Applied Cryptographer at Mercor

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Role Description

This role involves designing, implementing, and reviewing cryptographic primitives and protocols. You’ll identify and mitigate risks like side channels, entropy issues, and misuse of libraries while guiding secure key and certificate management practices.

• Design and implement cryptographic primitives and secure protocols
• Review code paths for cryptographic misuse, side channels, and entropy flaws
• Guide secure key management, PKI, and certificate handling practices
• Integrate cryptography into production AI systems with performance and robustness in mind
• Work with engineers to ensure end-to-end encryption and secure communications
• Document cryptographic workflows and establish best practices for the team

Qualifications

• Background in computer science, mathematics, or information security
• Proficient in Python and C or Rust, with hands-on experience in secure systems programming
• Strong knowledge of cryptographic primitives and protocols (AES, RSA, ECDH, TLS)
• Experienced with OpenSSL/LibreSSL, libsodium, and PKI infrastructure
• Understand HSMs, secure key storage, and certificate lifecycle management
• Can identify and mitigate side-channel vulnerabilities and entropy problems
• Care deeply about ensuring cryptographic systems are usable, reliable, and secure in practice

Requirements

• Deep understanding of applied cryptography
• Experience bringing security into production-grade systems

Benefits

• Weekly Bonus of $500–$1000 USD per 5 tasks
• Remote and flexible working style

Company Description

Mercor is hiring an Applied Cryptographer on behalf of a leading AI lab.