of financial services infrastructure, including payments, settlements, and capital markets