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Smart Contract Security Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join a security-focused research team protecting some of the most important protocols and financial ... You will investigate smart contracts, identify vulnerabilities, and help clients strengthen their ...

... smart contracts, and decentralized applications through cutting-edge security research, formal ... verification, and AI-powered technology. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York City, CertiK ...

You should prioritize smart contract security, have a solid understanding of common vulnerabilities ... and consistently stay informed about the latest security developments and follow latest security ...

Research and design novel protocol mechanisms around vaults, lending, and other DeFi primitives ... Maintain exemplary organizational and security standards for an open source codebase.

Smart Contract Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$240K - $300K/yr

Conduct thorough testing and auditing of smart contracts to ensure security and functionality, utilizing tools such as Forge for an enhanced development workflow. * Stay abreast of the latest ...

... smart contracts * Develop protocol implementations across blockchain platforms * Write efficient, tested code * Participate in security audits and incident response * Research protocols and DeFi ...

Head of Blockchain Security

New York, NY · On-site

$260K - $275K/yr

Smart Contract Audit & Engineering: Lead deep-dive architectural reviews and security audits of ... Track record of public security research, published vulnerability papers, or presentations at major ...

Lead Security Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

Smart Contract Security * Cloud Security * Operational Security Responsibilities Cloud Security ... Create threat models for first party and third party software, research possible vulnerabilities ...

... Research, and Security through strategic grant-making. The foundation is seeking a Protocol Engineer to join their technical team and contribute to the development of smart contracts for in-house ...

Senior Smart Contract Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$226K - $282K/yr

Research, apply, and invent new smart contract paradigms * Design and implement peripheral mechanisms to the Uniswap protocol Requirements: * 4+ years of experience building and releasing production ...

Senior Smart Contract Engineer

$107K - $146K/yr

The Senior Smart Contract Engineer will be responsible for implementing and launching their cryptocurrency built on ETH, ensuring smart contracts are up to date, and collaborating with security ...

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Smart Contract Security Researcher information

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How much do smart contract security researcher jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for smart contract security researcher in the United States is $51.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.76 and $53.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a smart contract security researcher?

Smart Contract Security Researchers are professionals who specialize in analyzing, testing, and improving the security of smart contracts—self-executing agreements running on blockchain platforms like Ethereum. Their work involves identifying vulnerabilities, auditing code, and developing tools or best practices to prevent exploits and hacks. They play a crucial role in protecting digital assets and ensuring the reliability of decentralized applications (dApps). Their expertise combines knowledge of blockchain technology, programming, and cybersecurity.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a smart contract security researcher?

To thrive as a Smart Contract Security Researcher, you need deep knowledge of blockchain technology, cryptography, and programming languages such as Solidity, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Mythril, Slither, and security auditing frameworks, as well as certifications like Certified Blockchain Security Professional (CBSP), is highly valuable. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for identifying vulnerabilities and articulating findings to stakeholders. These abilities are essential to ensure the integrity, reliability, and safety of decentralized applications in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What are common challenges smart contract security researchers face when auditing blockchain projects?

Smart Contract Security Researchers often encounter challenges such as analyzing complex codebases with limited documentation, identifying novel vulnerabilities in rapidly evolving blockchain protocols, and keeping up with emerging attack vectors. Additionally, they must collaborate closely with developers to clarify logic and design intentions, ensuring thorough and accurate audits. Balancing thoroughness with tight project deadlines is another frequent challenge, requiring strong time management and communication skills.

What is the difference between Smart Contract Security Researcher vs Blockchain Security Analyst?

AspectSmart Contract Security ResearcherBlockchain Security Analyst
CredentialsKnowledge of blockchain development, security certifications, programming skillsSecurity certifications, understanding of blockchain protocols, analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, blockchain development teams, cybersecurity firmsFinancial institutions, blockchain companies, security consulting firms
Industry UsageFocus on smart contract vulnerabilities, code audits, security testingBroader blockchain security, network monitoring, threat detection

While both roles focus on blockchain security, the Smart Contract Security Researcher specializes in analyzing and securing smart contracts' code, whereas the Blockchain Security Analyst has a broader scope, including network security and threat analysis across blockchain platforms.

What are popular job titles related to Smart Contract Security Researcher jobs?

For Smart Contract Security Researcher jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Smart Contract Security Researcher job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,000 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Senior Smart Contract Security Researcher

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$185K - $245K/yr

Other

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Senior Smart Contract Security Researcher

You will map who really controls a protocol: which keys can move, freeze, or mint funds, and how exposed that leaves the people who hold the assets. Your analysis becomes the rating institutions read before they allocate.

What you'll do
  • Trace every privileged function in a protocol and attribute the on-chain power behind it.
  • Turn raw permission data into clear, comparable security and relevance scores.
  • Back-test the methodology against real exploits and tighten it where it misses.
  • Write the plain-language verdicts that sit on top of each evaluation.
What we're looking for
  • Deep familiarity with EVM smart contracts and common proxy, access-control, and upgrade patterns.
  • A track record of reading unfamiliar contracts and explaining how they can fail.
  • Comfort with on-chain data tooling and reproducible, evidence-backed analysis.
  • Clear writing: you can state a risk in one sentence and prove it in the next.
Nice to have
  • Audit, security research, or protocol engineering experience.
  • Published exploit analyses or contributions to security tooling.
Compensation

The salary range for this role is $185K to $245K, based on experience, plus equity and benefits. The range is shown up front so you know where you stand before the first call.

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