Software Engineer (Crypto - SV) - US - 2026

About Nu

Nu is one of the largest digital financial platforms in Latin America, serving over 127 million customers in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. We are dedicated to simplifying financial services and empowering individuals through innovative technology and data intelligence.

About the Role

We are expanding our crypto infrastructure to enhance financial access for millions of people across Latin America. As part of our growing engineering hub in Palo Alto, California, we are seeking a Lead Software Engineer, Crypto to join our focused crypto team. This role requires expertise in cryptographic systems, protocols, and blockchain infrastructure, with a strong focus on security and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Own cryptographic systems, protocols, or blockchain infrastructure for your domain, including key management, signing flows, and on-chain integrations.
• Design and implement secure, compliant crypto infrastructure that meets the highest standards for correctness and reliability.
• Think adversarially: design systems assuming they will be attacked, conduct threat modeling, and build defensive architectures.
• Navigate the intersection of cryptography, distributed systems, and financial regulation, ensuring all systems meet compliance requirements.
• Lead security reviews and code quality processes for crypto-related systems, enforcing a high bar for production readiness.
• Collaborate with security, compliance, and product teams to ensure crypto features are both safe and user-friendly.
• Mentor peers on crypto engineering best practices and contribute to the team's security-first engineering culture.

Requirements

• Track record of building and operating cryptographic systems, blockchain infrastructure, or secure financial systems in production.
• Deep understanding of cryptographic primitives, key management, signing protocols, and consensus mechanisms.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals with experience in languages used in crypto infrastructure (e.g., Go, Rust, Java, Python).
• Experience designing systems with an adversarial mindset: threat modeling, security reviews, and defensive architecture.
• Understanding of financial regulation as it applies to crypto and digital assets, with experience building compliant systems.
• Demonstrated ability to make high-stakes engineering decisions where correctness and security are non-negotiable.
• Experience collaborating with security, compliance, and legal teams on system design and review processes.

Nice to Have

• Experience with specific blockchain protocols (e.g., Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana) and their integration patterns.
• Background in DeFi protocols, custody solutions, or institutional crypto infrastructure.
• Experience in fintech, payments, or other financial services environments with strict regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with HSMs, secure enclaves, and hardware-backed key management systems.
• Proficiency with AI-assisted development tools and a thoughtful approach to leveraging AI in security-critical engineering.

Benefits

• Earn equity at Nu
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and AD&D coverage
• Extended maternity and paternity leave
• Nucleo – Our learning platform of courses
• NuLanguage – Our language learning program
• NuCare – Our mental health and wellness assistance program
• 401K savings plans – Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account
• Work-from-home allowance
• Relocation assistance package, if applicable

Schedule

Hybrid 2-3 times/week: Our hybrid work model brings us to the office at least twice a week, on strategic days designed to maximize team connection and collaboration. For more details, visit here.