Infocomm TechnologyISCO 2512
Blockchain developer
A blockchain developer is a person who builds and deploys software that runs on blockchain technology.
Check yourself in a minute: blockchain developer
Rate 5 of the 42 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
develop blockchain innovative architectures
analyse decentralised applications
utilise computer-aided software engineering tools
identify blockchain innovation opportunities
debug software
About blockchain developer
Blockchain development rests on understanding how a distributed ledger works. The developer knows consensus protocols, the ways network participants agree on one record without a central arbiter, and knows the terminology of the field. The developer designs blockchain system processes: what goes into the ledger, what stays outside it, and how the data connects.
The developer writes and deploys smart contracts, remembering that code placed in a ledger stays there unchanged, so a mistake cannot be corrected quietly — it can only be worked around with a new version. The developer also builds decentralised application frameworks, joining a contract in the ledger to the interface a user actually sees.
The developer interprets technical requirements and identifies the opportunities where a blockchain genuinely adds something: an immutable record, the absence of a single trusted party, settlement between parties who do not trust each other. The developer works from specifications and designs, using blockchain programming languages, tools and platforms.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a blockchain developer.
1
Smart Contract Development
- Write, test, and deploy smart contracts using languages such as Solidity, Vyper, or Rust on blockchain platforms
- Implement business logic that automates complex processes and ensures contract execution according to predefined conditions
- Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify vulnerabilities and ensure smart contracts are resistant to attacks
- Optimize smart contracts for efficiency and minimize gas costs on networks with transaction fees
2
Decentralized Application (dApp) Development
- Build decentralized applications using blockchain platforms and decentralized application frameworks
- Integrate blockchain backend with user-facing frontend interfaces using web development technologies
- Implement wallet integration and user authentication systems to enable secure access to dApps
- Ensure dApps follow blockchain applications security principles and comply with regulatory requirements
3
Blockchain Architecture and System Design
- Design blockchain systems and distributed ledger architectures that meet specific business requirements and scalability needs
- Select appropriate blockchain platforms and consensus mechanisms based on performance, security, and cost considerations
- Implement cryptographic techniques including public-key cryptography, digital signatures, and hashing to ensure data security
- Design digital identity and access control mechanisms for blockchain networks and applications
4
Testing, Debugging, and Compliance
- Use ICT debugging tools and testing frameworks to identify and fix issues in blockchain code and applications
- Perform unit tests, integration tests, and stress tests to ensure blockchain systems operate reliably under various conditions
- Stay informed of blockchain-based services regulations and ensure applications comply with legal frameworks
- Apply game theory principles to evaluate incentive mechanisms and economic models in blockchain systems
5
Continuous Learning and Technology Advancement
- Stay current with blockchain technology developments, emerging platforms, and evolving design patterns
- Understand and apply blockchain history, terminology, and concepts to contribute effectively to discussions and design decisions
- Participate in blockchain developer communities, attend conferences, and contribute to open-source projects
Do You Have the Skills for This Role?
Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.
Must-Have Skills (Advanced)
Problem SolvingAdvanced
Digital FluencyAdvanced
Learning AgilityAdvanced
Supporting Skills
Creative ThinkingIntermediate
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (42)
computer programmingcomputer programmingThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms (e.g. object oriented programming, functional programming) a...decentralized application frameworksdecentralized application frameworksThe different software frameworks, and their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, that allow the development of decentralized applications on blockchain infrastructure. Examples are truffle,...blockchain architectureblockchain architectureThe design structure of a peer-to-peer network of computers that functions as backend for systems and applications The network is constructed as a virtual machine without a central system that manages...digital identity managementdigital identity managementThe process of providing, managing, auditing and securing digital identities to facilitate and enable approved, authentic requests or connections to view company data, services, systems, networks, and...distributed ledger technologydistributed ledger technologyThe distributed ledger theories, applied principles, architectures and systems, such as decentralization, consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, trust, etc.blockchain opennessblockchain opennessThe different levels of openness of a blockchain, their differences, and their advantages and disadvantages. Examples are permissionless, permissioned, and hybrid blockchains.decentralised identifiersdecentralised identifiersThe knowledge of decentralised identifiers (DIDs). DIDs enable verifiable and decentralised digital identity related to different subjects determined by the controllers of these descentralised identif...software components librariessoftware components librariesThe software packages, modules, web services and resources that cover a set of related functions