Node Operations Engineer Job Description Template

The node operations engineer keeps blockchain nodes and validators running correctly, which is a continuous operational responsibility rather than a project with an end date. Validators in particular carry direct financial consequence, since both downtime and double signing are penalised on chain and the penalty comes out of staked capital automatically. The role demands careful change management, real attention to redundancy and a willingness to be woken up, because a validator that stops signing does not wait for office hours.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor nodes and validators across networks
• Maintain uptime and avoid slashing conditions
• Execute client upgrades safely and on schedule
• Manage validator keys and signing infrastructure securely
• Build and maintain monitoring, alerting and on call procedures
• Automate routine operational tasks and recovery procedures
• Manage snapshots, backups and fast recovery paths
• Track network governance and upgrade announcements
• Investigate missed blocks, peering issues and performance problems
• Document runbooks and keep them accurate

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, or equivalent experience

Required Skills and Experience

• 2+ years operating blockchain nodes or validators in production
• Strong Linux administration and networking
• Understanding of slashing conditions and how to avoid them
• Experience with secure key management and remote signing
• Solid monitoring, alerting and on call practice
• Automation skills in Bash, Python or Go
• Careful change management under real financial consequence
• Availability for on call rotation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience across several proof of stake networks
• Familiarity with hardware security modules