Innovation Specialist
Blockstream was founded in 2014 by Dr. Adam Back and a group of fellow cryptographers and engineers who are passionate about Bitcoin and its potential to change the world. Today, Blockstream is the leading Bitcoin company, providing cutting-edge infrastructure solutions for enterprises, institutions, and individual Bitcoin users. We develop industry-leading Bitcoin self-custody solutions, Bitcoin-based financial products, second-layer scaling technologies, and enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure.
We are seeking an Innovation Specialist, a forward-thinking role focused on researching emerging blockchain technologies, prototyping new solutions, and supporting innovation initiatives for banking and institutional clients. This role combines technical curiosity with strategic thinking to identify and explore new opportunities in distributed ledger technology, digital assets, and financial services innovation.
Within the Service & Enterprise Solutions organization, the Innovation Specialist serves as a bridge between cutting-edge technology research and practical client solutions. This role works closely with Solution Architects, Product teams, and senior leadership to explore emerging trends, develop proof-of-concepts, and contribute to thought leadership in blockchain and fintech innovation.
What You'll Be Doing (Responsibilities):
Research and evaluate emerging blockchain technologies, protocols, and industry trends
Support the design and development of proof-of-concepts (POCs) and technology prototypes
Analyze new use cases for distributed ledger technology in banking and financial services
Collaborate with clients to understand innovation objectives and identify technology opportunities
Conduct technical feasibility assessments for emerging technologies
Support innovation workshops, hackathons, and client engagement activities
Document research findings, technology assessments, and prototype outcomes
Contribute to thought leadership content including whitepapers and presentations
Stay current with developments in blockchain ecosystems and digital asset innovations
Partner with Product and Engineering teams to evolve prototypes toward production
What We Look for In You (Required Qualifications):
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, or related field
1-3 years of experience in technology research, innovation roles, or strong academic research background (thesis projects, research papers, innovation labs)
Strong understanding of blockchain technology fundamentals and distributed systems concepts
Technical background with ability to read and understand code (Python, JavaScript, or similar)
Experience with or willingness to learn prototyping and POC development
Self-starter with proven ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and geographies, demonstrating high-quality and high-touch customer engagement throughout all phases of delivery
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts clearly
Intellectual curiosity and passion for emerging technologies
Languages: English required; German/ Swiss German, French and/or Italian a plus
Location: Switzerland, with focus on Lugano.
Nice To Haves (Preferred Qualifications):
Knowledge of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other blockchain platforms
Understanding of smart contracts, DeFi protocols, or Layer-2 scaling solutions
Familiarity with tokenization, digital asset custody, or crypto economics
Interest in cryptography, zero-knowledge proofs, or privacy-enhancing technologies
Experience writing technical content, blog posts, or research papers
Participation in blockchain hackathons, developer communities, or open-source projects
Understanding of financial services, banking systems, or regulatory frameworks
Interest in progressing into senior innovation, research, or technical leadership roles
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