US Military Contractor BAE Systems Wants to Hire 'Cryptocurrency Exploiters'

One of the world's largest defense contractors is seeking "cryptocurrency exploiters" to support a client based in Washington, D.C.

As advertised on LinkedIn, BAE Systems, McLean, Va., is searching for candidates who can "demonstrate proficiency in cryptocurrency" and can move to the Washington metropolitan area to "support a client’s operational requirements."

Successful candidates must either be a certified bitcoin professional or expert (CBP/X) – industry-standard certifications – or have a "substantive understanding" of cryptocurrencies. That will include expertise in elliptic curve algorithms and zero-knowledge proofs, as well as "hands-on experience analyzing Smart Contract vulnerabilities," the advertisement reads.

Candidates will also need to understand how cryptocurrencies operate at a source code level, according to the ad, as well as "understand privacy coins, wallet types, full and light nodes, virtual currency payment processors, secure payment protocols and other issues related to the currency."

BAE Systems Inc. is one of the largest contractors for the U.S. Department of Defense, supplying it with military hardware as well as advanced electronics and technology solutions.

BAE's ad does not disclose the client's identity but does say the role requires candidates to have security clearance from Polygraph, a lie detector test usually reserved for positions that handle sensitive information.

Candidates will be expected to interact with personnel at "all levels" within the client organization and will require experience in "supporting operations or familiarity with the Intelligence Community." They will also need to have at least six years of relevant work experience.

U.S. regulators have been increasing their interest in analyzing cryptocurrencies. For instance, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis earned more than $10 million in 2019 from 10 federal government contracts, according to public documents.

According to the LinkedIn ad, the job was posted five months ago and those interested are urged to "Be among the first 25 applicants."