About CoW DAO

CoW DAO is on a mission to protect Ethereum users from MEV and optimize trade execution across DeFi. We achieve this through the CoW Protocol, CoW Swap (a leading intent-based DEX aggregator), and the innovative MEV Blocker, which together help secure, aggregate, and route trades for optimal outcomes. We also fund values-aligned projects via the CoW Grants Program.

CoW Protocol is consistently ranked among the top DEX aggregators by monthly volume and is the largest intent-based exchange. Our MEV Blocker protects trades from harmful MEV extraction and is integrated across the Ethereum ecosystem. The CoW AMM is the only live AMM designed to protect liquidity providers from LVR (loss-versus-rebalancing).

With over 100 open-source repositories on Dune Analytics dashboard showcases billions in cumulative trading volume and a rapidly growing user base. As we continue to scale, CoW DAO remains at the forefront of DeFi innovation, prioritizing security, efficiency, and decentralization.

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About the role

Location: We are a fully remote team, and although we hire almost globally, there is a preference for this role to be based in Europe or remote +/- 4 hours CEST time

Please note we’re not hiring from the US, Australia, or New Zealand

Position: Full-time contractor

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated backend engineer with Solana experience to help build the next generation of decentralized trading protocols on Solana. You will own and improve our backend services while contributing to the design and implementation of new features. This is a chance to work on technically challenging off-chain systems and developer-facing APIs, ensuring performant, reliable features for CoW Swap on Solana.

Our Tech Stack

• Backend Code: Rust, Tokio, Cargo, Git (https://github.com/cowprotocol/services)
• Infrastructure: Pulumi, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Grafana, Prometheus, Elasticsearch
• Other codebases: Typescript, Python, Solidity

What you will do

• Architect and develop off-chain services (core auction protocol, orderbook) to support feature growth and evolving needs on Solana
• Write concurrent backend systems in Rust and interact with Solana smart contracts, expanding your understanding of Solana programs and on-chain mechanics
• Participate in our on-call rotation to maintain reliability of production systems (on-call work is additionally compensated)
• Collaborate closely with researchers and the product team to ship features and solve complex technical problems
• Deliver high-quality code from concept to production, including monitoring and observability of production systems
• Provide thoughtful code reviews for colleagues’ contributions to our open-source codebase

Who you are

• 5+ years of production experience with systems-level programming languages, with at least 1+ year of hands-on production experience using Rust
• Practical experience in Solana development (writing/maintaining programs in Rust, using Anchor or equivalent frameworks)
• Strong computer science, programming, and algorithmic skills
• Experience in architecting, operating, and maintaining complex software systems
• Commitment to code quality, readability, observability, and testability
• Proactive in giving technical direction to improve performance, prevent issues, and optimize data usage
• Team player with excellent communication skills, able to collaborate effectively in a remote-first environment
• Ideally, senior-level experience mentoring colleagues and providing technical direction
• Excited to contribute to CoW Swap on Solana and help shape a cross-chain DeFi protocol

What we can offer you

• Flexible work environment: Join our hub in Lisbon or work remotely
• Token plan: Have a stake in our mission and shape the future of CoW DAO
• Periodic gatherings: Enjoy opportunities to connect with the rest of the team through regular trips
• Conference allocation: Stay up-to-date with ecosystem advancements using our conference budget
• Learning budget: Use our learning budget to support your higher ambitions
• Hardware budget: Take advantage of a hardware budget for acquiring necessary equipment
• Make an impact: You are joining a startup where you can make a huge difference. Your work matters!
• Flat hierarchies mean fewer processes and bureaucracy - see more of your ideas come to life!
• Flexible work and vacation times: Prioritize work-life balance through our robust flexible work policy and vacation allowance
• Growth: If you’re someone who loves taking the initiative and getting things done, CoW offers lots of opportunities for your individual growth

Referral Program

Earn 6.000 USDC or USD with the refer-to-earn program. More details here.

Culture

Life within the CoW Protocol is an incredible adventure! We take pride in our collaborative approach, embracing autonomy and fostering a culture of big thinking and continuous growth. We value impact, ownership, simplicity, and team spirit. Plus, we’re all about feedback, coming together, and enjoying the journey along the way!

At CoW Protocol, we strive to create a space where everyone feels included and empowered. We believe that our products and services benefit from our diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants are considered for positions regardless of race, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, marital status, gender identification, sexual orientation, or physical ability.