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Zk Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Our core product is SP1, a breakthrough zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine) that enables developers to generate ZK proofs from normal code (like Rust) with state-of-the-art performance. To support ...

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$100/day

Docs * Code About The Role We are seeking a systems-focused engineer to join our close-knit team ... About You You're excited by hard systems problems: trading infrastructure, ZK, distributed systems ...

Docs * Code About The Role We are seeking a systems-focused engineer to join our close-knit team ... About You You're excited by hard systems problems: trading infrastructure, ZK, distributed systems ...

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$100/day

Docs * Code About The Role We are seeking a systems-focused engineer to join our close-knit team ... About You You're excited by hard systems problems: trading infrastructure, ZK, distributed systems ...

Senior Software Engineer - CUDA

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site +1

$144K - $189K/yr

We empower developers by providing robust infrastructure and user-friendly tools, enabling them to ... Room for continuous growth and development in the ZK field.

Senior Software Engineer - CUDA

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site +1

$144K - $189K/yr

We empower developers by providing robust infrastructure and user-friendly tools, enabling them to ... Room for continuous growth and development in the ZK field.

Hinkal Protocol is ZK-based blockchain privacy protocol backed by top Silicon Valley VCs. The team ... They are looking for full stack (react + node.js) developers to join the team as one of the ...

New

Zk Engineer information

What is the difference between Zk Engineer vs Blockchain Developer?

AspectZk EngineerBlockchain Developer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of zero-knowledge proofs, cryptography, programming skillsProficiency in blockchain platforms, smart contract development, cryptography
Work EnvironmentResearch-focused, cryptography labs, blockchain companiesSoftware development teams, blockchain startups, fintech firms
Industry UsageSpecialized in privacy-preserving tech, zero-knowledge protocolsDeveloping decentralized applications, smart contracts, blockchain solutions

While both roles involve blockchain technology and cryptography, Zk Engineers specialize in zero-knowledge proofs and privacy solutions, whereas Blockchain Developers focus on building decentralized applications and smart contracts across various blockchain platforms.

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

To thrive as a Zk Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, cryptography, and mathematics, often supported by experience with zero-knowledge proofs and blockchain technologies. Familiarity with programming languages like Rust or Go, zk-SNARK/zk-STARK frameworks, and cryptographic libraries is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and addressing complex engineering challenges. These skills are essential to ensure robust, secure, and scalable implementations of zero-knowledge protocols within blockchain and privacy-focused systems.

What is a Zk Engineer?

A Zk Engineer is a specialist who works with zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptography, a technology that enables one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any additional information. Zk Engineers typically design, develop, and implement zero-knowledge protocols and applications, often for blockchain, privacy, and security use cases. Their work involves cryptographic research, writing efficient code (often in languages like Rust or Solidity), and collaborating with other engineers to integrate ZK systems into larger platforms. This role is crucial for advancing privacy and scalability solutions across decentralized technologies.

What are some common challenges Zk Engineers face when implementing zero-knowledge proofs in production systems?

Zk Engineers often encounter challenges related to optimizing the performance and scalability of zero-knowledge proof systems, as these cryptographic protocols can be computationally intensive. Ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and maintaining security standards while integrating new proof systems can also be complex. Additionally, staying updated with rapidly evolving zero-knowledge technologies and frameworks requires continuous learning and adaptability. Collaborative problem-solving with developers, security teams, and product managers is key to overcoming these obstacles and successfully deploying robust solutions.
What job categories do people searching Zk Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Zk Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Zk Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Zk Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Zk Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

General Application

Succinct

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

What We're Building
Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are critical to the future of blockchain scaling, interoperability, and privacy, but are too complex for most developers today. Succinct's mission is to make ZKPs simple and accessible for all builders.
Our core product is SP1, a breakthrough zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine) that enables developers to generate ZK proofs from normal code (like Rust) with state-of-the-art performance.
To support SP1, we've built the Succinct Prover Network -- a protocol on Ethereum that coordinates a decentralized network of provers for universal ZK proof generation. This lets developers outsource proving to a global, competitive marketplace of provers.
Our infrastructure is already in production with many of the best teams in crypto:
  • Polygon is using SP1 to build AggLayer and Katana
  • Celestia and Avail use our network to secure Ethereum bridges
  • Mantle ($2B TVL) is using it to become the world's largest ZK Layer 2
  • And many more, including Celo, Interchain (IBC V2), Hibachi, Lido, Galxe, Taiko, Sovereign, and others

zkVMs are now a key part of Ethereum's scaling roadmap, and Succinct is at the forefront -- delivering real-world impact, meaningful revenue, and some of the most technically ambitious work in ZK.
We've raised $55M across Seed and Series A from Paradigm, and we're a small, high-performing team focused on building deeply technical products with real-world adoption.
Our careers page reflects our highest-priority hiring needs. If you don't see the right role for you posted, please apply here with your resume and we'll reach out if we see that there's something we can work on together!