Forward Development Engineer

Digital Asset develops cutting‑edge tools that are redefining how financial markets operate. Its flagship offering, the Canton Network, is a blockchain platform designed specifically for institutional finance, delivering privacy, regulatory compliance and high throughput for real‑time settlement across many asset types. The network is overseen by the Canton Foundation together with a consortium of major financial institutions. Founded in 2014, the company is headquartered in New York City and maintains offices in London, Zurich, Budapest, Hong Kong and Sydney, all working toward a common goal of moving trillions of dollars onto a secure digital layer. The Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) sits within the CX Engineering group but works ahead of any signed contract, collaborating directly with a prospective client's engineering, risk and product teams. In the "building" phase the role creates functional prototypes, smart contracts, registry applications and integration adapters, using Canton and Daml, assembles demo environments quickly, and connects the company's Registry and Utilities components. In the "presenting" phase the engineer showcases the solution to senior technical leaders such as a bank's Head of Digital Assets or a stablecoin issuer's CTO, fielding detailed technical questions and defending design choices. The FDE partners closely with Sales, Solutions Design and Network Strategy to turn code into a compelling proof of concept. Day‑to‑day duties involve shaping the technical story for early‑stage prospects, turning a client's problem description into a working Canton prototype or demo within days rather than months. The engineer designs and implements the prototype, ensuring it can survive scrutiny from engineers at large banks, market‑infrastructure firms and crypto‑focused companies. Direct collaboration with client teams defines the scope of proof‑of‑concepts and pilots covering tokenisation, collateral movement, on‑chain payments and stablecoin scenarios. The role also creates reusable accelerators, registry templates and demo assets that speed up future engagements, and feeds insights from field work back to the product and engineering groups to influence the roadmap. Additional responsibilities may arise as needed, especially for high‑profile engagements with New York‑based financial market infrastructures and global banks. The position requires a solid background in software engineering, with a track record of delivering production‑grade systems and rapid, credible prototypes under tight timelines. Candidates must be familiar with Daml and the Canton Network and be able to get up to speed quickly. They should be comfortable owning a client‑facing technical relationship at the CTO, Head of Engineering or Head of Digital Assets level, capable of designing architecture live and defending it under questioning. A full‑stack mindset is essential, covering smart‑contract logic, backend integration and enough front‑end work to make a demo persuasive. Deep knowledge of financial services or capital‑markets processes, such as how clearinghouses, custodians, banks or stablecoin issuers operate, is required. Experience scoping and building proofs‑of‑concept in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments, along with the ability to translate complex technical ideas for both senior technical and non‑technical audiences, is also mandatory. The role calls for curiosity, pragmatism, low ego and enthusiasm for tackling new problems regularly, plus willingness to travel 30‑40 % of the time to client sites worldwide. Digital Asset offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and vision coverage tailored to each region, family‑focused programs and flexible work arrangements. The company promotes an inclusive culture and equal‑opportunity hiring practices. What the role asks for: - Proven software engineering experience delivering production‑grade systems - Hands‑on knowledge of Daml and Canton Network - Ability to design and defend architecture directly with C‑level technical leaders - Full‑stack development skills: smart contracts, backend integration, front‑end demos - Deep understanding of financial services or capital‑markets operations - Experience building proofs‑of‑concept or pilots in ambiguous, fast‑moving settings - Strong skill translating complex technical ideas for senior and non‑technical audiences - Willingness to travel 30‑40% of time internationally and domestically