Sr Lead Software Engineer - R&D

Senior Technologist

At Schwab, you're empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us "challenge the status quo" and transform the finance industry together.

We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s).

Schwab Technology Services (STS) Research & Development team is responsible for exploring innovative technologies and identifying ways that organizations throughout Schwab might benefit from their application.

We are seeking a senior technologist to join Schwab's Research & Development team, bringing subject matter expertise in blockchain and digital assets alongside a strong foundation in software architecture and engineering. This role will support key R&D initiatives focused on digital asset capabilities—including tokenization, custody models, and next-generation financial infrastructure—while also contributing across a broader portfolio of emerging technology exploration.

This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in ambiguous, innovation-driven environments, enjoys evaluating and prototyping new technologies, and can operate both as a domain expert in digital assets and a generalist across adjacent technology areas such as AI/ML, cloud-native architecture, and digital trust.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a technical thought leader, driving innovation across multiple R&D initiatives through development of proof-of-concepts and architectural exploration.
• Provide subject matter expertise in digital assets and blockchain technologies, helping shape Schwab's perspective on tokenization, custody, and on-chain financial infrastructure.
• Evaluate blockchain architectures, smart contract frameworks, and tokenization models to assess applicability within a regulated financial services environment.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear insights for business and technology stakeholders, helping inform strategic decision-making.
• Contribute to internal research, whitepapers, and presentations that advance Schwab's understanding of digital assets and emerging technologies.
• Engage with industry participants, technology partners, and internal stakeholders to stay informed on evolving trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support a broader set of R&D initiatives beyond digital assets, applying architectural thinking across domains such as AI/ML, cloud-native systems, and digital identity/trust.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive software development and engineering experience, with a strong foundation in system design and architecture.
• Experience working with blockchain technologies or digital asset platforms, including familiarity with distributed ledger concepts and tokenization approaches.
• Ability to operate as a subject matter expert in digital assets while applying technical expertise across multiple domains.
• Strong understanding of modern software architectures and distributed systems.
• Experience designing or evaluating secure systems, with familiarity in cryptographic principles or financial infrastructure concepts.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Java, Python, Rust or Go.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate research into practical insights and prototypes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with digital asset ecosystems, including blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum or similar), tokenization models, or wallet infrastructures.
• Familiarity with custody models, key management approaches (e.g., HSMs, MPC), or secure transaction workflows.
• Knowledge of token standards and smart contract frameworks.
• Experience in fintech, financial services, or regulated environments.
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance considerations relevant to digital assets (e.g., SEC, FINRA, AML/KYC).
• Exposure to emerging areas such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), decentralized identity (DID), or central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
• Experience contributing to research, prototyping, or innovation-focused teams.

In addition to the salary range, this role is also eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.