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Rust Startup Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Manager

Vienna, VA · On-site

$185K - $250K/yr

C/C++, Rust, Nix, and Terraform. * Autonomous Search - This team does deep research and systems ... startup or high-growth environment. * Strong technical judgment. You can make the right call on ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Dulles, VA · On-site

$123K - $151K/yr

Ability to develop, test, debug software and firmware in C/C++/Rust * Experience with Embedded ... Thrive in a startup environment * Positive, team-first communicator * Willing to roll up sleeves ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$123K - $151K/yr

Ability to develop, test, debug software and firmware in C/C++/Rust * Experience with Embedded ... Thrive in a startup environment * Positive, team-first communicator * Willing to roll up sleeves ...

Ability to develop, test, debug software and firmware in C/C++/Rust * Experience with Embedded ... Thrive in a startup environment * Positive, team-first communicator * Willing to roll up sleeves ...

Backend Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Experience with high performance software development a strong plus (C/C++, Rust, parallelization ... As a growing company and startup, priorities may shift as customer or business requirements change.

Experience with high performance software development a strong plus (C/C++, Rust, parallelization ... As a growing company and startup, priorities may shift as customer or business requirements change.

Rust Startup information

What is a Rust startup?

A Rust startup is a new company or organization that primarily utilizes the Rust programming language for developing its products or services. Startups choose Rust for its memory safety, performance, and modern language features, which help build reliable and scalable software. These companies often focus on areas like systems programming, web development, blockchain, or cloud infrastructure, where Rust's strengths shine. Being a Rust startup means embracing a fast-growing ecosystem and community, as well as leveraging Rust's advantages to create innovative solutions.

What are some common challenges faced by engineers working at a Rust-focused startup, and how can they overcome them?

Engineers at Rust-focused startups often encounter challenges such as integrating Rust into existing technology stacks, addressing a relative scarcity of mature libraries, and collaborating with team members who may have varying levels of Rust experience. Overcoming these challenges involves prioritizing clear documentation, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and leveraging the active Rust community for support. Additionally, engineers benefit from open communication with product and design teams to ensure alignment on technical decisions and project goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rust startup founder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rust Startup founder, you need strong technical proficiency in Rust programming, experience with systems-level software development, and a solid understanding of startup business fundamentals. Familiarity with tools like Cargo, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms, as well as knowledge of venture funding or accelerator programs, is highly beneficial. Leadership, resilience, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for inspiring teams and navigating the uncertainties of startup life. These skills and qualities enable founders to build robust products, attract investment, and adapt quickly to market demands.

What is the difference between Rust Startup vs Rust Developer?

AspectRust StartupRust Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in Computer Science or related field, with experience in Rust programmingSame as Rust Startup, often includes certifications or portfolio of Rust projects
Work EnvironmentStartups, flexible hours, dynamic teamsVaries from startups to established companies, often collaborative
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, software development firmsTech companies, software development teams
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in startups using RustComparing Rust roles in different company sizes

Rust Startup refers to a role within a startup environment focusing on Rust programming, often involving flexible work settings and innovative projects. Rust Developer is a broader term for professionals skilled in Rust, working across various company sizes and industries. While both require similar credentials and skills, Rust Startup emphasizes the startup culture and environment, whereas Rust Developer can be found in a wider range of organizations.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Rust Startup jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Rust Startup job openings:

$185K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

About Antithesis
We've been quietly reinventing how the world thinks about software reliability, and we're just getting started! At Antithesis, we start at the foundations - we run entire software systems inside a deterministic simulation and break them in every way imaginable. Every issue then comes with a perfect reproduction, so you can identify root causes fast instead of spending days trying to recreate what went wrong.
The rise of AI-generated code has made this work more urgent than ever. Agents can write code faster than any human, but speed doesn't matter much when the output is buggy, stuck in review, or slipping through undetected. The verification bottleneck is real, it's growing, and solving it is one of the most consequential problems in software right now. That's what you'd be working on.
We're well-funded and deeply technical, the kind of place where the hardest problems get the most attention and the best ideas win regardless of who has them. If you want to do work that actually moves the needle on how reliable software can be, keep reading.
About This Role
We're looking for Engineering Managers to our growing core engineering team. This isn't a "manage the roadmap and attend standups" kind of role - you'll be in the code, shaping architecture, and doing hard technical work alongside your team. You'll set direction, grow engineers, drive execution, and keep the bar high. We're looking for first-line managers who are ready to lead from the front.
The team you'll lead depends on fit. Each area is different in flavor, but the expectations for the EM role are consistent: technical depth, strong people instincts, and the ability to move fast without breaking the things that matter.
  • User Experience - The team behind our web and SaaS pieces that the customers interact directly with. Tech stack: TypeScript, React, C/C++, Rust, and Nix/NixOS.
  • Platform - This team owns internal and external developer experience, monitoring, reliability, and infrastructure-as-code, and they build and maintain Pangolin, our internal database. Tech Stack: C/C++, Rust, Nix, and Terraform.
  • Autonomous Search - This team does deep research and systems development, owning the Fuzzer and Determinator Tech Stack: C/C++ and Rust.
What You'll Do
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers who genuinely care about what they build and how they build it.
  • Drive execution on complex, high-priority projects - keeping things moving without cutting corners that matter.
  • Get your hands dirty - write and review code, weigh in on architecture, debug the hard stuff.
  • Partner with technical leaders across the company to align your team's direction with broader product and engineering goals.
  • Raise the bar on engineering practices: quality, reliability, and correctness. (We really mean it about correctness.)
  • Build a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous learning.
What We're Looking For
  • Strong engineering chops - comfortable in C++, Python, Java, Go, or similar. You don't need to know every language we use, but you do need to be genuinely good at programming.
  • Experience with test infrastructure, or developer tooling is a major plus.
  • Deep experience with distributed systems, databases, and large-scale architectures - ideally with some scars to prove it.
  • Proven track record of leading engineering teams - recruiting, mentoring, and growing talent, ideally in a startup or high-growth environment.
  • Strong technical judgment. You can make the right call on hard architectural questions and explain why clearly.
  • Excellent communicator. You can align engineers, PMs, and executives around a shared direction without losing anyone along the way.
  • Comfortable operating with ambiguity. We're early. Things change. You adapt.
About Our Team
Our team has backgrounds spanning traditional CS degrees, philosophy, mathematics, and everything in between - or nothing formal at all. What everyone shares is a high bar for engineering quality. Managers here are expected to meet that same bar: this isn't a role where you stop coding when you get the title. We also genuinely believe in in-person work. It's how we build trust, share knowledge, and figure out hard problems together. That's why this role is 5 days a week in our Northern Virginia office.