Backend Engineer - Cross-Chain Bridge (Web3) - Fulltime - Worldwide

Engagement type: Freelance contractor → path to long-term/full-time
Location: Remote, open globally (Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia)
Team: 3 backend engineers, hired one at a time

About the Role

Client is launching a new product division to build a cross-chain bridge — a direct competitor to Relay.link — from the ground up. This is a new team, new codebase, new tech stack decision: you'll be part of the founding engineering group that architects and builds the product, not maintaining existing systems.

The stack isn't locked yet. Node.js/TypeScript is the likely direction (Rust is on the table if budget allows), and the team will finalize architecture decisions together once onboarded.

What You'll Do

• Architect and build a crypto bridge product from scratch — backend-heavy, high-throughput, security-critical infrastructure
• Design and implement backend APIs and services supporting cross-chain asset transfers
• Work directly with the founding team to make foundational technical decisions (stack, architecture, infra)
• Collaborate with an existing frontend team (frontend is already covered — this role is backend-focused)

Must-Have

• Strong backend engineering experience (5+ years preferred) — Node.js / TypeScript full-stack or backend-focused
• Solid API design and database experience
• Comfortable working in a 0-to-1 environment with ambiguous, evolving requirements

Nice-to-Have (paid at a premium)

• Web3 / smart contract development experience
• Hands-on crypto trading or crypto project experience (building, not just using)
• Financial products / fintech background

Logistics

• Team currently fully remote, based around UAE time zone
• Company plans to establish a physical UAE office in 6–8 months; relocation preferred for long-term hires but not a dealbreaker
• Interview process: single conversational interview with founder, followed by paid trial period

Company Context

Client is ~1 year old (founded ~October), team of 10, growing fast over the past 3–4 months. This bridge product is a new division under the main brand, separate from the core exchange product and team.