Lead Architect - Advanced Cryptography

JPMorganChase•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

We are seeking an Advanced Cryptography Specialist with deep expertise in zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and privacy-preserving cryptographic protocols. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in cryptography or a closely related field and have several years of hands-on experience applying advanced cryptographic techniques within the financial sector. The candidate will help leverage innovative cryptography at JPMorgan Chase. As a member of the Emerging Technologies Security group within the Cybersecurity & Technology Controls organization, you will work alongside cryptographers and a group of passionate security engineers to solve complex security problems and support the deployment of cryptography-based solutions. The position requires software development experience and strong industry experience (5 years or more) in combining cryptography and security best-practices to secure complex IT infrastructure, customer-facing services, and sensitive customer and enterprise data.

Requirements

Education: PhD in Cryptography, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a closely related field, with a dissertation or significant research in zero-knowledge proofs or privacy-preserving cryptography.
Experience: Minimum 5 years of post-PhD experience applying advanced cryptographic techniques, preferably in the financial sector (e.g., banking, payments, digital assets, or related domains).
Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of zero-knowledge proofs (e.g., zk-SNARKs, zk-STARKs, Bulletproofs, Sigma protocols).
Strong background in privacy technologies (e.g., confidential transactions, ring signatures, secure multi-party computation).
Proficiency in cryptographic protocol design, analysis, and implementation.
Experience with cryptographic libraries and tools (e.g., libsnark, Zokrates, Circom, or similar).
Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with regulatory and compliance considerations for privacy technologies in the financial sector.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

Research & Development: Lead the design, analysis and application of cryptographic protocols, with a focus on zero-knowledge proofs, privacy-preserving technologies and quantum-safe cryptography.
Solution Implementation: Architect and implement cryptographic solutions for privacy and confidentiality in financial and non-financial applications, including blockchain-based systems.
Collaboration: Work closely with other cryptographers, product, engineering, and compliance teams to integrate advanced cryptographic techniques into real-world financial products and services.
Security Assessment: Evaluate and enhance the security of existing and new cryptographic protocols, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Thought Leadership: Stay abreast of the latest research in cryptography and privacy, and represent the organization in academic and industry forums.
Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior cryptographers and engineers in advanced cryptographic concepts and best practices.
Assess existing cryptographic libraries
Evaluate existing crypto-agile approaches and tools – help define and implement JPMC-centric solutions
Assist with performance impact assessment of post-quantum cryptography solutions and deployments
Communicate ongoing work with other teams or organizations