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Contract Programming Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Smart Contract Engineer

New York, NY

$134K - $176K/yr

You are an experienced smart contract engineer who has shipped production code that moves real money - and you take that responsibility seriously. You've navigated the full lifecycle from ...

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Senior Smart Contract Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$134K - $176K/yr

You are an experienced smart contract engineer who has shipped production code that moves real money - and you take that responsibility seriously. You've navigated the full lifecycle from ...

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH: -Certification as a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM). A minimum of one of the two certifications must be obtained within ...

Smart Contract Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$120K - $220K/yr

Strong programming & design skill in Solidity * Have strong fundamentals in software engineering & enjoys problem solvings. * Care about clean & secure smart contract code, and think deeply about ...

Data Center Contracts Lead

Austin, TX · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

The Data Center Contracts Lead will own end-to-end contracts management within our Design, Engineering & Construction (DEC) organization, spanning EPC construction contracts, engineering and design ...

Interface with Customer Service, Cost Estimating, Material, Quality, Engineering, and all manufacturing process areas. * Develop and maintain Customer Matrix for standard and special requirements.

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How much do contract programming jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract programming in the United States is $36.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $47.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Programming vs Software Developer?

AspectContract ProgrammingSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no specific certifications required, but technical skills are essentialOften holds degrees or certifications in computer science or related fields
Work EnvironmentProject-based, freelance or temporary roles, often remoteFull-time employment, in-house or remote
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries for short-term projectsEmployed by companies for ongoing development roles
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for flexibility and project scopeCompared for career stability and growth opportunities

Contract Programming involves short-term, project-based work often as a freelancer, while Software Developers typically work full-time within a company. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their work environments and employment terms differ significantly.

What is contract programming?

Contract programming refers to the practice of hiring software developers or programmers on a contract basis, rather than as permanent employees. These professionals are typically brought in to work on specific projects or for a set period of time, often to address resource gaps or provide specialized expertise. Contract programmers are responsible for designing, writing, testing, and maintaining code according to the requirements set by the client. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the employer and the programmer, as it allows businesses to scale their workforce as needed and gives programmers the opportunity to work on diverse projects.

What are some common challenges faced by contract programmers when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Contract programmers often juggle projects for several clients at once, which can present challenges in time management, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring clear communication. Balancing different workflows, adapting to various coding standards, and aligning with each client’s expectations require strong organizational and interpersonal skills. It's important to establish transparent timelines, utilize project management tools, and maintain regular check-ins with clients to keep projects on track and avoid misunderstandings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Programmer, you need advanced programming skills, knowledge of multiple programming languages, and a proven track record demonstrated by a relevant degree or portfolio of completed projects. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), project management tools, and sometimes certifications in specific technologies (such as AWS or Microsoft Azure) are commonly expected. Strong communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities help you adapt to diverse client needs and collaborate remotely. These skills enable you to deliver high-quality, on-time solutions while maintaining client satisfaction in a competitive contract environment.
More about Contract Programming jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Programming jobs? Cities with the most Contract Programming job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Programming jobs? The most popular types of Programming jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Programming jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Programming jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Programming job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,613 per year, or $36.8 per hour.
Senior Smart Contract Engineer

Senior Smart Contract Engineer

Galaxy

New York, NY

$134K - $176K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Who You Are:

You are an experienced smart contract engineer who has shipped production code that moves real money - and you take that responsibility seriously. You've navigated the full lifecycle from architecture to audit to mainnet deployment, and you know where things break, because you've been there when they did.

You operate at the intersection of deep technical craft and engineering leadership. You set the bar for your team rather than waiting for someone else to set it for you. You have strong opinions about testing standards, review culture, and what "done" actually means for on-chain code - and you have the communication skills to bring others along.

You're fluent across both EVM and Solana, and you understand the institutional context this work lives in: the counterparties, the compliance expectations, the custody constraints, and the reputational stakes. You know when to move fast and when to slow down and get it right.

You've integrated AI into how you work in meaningful, concrete ways - and you understand exactly where AI-generated code becomes a liability in a smart contract context. You're high-agency, comfortable with ambiguity, and accountable for outcomes. You don't wait to be pointed at a problem; you find it and own it.

