Blockchain Data Engineer, Blockchain Lab

The mission of FINRA’s Blockchain Lab (the “Lab”) is to serve as a central point within FINRA for the development of blockchain initiatives; to build capacity within the organization to develop technology solutions to oversee the activity of member firm’s blockchain related activities; to identify, analyze and assist with the deployment of offerings by third-party blockchain vendors to assist with FINRA’s regulatory functions; and to serve as resource within FINRA for expertise on matters related to blockchain technology.

The Data Engineer for the Blockchain Lab will independently conduct development efforts related to the Lab's initiatives and facilitate collaboration with key internal stakeholders. In addition, the data engineer provides high level guidance to internal clients. The data engineer will also need to be able to independently lead moderate to complete projects, as well as conduct complex research and make recommendations to senior management. This would include independently making recommendations to senior management regarding development and vendor related matters.

The Data Engineer will contribute to efforts to explore, develop, and test regulatory tools for monitoring activity on public and private blockchain networks. The Data Engineer will be responsible for following developments in blockchain networks and manage network nodes, as well as developing tools to analyze and visualize blockchain data. This role requires strong technical abilities, plus the ability to partner with other teams within FINRA to explore Proof of Concepts (POCs) and implement solutions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborate and partner across business teams to explore POCs and build regulatory tools based on results.
• Develop and work with internal stakeholders in design, implementation, testing, and operation of new tools.
• Work on the development of platforms to interact with blockchain networks and query, extract and analyze data.
• Ensure compliance with FINRA technology policies and standards and security controls.
• Keep abreast of market developments in blockchain space
• Work on analysis, written summaries, presentations and commentary designed to inform decision makers of information pertaining blockchain technology and related regulatory impact
• Work to identify technology best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Solidity, Rust, Go, JavaScript, TypeScript, NodeJS or other programming languages necessary for smart contract development or auditing.
• Experience developing applications on major L1s and L2s, e.g. Ethereum, Solana, etc.
• Deep knowledge of DeFi and NFTs and the crypto tech stack.
• Experience with data analytics tools, e.g. Dataiku, Pentaho, PowerBI.
• Experience programmatically processing, analyzing, and charting data, e.g. Python, Pandas, Matplotlib, Plotly, Dash.

Other Responsibilities:

• Lead or participate in ad hoc special projects and initiatives as requested by Senior Director.
• Identify, implement and promote actions to increase efficiency and effectiveness of Lab operations.
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent experience) is required, preferably in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field. 
• At least 4 years of software development and programing experience (e.g., using Java, C/C++, Python)
• Some experience in oversight of technical project, program and/or practice area
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial individual that can work in an experimental setting.
• Ability to collaborate across business teams and optimize tasks to create business value.
• Excellent interpersonal communication with strong verbal/written English skills
• Knowledge of SQL

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid office environment. 
• Occasional travel and extended hours may be required. 
• Public speaking and appearing at regulatory conferences are required.

For work that is performed in CA, Washington, DC, CO, HI, New York, NY and WA, the chart below outlines the proposed salary range for the corresponding location. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s skill set, level of experience, education, and internal peer compensation comparisons.

California: Minimum of $115,200, Maximum of $227,500

Washington, DC: Minimum of $120,100, Maximum of $218,100

Colorado/Hawaii: Minimum of $104,500, Maximum of $189,600
New York, NY: Minimum of $125,400, Maximum of $227,500
Washington St: Minimum of $104,500, Maximum of $218,100

#LI-Hybrid

To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

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Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance.  Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal.  FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement and many other benefits. 

Time Off and Paid Leave*

FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time-off program of 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days (all pro-rated in the first year). Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full-time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member leave (available after 90 days of employment); and childbirth and parental leave (available after 90 days of employment). Full-time employees receive nine paid holidays.

*Based on full-time schedule

Important Information

FINRA’s Code of Conduct imposes restrictions on employees’ investments and requires financial disclosures that are uniquely related to our role as a securities regulator. FINRA employees are required to disclose to FINRA all brokerage accounts that they maintain, and those in which they control trading or have a financial interest (including any trust account of which they are a trustee or beneficiary and all accounts of a spouse, domestic partner or minor child who lives with the employee) and to authorize their broker-dealers to provide FINRA with duplicate statements for all of those accounts. All of those accounts are subject to the Code’s investment and securities account restrictions, and new employees must comply with those investment restrictions—including disposing of any security issued by a company on FINRA’s Prohibited Company List or obtaining a written waiver from their Executive Vice President—by the date they begin employment with FINRA. Employees may only maintain securities accounts that must be disclosed to FINRA at one or more securities firms that provide an electronic feed (e-feed) of data to FINRA, and must move securities accounts from other securities firms to a firm that provides an e-feed within three months of beginning employment.

You can read more about these restrictions here.

As standard practice, employees must also execute FINRA’s Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement without qualification or modification and comply with the company’s policy on nepotism.

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