About this role.
Axiom is hiring a Forward Deployed Engineer to help crypto and fintech customers integrate OpenVM and the Axiom Proving API into production products. The role combines full-stack engineering, technical demonstrations and pilots, solution customization, and long-term ownership of technical customer relationships. The engineer will translate customer requirements into pragmatic implementations and feed field insights back into the product roadmap. Strong experience with Python, TypeScript, Kubernetes, Terraform, and customer-facing technical communication is central, while cryptography, blockchain, and systems-language experience are preferred. This is an early-stage, high-impact role with a strong preference for working in person in New York, though remote candidates are also considered without stated geographic eligibility limits.
Role DNA
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Job Complexity
5/5Pace & Pressure
5/5Autonomy Level
5/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
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Core skills
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Sample interview questions
I would start by aligning on the customer's business outcome, constraints, and measurable success criteria. I would then propose a small technical prototype, validate assumptions quickly with stakeholders, and iteratively productionize the solution while documenting decisions and risks. Throughout the engagement, I would maintain a clear feedback loop so both the customer and internal product team can act on what we learn.
I would identify one narrow, high-value workflow where verifiable computation materially reduces risk or creates product differentiation. Next, I would define integration boundaries, proof-generation performance targets, developer experience requirements, and success metrics. I would build a demonstrable end-to-end path, instrument it for reliability and latency, and conclude with a recommendation for scaling the pilot into production.
I would use Terraform to create repeatable, reviewed infrastructure and Kubernetes manifests or Helm tooling to standardize application deployment. Key considerations include secret management, least-privilege access, observability, autoscaling, rollout and rollback safety, and environment parity. I would also ensure CI/CD validates infrastructure changes and application behavior before production release.
I begin with the stakeholder's decision or business problem rather than the underlying mathematics. I use a simple analogy and a concrete example, then explain the trade-offs in terms of security, cost, latency, and operational complexity. I confirm understanding and provide deeper technical documentation for audiences that need implementation detail.
I would first determine whether the request reflects a repeatable customer segment need or a truly unique requirement. For repeatable needs, I would design a configurable, well-documented capability with clear ownership and testing; for unique requests, I would limit scope through integration layers and explicit maintenance expectations. I would share the evidence and trade-offs with product leadership so roadmap decisions are deliberate rather than driven solely by urgency.
About Us
Axiom is using zero-knowledge proofs to enable new types of verifiable and private software applications, starting with crypto and fintech. We are a small but incredibly strong team backed by the best investors in crypto. We’re looking for exceptional people who are excited to work on challenging and impactful problems in a fast-paced environment. Our office is in NYC and working in person in NY is our strong preference, but we’re open to remote candidates as well.
We recently released OpenVM, a performant and modular zkVM framework built for customization and extensibility. OpenVM allows developers to verify the correct execution of arbitrary computer programs in a flexible and performant way. We are building ZK-enabled products using OpenVM and supporting teams building on OpenVM.
The Role
We are looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer to help customers maximize the value they get out of OpenVM and the Axiom Proving API. You’ll design compelling product demos, execute pilots, and work closely with teams across crypto and fintech to integrate ZK into their products with OpenVM. Beyond the sales process, you will own technical customer relationships by customizing OpenVM for user needs and ensuring successful product impact. You will also help shape our product roadmap by deeply understanding and communicating customer needs.
We are looking for someone with strong technical skills, the ability to work across the stack, and a product- and customer-first mindset. We also value the ability to make pragmatic design choices to solve customer problems while maintaining sustainable engineering practices.
Who you are
You have a strong track record of shipping full-stack products across frontend and backend using Python, Typescript, or comparable stacks.
You are familiar with deploying applications using k8s and Terraform.
You’re a clear communicator and relationship-builder. You’re comfortable discussing complex technical topics with customers in all roles and levels.
You thrive in ambiguous environments and have a strong bias towards action.
You have an extremely strong work ethic.
Bonuses
You have experience selling a product or doing customer-facing work.
You have experience with cryptography or blockchain engineering.
You are proficient in Rust, C/C++, Go, or a similar backend language.
Why join us
You’ll be an early employee with ownership to make key technical/product decisions.
You’ll be working on groundbreaking tech that has the potential to be a key piece of infrastructure for the crypto industry and beyond.
You’ll receive a competitive salary with equity.
You will work with and receive mentorship from an exceptional team.
Our Team
Our founders Yi Sun and Jonathan Wang met while studying math at Harvard and have been working on ZK since 2021. Together, they wrote some of the most performant ZK circuits for elliptic curve cryptography and Ethereum data reads before starting Axiom.
Before Axiom, Yi was a professor at UChicago Statistics and did a math PhD at MIT. He was previously an advisor for Gauntlet and worked at an HFT startup from inception to profitable trading. Jonathan published number theory research in top math journals and did a math PhD at UChicago.
The rest of our small but incredibly strong team includes alums of Applied Intuition, Coinbase, Color, Neon, Google, and Perplexity as well as math / CS PhDs and IMO / IPhO / Codeforces winners. We look forward to working with you!
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