Innovation Specialist

Blockstream was founded in 2014 by Dr. Adam Back and a group of fellow cryptographers and engineers passionate about Bitcoin and its potential to change the future of finance. We have become a market leader in Bitcoin security and Layer-2 technologies. Our products are designed to make financial systems more efficient, secure, and robust.

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