Impossible Cloud is hiring a

Web3 Principal Architect

At Impossible Cloud Network (ICN), we are pioneering the #1 enterprise-grade decentralized open cloud platform for hardware and service providers, as well as developers. Founded by seasoned entrepreneurs who previously built a billion-euro tech company, we are on a mission to revolutionize the cloud industry.

What You'll Do

• Spearhead Architectural Strategy: Lead the high-level design of our decentralised protocols and systems. Author whitepapers, architectural diagrams, and technical proposals that outline the path forward.
• Decentralise Core Systems: Critically analyse our existing infrastructure and devise pragmatic, phased strategies to migrate components from centralised to decentralised architectures.
• Drive Foundational Decisions: Provide definitive recommendations on critical "build vs. buy" decisions. You will be expected to form strong, evidence-based opinions on topics like L1/L2 selection, protocol design, consensus mechanisms, and data availability.
• Validate and Iterate: Present your architectural proposals to the engineering and product teams. You must be able to clearly articulate complex concepts, listen to feedback, and understand the practical trade-offs required for implementation.
• Provide Technical Leadership: Act as a thought leader within the organisation. You have the conviction to argue against a bad idea, even if it's popular, and the clarity to explain why.
• Focus on Delivery: While this is a strategic role, your work is directly tied to our product roadmap. You will guide the architectural evolution of existing products and the creation of new versions, ensuring our systems are secure, scalable, and built for the long term.

What You'll Bring

• Proven Web3 Architectural Experience: You have served as a Staff/Principal Engineer or Architect on a large-scale, production-level Web3 project (e.g., L1/L2 protocol, major DeFi application, cross-chain bridge, etc.). You have done this before.
• Deep Technical Acumen: An expert-level understanding of blockchain fundamentals, dApp architecture, smart contract limitations, consensus algorithms, and the broader decentralised ecosystem.
• A "First Principles" Thinker: You are energised by ambiguous, unsolved problems. You can break them down to their core and build solutions from the ground up.
• Strong Conviction, Loosely Held: You are comfortable forming strong opinions and defending them with rigorous logic. You can confidently say "no" and explain your reasoning. You also have the humility to adapt your views based on new data or constructive feedback.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: While you can be an introvert who needs time for deep work, you must be able to articulate your vision and requirements clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Pragmatic and Delivery-Oriented: You understand that the perfect solution is useless if it can't be built and shipped. You balance visionary thinking with a practical mindset focused on delivering value to users.

Qualities for Success

• 10+ years in Software Engineering leadership, with at least 4 years in Web3 
• M.Sc or Ph.D in Computer Science, Information Security or another related technical field 
• Broad technical fluency and understanding of distributed/decentralised systems and high-load architectures
• Strong technical and business minded thinking, with the ability to see and connect the full technical picture
• Experience of setting direction for  small teams.
• Experience working with distributed teams and agile development methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills from Junior to C-suite levels
• Don't meet every single requirement on our list? Please don't hesitate to apply. We're interested in your unique skills and potential.
• Nice to Haves
• Experience designing or contributing to L1 or L2 blockchain protocols.
• Deep knowledge of cryptography and security best practices.
• Contributions to open-source projects in the Web3 space.
• Experience with tokenomics and protocol incentive design.

Join us in building Europe's next cloud champion. We are committed to success and driven by a shared vision to build a decentralized future.

We believe the best ideas are forged in person. That's why we value regular, in-person collaboration and open communication at our Hamburg headquarters. If you're an innovative thinker with a passion for success in decentralized technology and the cloud industry, we want you on our team.

At our core, we're a workplace that values your well-being, fosters a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere, and empowers you to shape the future of the cloud.

We encourage you to kickstart your application by submitting your comprehensive LinkedIn profile or CV along with the designated application form.

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in a Kickoff call, where we aim to explore your qualifications, experiences, and expectations.

Our commitment is to complete the hiring process in 2 to 4 additional remote and/or on-site steps, according to the specific role and its seniority level.

We believe in moving swiftly to welcome exceptional talent into our dynamic workplace.