Lightspark

Principal Engineer, Spark (BTC/ETH/L2)

Los Angeles, California, United States

$280,000 – $310,000Compensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Fintech, Cryptocurrency, BlockchainIndustries

Requirements

Candidates should have 10+ years of engineering experience with significant contributions to Bitcoin, Ethereum, L2s, or the stablecoin ecosystem. Deep experience building adversarial distributed systems and protocol-level infrastructure is required, along with strong systems thinking and a proven ability to analyze complex systems. Proficiency across multiple languages and frameworks, including Go, Rust, C++, Python, and Kotlin, is necessary, as is hands-on experience with modern infrastructure tooling. A CS degree or equivalent is welcome but not required; deep crypto skills and proven contributions are valued.

Responsibilities

The Principal Engineer will design, build, and scale distributed backend services powering Spark, owning system architecture for highly available, low-latency services processing real-time global transactions. Responsibilities include extending and enhancing protocol capabilities for new assets and payment flows, writing high-quality, production-grade code across multiple domains, and analyzing complex distributed behaviors in adversarial environments to design resilient systems. The role involves working directly with leadership to influence long-term protocol direction and technical strategy, mentoring engineers, and adapting quickly to new challenges such as designing new systems, debugging complex distributed behaviors, or scaling production infrastructure.

Skills

Bitcoin
Ethereum
Layer 2 protocols
Distributed systems
Backend services
System architecture
Low-latency services
Real-time transactions
Protocol development
Scalability
Decentralized payments

Lightspark

Facilitates Bitcoin transactions via API and SDKs

About Lightspark

Lightspark focuses on facilitating Bitcoin transactions for businesses by providing an API and Software Development Kits (SDKs) that integrate with the Lightning Network. This technology allows for faster and cheaper cross-border payments by identifying efficient routes for transactions. Unlike competitors, Lightspark's service-based model enables businesses to leverage Bitcoin without needing deep technical expertise. The goal is to streamline payment processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective.

Los Angeles, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2022Year Founded
$1.3MTotal Funding
SEEDCompany Stage
Fintech, Crypto & Web3Industries
51-200Employees

Risks

Increased competition from fintech companies like Strike and OpenNode.
Regulatory scrutiny in the US and EU could impact cryptocurrency transactions.
Technological vulnerabilities in the Lightning Network may affect Lightspark's reputation.

Differentiation

Lightspark offers a robust API and SDKs for Bitcoin integration on the Lightning Network.
The company provides a dashboard for tracking and managing Bitcoin transactions efficiently.
Lightspark's Universal Money Address (UMA) enhances global payment solutions for businesses.

Upsides

Partnerships with Bitso and Foxbit expand Lightspark's reach in Latin America.
Introduction of Spark and UMA boosts Lightspark's product offerings and market appeal.
Strategic expansion into Africa with Yellow Card highlights growth in emerging markets.

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