Protocol Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Shape the Future of Blockchain-Bringing Business On-Chain
We're offering a unique opportunity to join Launch Legends (and Autheo) as a part-time Equity Cofounder. Founded nearly four years ago, Launch Legends is at the forefront of bridging Web3 blockchain technology with the next evolution of Web2 integration-bringing businesses on-chain through enterprise-grade solutions, DePIN innovations, and decentralized financial infrastructure.
Our flagship project, Autheo, is an AI enabled Layer-Zero OS with an integrated Layer-1 blockchain and complete decentralized infrastructure thast includes decentralized compute, storage, identity, and service marketplaces, as well as a Full-stack development enveronment (DevHub)-engineered for scalable enterprise adoption, developer innovation, and real-world blockchain integration.
Our Projects

• Autheo - www.autheo.com
• Autheo Team - https://www.autheo.com/teams
• Launch Legends (Parent Company) - www.launchlegends.io
• Twitter: https://x.com/Autheo_Network

About Autheo
With nearly 100 equity cofounders from leading companies and institutions-many with advanced degrees and PhDs-Autheo is solving the critical challenges blocking business adoption of blockchain technology.
Key Features:

• Enterprise-Grade Layer-1 Blockchain - High-speed, self-securing, and cost-efficient infrastructure built for scale.
• Developer Hub & Application Marketplace - A decentralized platform where developers build, deploy, and monetize real-world apps.
• Web2-Web3 Integration - Microservices, SDKs, and governance frameworks for seamless business migration.
• Decentralized Cloud & Compute - Secure, privacy-preserving storage and AI-powered compute for next-gen applications.
• DePIN Infrastructure - On-chain networks powering real-world infrastructure ownership and resource sharing.

Traction (Testnet Launch):

• Wallet Accounts: 290,000+
• Twitter Followers: 30,000+
• Discord Members: 19,000+
• Smart Contracts Deployed: 30,000+
• Developers Registered for MVP DevHub: 7,500+

Compensation & Growth Path
This is a part time equity / token-based cofounder opportunity. You will receive equity in Launch Legends, Autheo, and the WFO Creator Network, along with token allocations in the Autheo blockchain. We have already completed an initial financing round to support infrastructure and marketing, and are currently in discussions with VCs and crypto investors to fund expansion and salaries. Salaried compensation is expected to begin within 4 to 5 months, following our node, token sales or funding.
ROLE: Senior Patent Engineer (Blockchain, Cryptography & Distributed Systems)
About the Role
Launch Legends, together with its subsidiary Legendary IP LLC, is seeking an exceptional Senior Patent Engineer to join our advanced IP division supporting Autheo's groundbreaking innovations in Layer-0/Layer-1 blockchain systems, cryptography, distributed systems, and decentralized compute. As a core member of the patent creation team, you will translate complex engineering breakthroughs into patent-ready disclosures, draft technical specifications, and collaborate directly with architects, researchers, kernel engineers, cryptographers, and protocol designers.
You will be instrumental in producing the first wave of ~50 filings and the broader portfolio of ~200 provisional and non-provisional patents in 2026.
Key Responsibilities
• Translate engineering and research innovations into detailed invention disclosures, diagrams, workflows, and draft claim frameworks.
• Collaborate with blockchain, cryptography, distributed systems, DePIN, VM, and Kernel teams to capture architectural and algorithmic innovations accurately.
• Draft technical sections of provisional applications prior to attorney refinement.
• Perform prior-art research to evaluate novelty, inventive step, and potential claim scope.
• Document primitives involving consensus, DAG scheduling, decentralized identity, encrypted execution, FHE/ZK, and high-throughput compute.
• Support refinement of system diagrams, sequence flows, and engineering specifications for filings.
• Assist in responding to office actions by providing technical explanations and evidence.
Research & Innovation Leadership
• Maintain detailed understanding of cutting-edge blockchain, cryptography, VM, DePIN, and distributed compute research.
• Contribute to internal whitepapers and engineering documentation supporting IP strategy.
Requirements - Must Have
• 4-8 years experience as a patent engineer, systems engineer, cryptography engineer, or protocol engineer.
• Strong technical depth in blockchain systems (Cosmos SDK, EVM, DAGs, consensus algorithms).
• Experience drafting patent disclosures or deep technical documentation.
• Ability to convert engineering ideas into clear, structured technical narratives.
• Familiarity with cryptography (PQC, FHE, ZKPs), distributed systems, compute frameworks, or VM internals.
Nice to Have
• Prior work in patent drafting or IP support for emerging technology companies.
• Contributions to open-source blockchain or cryptography libraries.
• Advanced degree in CS, EE, Cryptography, Applied Math, or related fields.
First 90-Day Deliverables
• 15-20 high-quality invention disclosures.
• Draft technical sections for 10-15 provisional applications.
• Complete prior-art evaluations for first 50 PQC-related filings.
• Establish repeatable documentation workflows for engineering teams.
About Our Organization
Autheo is a visionary technology company building the virtual machine platform that surpasses Ethereum EVM, Solana SVM, and all legacy execution environments with microsecond latencies, and mathematically proven security. Our mission is to create unbreakable execution infrastructure that empowers developers to build sovereign dApps, confidential DeFi protocols, secure enterprise solutions, and privacy-preserving AI systems. We are developing revolutionary technologies including Layer 0/1 blockchains with attack-resistant consensus, execution environments supporting encrypted computation, sovereign communication systems with perfect forward secrecy, and DePIN networks delivering 200GB/s secure compute. Backed by pioneering runtime leadership and a global team of elite systems engineers, cryptographers, and blockchain architects, Autheo is positioned to dominate the $300B+ smart contract execution market while establishing new standards for secure, scalable decentralized computation. Join us to build the execution foundation that will power the sovereign digital economy of the 21st century.
WHY JOIN LAUNCH LEGENDS?

• Traction with Momentum: Autheo is already gaining significant traction in the blockchain space, with rapid developer adoption, platform growth, and partnership interest.
• Cross-Industry Impact; Autheo is positioned to transform not only the Web3 ecosystem-but also Web2 and the broader technology sector-by enabling real-world business adoption of decentralized infrastructure.
• Real Innovation, Not Hype: Unlike many blockchain ventures, Autheo is focused on substance over speculation. We are building real solutions: modular fullstack infrastructure, enterprise-grade toolkits, decentralized identity, cloud, compute, and service orchestration.
• Backed by Elite Talent: You'll join a team composed of professionals from top-tier universities, Fortune 500 companies, and major blockchain platforms. Our team includes multiple PhDs and senior engineers who have launched and scaled world-class technologies.

If you're ready to redefine blockchain adoption, empower global business integration, and help shape the next generation of Web3 and developer ecosystems, we invite you to take the next step.
Let's build the future-together.