Profile of a Web3 Engineer

^{How to hire a Web3 Engineer}

What is Web3? Web3 explained.

Web3 refers to a new era of the internet - and more specifically, the decentralized era of the internet. In Web3, decentralized technologies like cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenization, and NFTs will have a greater importance than ever before on the everyday consumer - and as a result - greater importance in business.

Companies working on projects like creating Decentralized Finance (DeFi) products, or building smart contracts, can benefit from hiring more specialized team members to advise and guide strategy around building a business on Web3.

Similar to Data engineers [link], successful Web3 engineers often have advanced degrees, or progressive experience in engineering management roles.

Web3 still seems so new. Do I need to hire a Web3 engineer?

The answer depends. Is your company exploring initiatives and new business related to Web3? If that’s the case, hiring a Web3 engineer could be a solid investment.

However, if you’re a company making one of your first engineering hires, or you’re in a niche industry for which it helps to have experience in a specific, non-tech industry (like agricultural technology, or government defense), you may be better suited to hire a different type of software engineer (link to software engineer page).

What are some of the skills a successful Web3 Engineer should have?

DevOps or SRE (Site Reliability) experience: Successful Engineers may need at least a baseline understanding of DevOps and Site Reliability experience.
Experience and/or interest in Blockchain (Bitcoin, EVM, Solana, BSC, Terra): Web3 Engineers will likely be working on projects that involve DeFi products, smart contracts, or other products that rely on blockchain technology.
Passion or interest in Web3 and decentralized technology: Many Engineers are excited about the new applications and greater good Web3 can bring. A passion for decentralized technology - or at least an appreciation for how it can be used - can be an indicator of a successful Web3 Engineer.

How do I find candidates that have experience specific to Web3?

Hiring for Web3 roles can look a lot like hiring for regular engineering roles, but it’s important to spend a little bit of time thinking about what you want in a Web3 Engineer specifically.

Write a job description that captures what’s compelling about the role and why someone should join. The job description for a Web3 engineer should answer the question - why is this exciting? Why join a Web3 startup, or company?
Ask your network and those you know for referrals. Post on LinkedIn that you’re hiring, and write a post sharing the job description in a fun and exciting way.
Reach out to people who are good fits to set up a conversation. Tools like AngelList and Triplebyte can be a great place to start.
Get comfortable interviewing. Develop a list of questions to refer to during the interview, and ask your candidates why they’re interested in the role, or where their interest in Web3 comes from.
When the time comes, hire a recruiter to help out with your search. Hiring the right person for the role can mean great success for your company.

What are some typical Web3 jobs?

Job titles for Web3 engineers can vary. Some of the job titles you can expect when hiring Web3 candidates may include:

Web3 Engineer
Senior Web3 Engineer
Web3 Engineer Manager
Director of Web3 Engineering
Blockchain Engineer
Smart Contract Engineer
DeFi Fullstack Engineer
Blockchain Engineering Manager
Data Engineer
Senior Engineer, Web3

Smart Contracts Engineer

Frontend Engineer

Backend Engineer

Site Reliability Engineer