Software Development and Engineering Lead/Senior

Your opportunity

At Schwab, you’re empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together.

We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s).

Schwab Technology Services enables the future of how clients manage their money by providing innovative and reliable technology products and services as part of our ongoing commitment to democratize access to investing and financial planning.

Charles Schwab is launching a new Digital Assets / Crypto initiative as part of its broader investment platform strategy. The Crypto program roadmap includes advanced features such as wallet custody, stable coin offerings, tokenization, and blockchain integration — capabilities that require deep, specialized Crypto expertise. We are building a dedicated Crypto engineering team within the Portfolio Management Technology group, and this is an exciting opportunity to be among the founding members shaping the future of digital assets at Schwab.

Charles Schwab is recruiting a driven, purposeful Principal Software Developer & Engineer (Crypto) who shares our passion for business, technology, and blockchain innovation. This position will be part of the Portfolio Management Technology team and focused on designing and building ultra-low latency, high volume, and reliable next-generation Crypto and blockchain applications. Ideal candidates enjoy fast-paced environments, thrive under ambiguity, and are passionate about the rapidly evolving digital assets space.

Key Responsibilities:

- Design, develop, and maintain Crypto and blockchain-based applications including wallet custody, tokenization, and stable coin platform components.
- Develop and deploy smart contracts using Solidity, ensuring security, gas optimization, and auditability.
- Build robust back-end services and infrastructure that interact with blockchain networks using Node.js and other backend frameworks.
- Own the architecture and design of Crypto platform components, developing reference patterns in C#/.NET and guiding tech leads and engineers in implementation.
- Collaborate with lead resources across US locations to align technology strategies and ensure consistent design patterns and seamless application integration.
- Participate in architecture governance councils, providing critical feedback and direction on blockchain and Crypto solution designs to ensure standardization.
- Provide subject matter expertise on Crypto and blockchain technologies during architecture reviews, assisting with pattern selection and solution design.
- Collaborate across domains with other Architects, Product Owners, and Business Stakeholders to ensure consistency and seamless platform integration.
- Build and maintain integrations with third-party Crypto exchanges, custodians, and blockchain data providers.
- Implement cryptographic protocols and security best practices to safeguard digital asset transactions and key management.
- Leverage AI-powered development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, AI code review, automated testing) to accelerate coding, improve code quality, and drive engineering productivity across the Crypto platform.
- Develop an AI-led vision to transform the SDLC pipeline and improve team productivity and efficiency within the Crypto domain.
- Collaborate effectively with offshore engineering teams, including Schwab India, to coordinate development efforts, ensure knowledge transfer, and maintain consistent delivery standards across time zones.
- Be a champion of modernization and platform thinking by leading initiatives that simplify and modernize the legacy ecosystem for digital asset support.

What you have

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, or related discipline.
- 10+ years of software development experience, with significant hands-on engineering contributions.
- 4+ years of experience in Crypto/blockchain development, including smart contract development, cryptography, and distributed systems.
- Strong proficiency in Solidity and JavaScript/TypeScript for smart contract and dApp development.
- Hands-on experience with Node.js and backend frameworks for building infrastructure that interacts with blockchain networks.
- Strong foundation in cryptography, blockchain protocols, data structures, and distributed systems.
- 6+ years of experience in financial services, preferably at a brokerage firm, with knowledge of trading platforms, digital assets, or securities processing.
- Experience with running medium to large/complex projects with multiple dependencies using Agile (Scrum/Kanban/Scaled Agile) processes.
- History of delivering solutions consistently and managing the complexity of large project implementations.
- Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate successfully with business partners, technology teams, production support, and infrastructure teams.
- Strong influencing, negotiating priorities, and problem-solving skills with an ability to identify stakeholders, assess their needs and manage their expectations through effective communication.
- Demonstrated ability and curiosity to evangelize vision and direction in a way that drives team engagement and motivation.
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, AI-based code generation, automated testing frameworks) to enhance developer productivity and code quality.
- Experience working with globally distributed engineering teams, including offshore teams in India, with the ability to collaborate effectively across time zones and cultural contexts.
- Self-starter with strong prioritization and multitasking capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a flexible and fast-paced environment, including the ability to think big in a rapidly evolving technology space. Ability to successfully handle ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with wallet custody solutions, tokenization platforms, and stable coin systems.
- Experience with Ethereum, Solana, or other major blockchain platforms and Layer 2 solutions.
- Experience with DeFi protocols and cross-chain bridge technologies.
- Experience owning and operating multiple instances of a mission-critical application across regions.
- Experience with Agile development methodology and Behavior Driven Development (BDD).
- Experience using telemetry and metrics to drive operational excellence.
- Knowledge of Aerospike NoSQL, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL databases.
- Knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Pivotal Cloud Foundry (PCF).
- Knowledge of application integration with BPM platforms, including Pegasystems and Appian.
- Broad knowledge of the software engineering and architecture space: frameworks, techniques, and industry trends — especially as they relate to blockchain and digital assets.
- Experience integrating AI/ML tools into the software development lifecycle, including AI-driven code generation, testing, and deployment automation.
- Experience coordinating with offshore development teams (e.g., Schwab India) on shared codebases, sprint ceremonies, and cross-site delivery.
- Experience growing high-performing engineering teams, focused on continuous improvement.
- Experience as a technical leader in an organization, including coaching and mentoring, working through complex problems, and collaborating with business partners to deliver amazing client experiences.