What You'll Do:

  • Own the design and implementation of new on-chain primitives across both Ethereum and Solana, including staking flows, validator orchestration, vault strategies, exit and redemption mechanisms, and integrations with institutional custody. 
  • Drive the audit lifecycle end to end: scoping, engaging audit firms, triaging findings, implementing remediations, and shepherding code to mainnet deployment. 
  • Set and enforce the engineering bar within your team: testing standards, review processes, deployment runbooks, incident response, and on-call rotations for live contracts. 
  • Partner with product and engineering leadership to translate enterprise-grade requirements - custody, compliance, settlement, operational controls - into on-chain designs that hold up to scrutiny from bank-grade counterparties. 
  • Mentor smart contract engineers on your team and contribute to hiring, code review culture, and career development across the broader smart contract function. 
  • Represent Galaxy's on-chain work externally where appropriate: with auditors, institutional clients, governance forums, and the broader Ethereum and Solana ecosystems. 
  • Embrace and champion the thoughtful adoption of AI to improve team performance and business outcomes.
  • Leverage AI tools (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, data copilots) to improve productivity, decision-making, and output quality in your day-to-day work.

What We're Looking For:

  • 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 4 years writing production smart contracts deployed at meaningful TVL across both Ethereum (Solidity) and Solana (Rust/Anchor). 
  • Deep expertise in EVM internals, gas optimization, and proxy/upgradeability patterns (UUPS, Transparent, Beacon), plus a working command of Solana program development, account models, and PDA design. 
  • A track record of shipping contracts that have cleared rigorous third-party audits (Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin, Certora, Spearbit, Neodyme, OtterSec, or equivalent) and a working familiarity with formal verification tooling such as Certora Prover, Halmos, or Kontrol. 
  • Fluency in the modern toolchains on both chains: Foundry, Hardhat, Slither, Echidna on the EVM side; Anchor, Solana program test frameworks, and fuzzing tools on the Solana side. Strong testing discipline that includes invariant and fuzz testing as a default, not an afterthought. 
  • Hands-on experience across multiple on-chain domains relevant to institutional infrastructure: liquid staking, validator economics and slashing mechanics, tokenized vault/ERC-4626 architectures, custody integrations, or settlement and redemption flows. 
  • A security-first mindset and the judgment to know when to slow down, when to ship, and when to design for failure modes (pause mechanisms, circuit breakers, containment modes). 
  • Demonstrated depth: you've owned complex architecture decisions end-to-end, held a high bar for code review and testing, and supported other engineers through audits, incidents, and production deployments - with or without a formal lead title. 
  • Strong written communication; you can explain a subtle reentrancy, oracle staleness, or account validation risk clearly to engineers, auditors, product, and enterprise counterparties alike. 
  • AI fluency. You've integrated AI into how you work, not as a novelty but as a significant multiplier. You can speak concretely about which tools you use, what you've built or accelerated with them, and where they fall short - including the specific risks of using AI-generated code in a smart contract context. 
  • High agency. You see what needs to happen and make it happen. You're comfortable operating with incomplete direction, taking ownership of ambiguous problems, and being accountable for outcomes - including the ones that don't pan out. Tell us about an idea you championed and ran with. 

Bonus Points: 

  • Experience designing or integrating on-chain systems against the requirements of GSIBs or other large regulated financial institutions - including custody, settlement, audit, compliance, and operational control expectations. 
  • Prior contributions to a major DeFi, liquid staking, or restaking protocol as a core contributor or named author on audited contracts. 
  • Experience with cross-chain message passing (CCIP, LayerZero, Wormhole) or shared sequencing/intent-based architectures. 
  • Familiarity with ERC-7540 (asynchronous vaults), ERC-4626 extensions, or other emerging tokenized vault standards. 
  • Exposure to MEV-aware design, PBS architecture, or block-building mechanics relevant to staking and validator infrastructure on either chain.
  • Open-source contributions to Foundry, OpenZeppelin Contracts, Solady, Anchor, or comparable infrastructure.

What We Offer:

  • Competitive base salary and discretionary bonus
  • Hybrid/Flexible Working Arrangements 
  • Flexible Time Off (paid)
  • 3% 401(k) company contribution
  • Company-paid health and protective benefits for employees, partners, and other dependents
  • Generous paid Parental Leave
  • Competitive family planning benefits for US employees 
  • Opportunities to learn about the Crypto industry
  • Smart, entrepreneurial, and fun colleagues
  • Free daily snacks and weekly breakfasts/lunches 
  • Employee Resource Groups
  • Free coaching and counseling sessions through Headspace

Apply now and join us on our mission to engineer a new economic paradigm.


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About Galaxy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Finance and insurance

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2018