Head of Securiy

Who We Are:

Ethena Labs is a pioneering company in the realm of DeFi, dedicated to developing cutting-edge financial products. Ethena is the creator of a synthetic dollar protocol on the Ethereum platform, providing a crypto-focused solution for money known as USDe, alongside a globally accessible dollar savings asset called sUSDe.

Our primary objective is to offer truly crypto-native financial solutions that are universally accessible, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and the digital asset economy. Transparency, efficiency, and empowerment of both individuals and institutions are at the core of our values.

What we are Doing:

Ethena Labs is actively progressing in the creation and deployment of a range of innovative products designed to tackle significant challenges and open up new opportunities within the digital finance sphere.

Our main product, USDe, is a synthetic dollar collateralized by digital assets and adopts a unique delta-neutral hedging strategy to maintain its peg – offering a scalable and censorship-resistant digital dollar.

In addition to USDe, we offer sUSDe, which generates crypto-native rewards from funding rates in derivatives markets, providing an alternative to traditional finance-tethered products.

Moreover, we are continuously developing solutions geared towards fostering institutional adoption of digital assets. Our partnership with Securitize and Blackrock's BUIDL fund gave rise to USDtb, which serves as a more conventional, asset-backed stablecoin, utilizing established financial infrastructure to cater to institutional clientele. Additionally, iUSDe is crafted specifically for traditional financial institutions, integrating necessary compliance features to enable access to the crypto-native rewards our protocol generates in an institutional-friendly manner.

Our most ambitious project to date is Converge, a joint blockchain initiative with Securitize. This hybrid blockchain platform operates as a nexus where DeFi aligns with the needs of CeFi and TradFi, providing an issuance layer for tokenized assets that seamlessly integrates with existing DeFi protocols to offer institutions a space to engage in the decentralized economy.

Through these offerings, Ethena Labs is not solely introducing new financial products but establishing the fundamental infrastructure for a more open, efficient, and interconnected global financial system.

The Role

As the Head of Security, your role will involve leading and owning the comprehensive security strategy for Ethena. You will be responsible for all security aspects, ensuring the safeguarding of assets, infrastructure, data, personnel, and facilities. This includes cybersecurity, blockchain security, physical security, and operational security.

This pivotal role offers the opportunity to instill a security-first culture in a dynamic, high-stakes environment where DeFi innovations intersect with real-world risks. You will collaborate closely with various teams, such as Product Engineering, DeFi Engineering, Security Engineering, DevOps, and non-engineering teams, to embed security across all operations, from smart contract development to physical site protection. By spearheading compliance, incident response, and proactive threat mitigation efforts, you will secure users' funds, maintain regulatory compliance, and position the company for scalable growth in the evolving crypto landscape.

What You'll Do

• Develop and implement a comprehensive security strategy covering cybersecurity, blockchain security, physical security, and operational security in alignment with industry standards and DeFi-specific risks.

• Oversee blockchain and smart contract security, including audits, formal verification, secure key management, and protections against exploits.

• Establish a robust cybersecurity framework encompassing threat detection systems, secure DevOps practices, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments.

• Manage physical security operations, including access controls, surveillance, executive protection programs, and site audits.

• Drive compliance and regulatory alignment, prepare for audits, and liaise with regulators.

• Establish incident response and crisis management plans, conduct simulations and drills for cyber, physical, or hybrid threats.

• Promote a security-first culture through training, workshops, and integration of security-by-design principles.

• Lead and scale the security team, overseeing Security Engineers and potential physical security specialists.

• Implement real-time monitoring, threat intelligence, and performance metrics for digital and physical assets.

• Manage security budgets, vendor relationships, and resources.

• Anticipate emerging threats in DeFi, adapting systems for new products, integrations, and expanded operations.

What We're Looking For

• Over 10 years of experience in security leadership roles with expertise in cybersecurity, physical security, and risk management.

• Demonstrated track record in developing and implementing security strategies, including blockchain/DeFi security and physical protections.

• Strong leadership skills, experience building high-performing teams, and oversight of engineers.

• Expertise in incident response, crisis management, threat intelligence, and compliance frameworks.

• Proficiency in secure software development, infrastructure security, and relevant tools.

• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

• Strategic thinking, adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a proactive approach to risk management.

• Experience in budget and vendor management for security operations.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field; advanced certifications are a plus.

• Familiarity with DeFi-specific risks and technologies highly desirable.

Why Ethena Labs?

• Join a forward-thinking company revolutionizing decentralized finance.

• Work with a collaborative and innovative team.

• Enjoy a flexible, remote-friendly work environment with growth opportunities.

• Share our mission of separating the dollar from the state.

We welcome your application and will be in touch after review. We look forward to potentially working together.