Contract Applied Cryptography Jobs in California

About this Role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Specialty Software Engineer (Cryptography Engineer) to contribute to a next-generation Digital Asset Platform designed to solve the most critical challenge in institutional finance: achieving strict regulatory compliance without compromising transaction confidentiality. As a Lead Cryptography Engineer you will be responsible for architecting the core Key Management Service (KMS). You will sit at the intersection of applied cryptography, hardware security, and distributed systems, implementing threshold signing protocols inside attested execution environments.

Why Join Us?

• Work on "Hard" Problems:You aren't just calling crypto libraries; you are building a system where code meets hardware to solve fundamental trust problems in digital finance

• High-Impact Engineering:Your code will secure billions in institutional assets against nation-state level threats and insider attacks

• Technical Autonomy:You'll lead architectural decisions for the custody engine, defining how we leverage the latest in MPC and Confidential Computing

Responsibilities:

• MPC Protocol Implementation:Architect and implement high-performance threshold signature schemes (specificallyDKLS23or similar) for ECDSA key generation and signing

• Confidential Computing Architecture:Design and build services that run insideTrusted Execution Environments (TEEs), specifically targetingAMD SEV-SNPandIntel TDXvia Confidential Containers (CoCo)

• Attestation Framework:Implement theRATS (Remote ATtestation procedureS)architecture (RFC 9334) to ensure that no key share is released until the requesting node proves its hardware and software integrity to a Key Broker Service

• Hardware Security Integration:Design "Cold Ceremony" workflows that integrate offline hardware tokens as offline Key Encryption Keys (KEKs) for disaster recovery and deep storage

• Secure Enclave Development:Write and optimize memory-safe code (Rust/Go) that operates on key material exclusively within encrypted memory regions, ensuring zero leakage to the host OS or hypervisor

• Policy-to-Cryptography Binding:Design mechanisms to cryptographically bind business logic approvals (e.g., WebAuthn assertions) directly to the MPC signing session, eliminating the gap between "approval" and "execution"

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Specialty Software Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

• 3+ years of experience in backend or systems programming, with expert-level proficiency inGo (Golang)

• 6+ months of experience with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

• 1+ year of experience with BFT consensus algorithms, P2P networking, and state replication; reliable distributed systems experience

Desired Qualifications:

• Blockchain Core:Deep experience withCosmos SDKandCometBFT. Comfort building custom modules and modifying consensus logic, not just deploying smart contracts

• Pedersen Commitments(Homomorphic encryption properties)

• Zero-Knowledge Proofs(specifically Bulletproofs or Sigma protocols)

• Math-to-Code:Demonstrated ability to read academic whitepapers/preprints and translate mathematical specifications into functioning code

• Experience withMPC (Multi-Party Computation)or Verifiable Secret Sharing (VSS) schemes

• Familiarity with theRistretto255curve or libraries likegnark-crypto

• Background in FinTech, payment systems, or high-frequency trading platforms

• Understanding of theAccount Modelvs.UTXO Modeltrade-offs in privacy-preserving ledgers

Job Expectations:

• This position offers a hybrid work schedule

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position

Locations:

• 3075 Loyalty Circle, Columbus, Ohio

• 1755 Grant Street, Concord, California

Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.

$159,000.00 - $305,000.00

Posting End Date:

29 Sep 2026

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Equal Opportunity

Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visitDisability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.