Lightning Network R&D Lead

About the Position

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We are seeking a Lightning Network R&D Lead with 6+ years of software engineering experience to join our Tether-backed Bitcoin Layer-2 platform team. This role is remote and involves building a platform that enables instant, zero-fee, private, and non-custodial transactions using RGB and Lightning Network technology.

Responsibilities

• R&D Leadership:

  • Define and lead the project’s Lightning Network research and development roadmap
  • Identify emerging opportunities in LN protocol evolution and translate them into actionable engineering initiatives
  • Represent the project in the Lightning Network community, contributing to BOLT specifications and protocol discussions
  • Build and mentor a team of Lightning engineers and researchers

• Architecture & Infrastructure:

  • Architect scalable, secure infrastructure for production environments
  • Design liquidity management systems, LSP integrations, and routing optimization strategies
  • Implement robust channel backup, recovery, and watchtower mechanisms

• Research & Innovation:

  • Monitor and evaluate emerging research in Bitcoin, Lightning, and Layer 2 ecosystems
  • Publish technical write-ups, research papers, and open-source contributions
  • Collaborate with academic institutions and research labs where relevant
  • Prototype and validate novel approaches before production rollout

• Collaboration & Communication:

  • Work closely with product teams to align R&D outcomes with user needs
  • Partner with smart contract / Bitcoin Script developers on cross-layer features
  • Coordinate with infrastructure and DevOps teams on node deployment and monitoring
  • Present R&D findings to internal stakeholders, the wider community, and at industry conferences

Requirements

• Core Technologies:

  • Lightning Network: Expert-level understanding of LN architecture, BOLT specifications, HTLCs, PTLCs, channel state machines, and routing protocols (source-based onion routing, trampoline routing)
  • Lightning Implementations: Production experience with at least one major implementation: LND (Go), Core Lightning / CLN (C), Eclair (Scala), LDK (Rust), or LNP/BP stack
  • Bitcoin Protocol: Deep knowledge of Bitcoin Script, Taproot, Schnorr signatures, MuSig2, PSBT, transaction construction, and UTXO model
  • Cryptography: Strong grasp of elliptic curve cryptography (secp256k1), adaptor signatures, hash locks, and threshold signature schemes
  • Programming Languages: Expert proficiency in Rust and/or Go (mandatory). Working knowledge of C/C++, Scala, or Python for cross-implementation work. Experience with low-level systems programming and async runtimes (Tokio, etc.)

• R&D and Protocol Design:

  • Experience designing, documenting, and proposing protocol-level changes (BOLT drafts, BLIPs, BIPs)
  • Familiarity with cutting-edge LN research: Taproot Assets / Taro, Splicing, Channel Factories, Eltoo / LN-Symmetry, Async Payments, BOLT12 / Offers, Simple Taproot Channels, PTLCs
  • Understanding of LN privacy concerns: blinded paths, route blinding, probing attacks, and channel jamming mitigations
  • Hands-on experience with watchtowers, justice transactions, and channel security models

• Infrastructure & Operations:

  • Experience operating production Lightning nodes at scale (node management, channel rebalancing, liquidity management)
  • Knowledge of LSP (Lightning Service Provider) architectures and protocols (LSPS specs)
  • Familiarity with submarine swaps, loop-in/loop-out, and inbound liquidity solutions
  • Experience with backup strategies (SCB, dynamic channel backups) and disaster recovery

• English level (Upper-Intermediate to Fluent):

  • Able to lead technical discussions with international teams and community members
  • Comfortable presenting at conferences, on podcasts, and in community calls
  • Proficient in writing BOLT specifications, RFCs, and research papers in English
  • Effective at engaging with the global Bitcoin/Lightning community via GitHub, mailing lists, and forums
  • Strong written communication for code reviews, design documents, and public technical content

Nice to Have

• Contributions to BOLT specifications, LDK, LND, CLN, or Eclair repositories
• Publications or technical write-ups on Lightning Network research
• Experience with RGB protocol, Taproot Assets, or other Bitcoin-native asset layers
• Knowledge of cross-chain atomic swaps and DLCs (Discreet Log Contracts)
• Experience with Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) or LNURL protocol suite
• Background in mempool analysis, fee estimation, and CPFP/RBF strategies
• Active participation in the Lightning Network developer community (Lightning Dev mailing list, Delving Bitcoin, GitHub)
• Prior speaking experience at Bitcoin/LN conferences (Advancing Bitcoin, BTC++, LN Summit, etc.) is a significant plus
• Candidates with public GitHub contributions to LN ecosystem projects should highlight them in their application

We Offer

• Remote working format
• Flexible working hours
• Informal and friendly atmosphere
• The ability to focus on your work: a lack of bureaucracy and micromanagement
• 20 paid vacation days
• 7 paid sick leaves
• Education reimbursement
• Free English classes
• Psychologist consultations

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Flexible working hours
• Challenging projects: Work on a product used by the world's largest financial institutions
• No bureaucracy: Great management with no bureaucracy
• Remote work: An opportunity to work from anywhere

Have some questions?

Rina Oreper

Technical Recruiter

• [email protected]

Join our team!

Tell a bit about yourself and why you would like to join us, share your CV and portfolio (if needed) with us