Smart Contract Engineer SVM
Veda Tech Labs
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Veda Tech Labs is open to applicants from South Africa. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Veda builds vault infrastructure for DeFi at scale. We manage $2B+ in total value locked across 15+ blockchain networks, powering yield strategies for partners including Kraken, Etherfi, and Plasma. Our protocol turns complex multi-chain DeFi positions into simple vault interfaces that institutional and retail users can actually trust.
We seek individuals with high agency to join us in defining the next phase of DeFi growth and adoption. The ideal candidate takes ownership, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and adapts swiftly to evolving demands.
The Role
As an SVM Engineer, you will design, implement, and optimize smart contracts and DeFi protocols on the Solana Virtual Machine. With a special focus on vault architecture and security, you'll be responsible for creating robust financial applications that maintain the highest standards of security while delivering exceptional performance.
Design and develop smart contracts and DeFi protocols on the Solana Virtual MachineBuild and optimize secure vault systems for asset management and yield strategiesCollaborate with security teams to ensure protocols are protected against exploitsIntegrate with existing DeFi protocols and establish cross-protocol compatibilityOptimize code for Solana's parallel execution environmentConduct thorough testing and debugging of smart contractsResearch and implement innovative solutions to improve scalability and reduce transaction costsStay current with the latest developments in the Solana ecosystem and DeFi spaceContribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing
* Design and develop smart contracts and DeFi protocols on the Solana Virtual Machine
Design and develop smart contracts and DeFi protocols on the Solana Virtual Machine
* Build and optimize secure vault systems for asset management and yield strategies
Build and optimize secure vault systems for asset management and yield strategies
* Collaborate with security teams to ensure protocols are protected against exploits
Collaborate with security teams to ensure protocols are protected against exploits
* Integrate with existing DeFi protocols and establish cross-protocol compatibility
Integrate with existing DeFi protocols and establish cross-protocol compatibility
* Optimize code for Solana's parallel execution environment
Optimize code for Solana's parallel execution environment
* Conduct thorough testing and debugging of smart contracts
Conduct thorough testing and debugging of smart contracts
* Research and implement innovative solutions to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs
Research and implement innovative solutions to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs
* Stay current with the latest developments in the Solana ecosystem and DeFi space
Stay current with the latest developments in the Solana ecosystem and DeFi space
* Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing
Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing
Experience building, deploying, and maintaining SVM smart contracts in productionStrong programming experience in RustDeep understanding of Solana and low-level SVM conceptsThorough understanding of the Solana Virtual Machine architecture and its constraintsExperience building DeFi protocols (lending, trading, yield farming, etc.)Knowledge of cryptographic principles and blockchain security best practicesFamiliarity with Solana Program Library (SPL) and ecosystem toolsUnderstanding of vault architectures in DeFi contextsExperience with on-chain security patterns and common vulnerabilitiesSolid grasp of financial concepts as they apply to decentralized financeProblem-solving attitude and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
* Experience building, deploying, and maintaining SVM smart contracts in production
Experience building, deploying, and maintaining SVM smart contracts in production
* Strong programming experience in Rust
Strong programming experience in Rust
* Deep understanding of Solana and low-level SVM concepts
Deep understanding of Solana and low-level SVM concepts
* Thorough understanding of the Solana Virtual Machine architecture and its constraints
Thorough understanding of the Solana Virtual Machine architecture and its constraints
* Experience building DeFi protocols (lending, trading, yield farming, etc.)
Experience building DeFi protocols (lending, trading, yield farming, etc.)
* Knowledge of cryptographic principles and blockchain security best practices
Knowledge of cryptographic principles and blockchain security best practices
* Familiarity with Solana Program Library (SPL) and ecosystem tools
Familiarity with Solana Program Library (SPL) and ecosystem tools
* Understanding of vault architectures in DeFi contexts
Understanding of vault architectures in DeFi contexts
* Experience with on-chain security patterns and common vulnerabilities
Experience with on-chain security patterns and common vulnerabilities
* Solid grasp of financial concepts as they apply to decentrali
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
Even without a listed salary, international remote roles typically pay 2-3x more than equivalent local positions in South Africa due to the exchange rate advantage.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Veda Tech Labs
Veda Tech Labs is a company in the defi industry that hires remote workers from South Africa.