and the databases where these reusable components can be found.smart contract programming languagessmart contract programming languagesEssential Smart Contract programming languages include Solidity, Rust, JavaScript, Vyper and Yul.blockchain applicationsblockchain applicationsThe knowledge of applications where blockchains can provide significant added value. They include applications in Banking and Finance (International Payments, Capital Markets, Trade Finance, Regulator...ICT debugging toolsICT debugging toolsThe ICT tools used to test and debug programs and software code, such as GNU Debugger (GDB), Intel Debugger (IDB), Microsoft Visual Studio Debugger, Valgrind and WinDbg.smart contractsmart contractA software program in which the terms of a contract or transaction are directly coded. Smart contracts are executed automatically upon fulfilment of the terms and therefore require no third party to o...blockchain-based services regulationblockchain-based services regulationKey legal regulations around the blockchain, both existing and emerging ones. In Europe, regulations around the Digital Euro and Crypt-Assets, as well as the Pan-European blockchain regulatory sandbox...game theorygame theoryThe study of mathematical models of strategic decisions among stakeholders. It has applications in all fields of social science, as well as in systems science, computer science and logic. Essential co...blockchain terminologyblockchain terminologyThe terms used in blockchain sector which include account, attestation, block, Byzantine fault, coin, consensus, crypto-, decentralized application (DApp), DeFi, digital identity, distributed ledger, ...blockchain platformsblockchain platformsThe different integrated infrastructures, each with their own characteristics, that allow the development of blockchain applications. Examples are multichain, ehtereum, hyperledger, corda, ripple, ope...blockchain applications security principlesblockchain applications security principlesThe essential security principles, methods and controls for blockchain applications. Identity and access management, key management, data privacy, secure communication, smart contract security, and tr...blockchainblockchainA decentralised, public and distributed digital ledger that is employed to record transactions between many computers. It guarantees that the records cannot be modified retroactively without the conse...blockchain historyblockchain historyKey historical facts and milestones in the blockchain technology as well as the implementations and applications that emerged on top of it.blockchain design patternsblockchain design patternsRe-usable blockchain solution approaches including non-blocking user interface design, asynchronous API design, secure synchronization , time stamping, enterprise business integration, simple assets, ...distributed ledger technologies vulnerabilitiesdistributed ledger technologies vulnerabilitiesThe knowledge of the essential distributed ledger vulnerabilities including exchange hack, 51% attack, exitscam, extortion, DeFi, phishing, and drawing conclusions.blockchain-based business modelsblockchain-based business modelsThe study of diverse blockchain business models such as Blockchain-Based Software Products, Blockchain Development Platforms, Token Economy-Utility Token Business Model, P2P Blockchain Business Model,...distributed ledger technologies consensus protocolsdistributed ledger technologies consensus protocolsThe knowledge of essential blockchain consensus protocols including Proof-of-Work (PoW), Proof-of-Stake (PoS), Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS), Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (pBFT).blockchain consensus mechanismsblockchain consensus mechanismsThe different mechanisms and their characteristics that ensure a transaction is propagated correctly in the distributed ledger.blockchain mining principlesblockchain mining principlesEssential blockchain and cryptocurrency mining types and principles include ASIC mining, GPU mining, CPU mining, Cloud mining, and Mining pools.develop blockchain innovative architecturesdevelop blockchain innovative architecturesDevelop new blockchain architectures that address properties and priorities as they are needed by specific applications. Argue the advantages and shortcomings of such new architectures with respect to...analyse decentralised applicationsanalyse decentralised applicationsAnalyse decentralized applications for their specific performance requirements in terms of key functions and properties such as identify management, access control, data security, transparency, perfor...utilise computer-aided software engineering toolsutilise computer-aided software engineering toolsUse software tools (CASE) to support the development lifecycle, design and implementation of software and applications of high-quality that can be easily maintained.identify blockchain innovation opportunitiesidentify blockchain innovation opportunitiesIdentify blockchain innovation opportunities through the introduction of blockchain-based solutions, within a particular sector, but also across sectors. Understand the consequences of essential block...debug softwaredebug softwareRepair computer code by analysing testing results, locating the defects causing the software to output an incorrect or unexpected result and remove these faults.use software design patternsuse software design patternsUtilise reusable solutions, formalised best practices, to solve common ICT development tasks in software development and design.explain blockchain implicationsexplain blockchain implicationsExplain the consequences, impact, and implications of using blockchain technology on the business processes they drive, as well as on a larger scale, also including social and ecological aspects.recognise blockchain application areasrecognise blockchain application areasRecognise opportunities for the introduction of blockchain-based solutions in various application domains (e.g., supply chains, product-service systems, finances, etc.), as well as their transformativ...evaluate blockchain architecturesevaluate blockchain architecturesEvaluate blockchain architectures with respect to their suitability for specific applications, given the specific importance and priorities of architecture properties for these applications.implement smart contractsimplement smart contractsImplement smart contracts for various applications, and in the most important smart contract frameworks such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and in the most suitable programming languages such as Solidity, R...use software librariesuse software librariesUtilise collections of codes and software packages which capture frequently used routines to help programmers simplify their work.outline blockchain-based identity managementoutline blockchain-based identity managementOutline blockchain-based identity management and access control in terms of how they work, what their benefits are compared to current solutions, and how they can be applied for specific applications.interpret technical requirementsinterpret technical requirementsAnalyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.explain distributed ledger technologies principlesexplain distributed ledger technologies principlesExplain the principles of the system architecture underlying distributed ledger technologies (DLT), in particular blockchain. Understand the DLT system architecture in terms of functional components i...recognise blockchain risksrecognise blockchain risksRecognise risks associated with blockchain and cryptocurrency. Apart from standard risks associated with the business processes they are driving, blockchains bear value-transfer risks linked to the pe...blockchain componentsblockchain componentsThe study of essential blockchain components and concepts such as peer networks, smart contracts, memberships, events, ledgers, system integration, wallets, and system management.design process for blockchain-based systemsdesign process for blockchain-based systemsDesign processes for blockchain-based systems which involves the clear identification of problems to be solved through blockchain, specifying the business requirements, identifying a consensus mechani...
Optional (17) — show
Java (computer programming)Java (computer programming)The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Java.AngularAngularThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Angular.cryptocurrencycryptocurrencyDigital and encrypted currency or medium of exchange with decentralized network grounded on blockchain technology, since the value of the cryptocurrency is not managed or maintained by central authori...JavaScriptJavaScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.SoliditySolidityThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Solidity.service-oriented modellingservice-oriented modellingThe principles and fundamentals of service-oriented modelling for business and software systems that allow the design and specification of service-oriented business systems within a variety of archite...TypeScriptTypeScriptThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in TypeScript.data analyticsdata analyticsThe science of analysing and making decisions based on raw data collected from various sources. Includes knowledge of techniques using algorithms that derive insights or trends from that data to suppo...C++C++The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.cloud technologiescloud technologiesThe technologies which enable access to hardware, software, data and services through remote servers and software networks irrespective of their location and architecture.ICT encryptionICT encryptionThe conversion of electronic data into a format which is readable only by authorized parties which use key encryption techniques, such as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Secure Socket Layer (SSL).ScalaScalaThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scala.use markup languagesuse markup languagesUtilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text, to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.implement front-end website designimplement front-end website designDevelop website layout and enhance user experience based on provided design concepts.adapt to changes in technological development plansadapt to changes in technological development plansModify the current design and development activities of technological projects to meet changes in requests or strategies. Ensure that the organisation's or client's needs are met and that any sudden r...design user interfacedesign user interfaceCreate software or device components which enable interaction between humans and systems or machines, using appropriate techniques, languages and tools so as to streamline interaction while using the ...VyperVyperThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Vyper.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a blockchain developer do?
Blockchain developers implement or program blockchain-based software systems based on specifications and designs by using programming languages, tools, and blockchain platforms.
What skills does a blockchain developer need?
A blockchain developer needs 42 essential skills, including computer programming, decentralized application frameworks, blockchain architecture, digital identity management, distributed ledger technology.
Will AI replace blockchain developer jobs?
The AI disruption score for blockchain developer is 81/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: blockchain terminology, blockchain consensus mechanisms, ICT debugging tools. Most resilient: distributed ledger technologies consensus protocols, blockchain history, decentralized application frameworks.
AI Replacement Risk
81/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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SectorInfocomm Technology
ISCO GroupInformation and communications technology professionals
Essential Skills42
Core Skills4
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