Blockchain developer
Blockchain developers design, install, and look after systems that use blockchain technology.
About the job
What it's like
Would you like a career where you can use coding skills and work with technology every day? Imagine helping people and businesses to function faster, better and safer in their industry.
In this role, you'd be a specialist software developer working with blockchain technology. You'd design, install and look after systems that use this.
Blockchain technology might sound like a confusing term but it's a fairly simple idea. It's a digital database of information shared across a network. Entering new information creates a record, known as a 'block'. These blocks are all linked together to form a 'chain'. You cannot change or delete a block when it has been set.
The financial technology industry, also known as fintech, uses blockchain for many things. This includes sending money, storing financial information and allowing cryptocurrencies to work well. More businesses are using this technology too, it has applications in many walks of life. A career as a blockchain developer would allow you to work in a variety of industries.
You might have different responsibilities and priorities depending on where you work.
Your tasks might include:
writing, testing and reviewing code
creating applications, features and user interfaces
making sure systems are secure to protect information
developing and maintaining blockchain infrastructure
integrating the blockchain system with other technologies
making sure the system is scalable and can handle a large volume of transactions
fixing or advising on technical issues that happen
guiding or training others on blockchain technology
working with other teams to integrate blockchain technology throughout an organisation
creating and deploying smart contracts
Hours
You'd likely work 35 to 40 hours a week. In many jobs this will be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. In some roles, your working hours will be more flexible to suit your needs. You might have to work longer or different hours at times to suit the needs of a project. For example, if an application is being deployed outside of your working hours you might need to be working to check for any issues.
Environment
You'll work based at a computer and can do this from a shared office, at home or through a mixture of both.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- written communication
- working with technology
- researching
- problem solving
- innovative
- ethical
- cooperating
- analysing
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Computing Science
Maths (Mathematics)
Foundation Apprenticeship: Software Development
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Many employers will ask for a degree in a relevant subject to apply for this job. You can go to university to get this or get helpful qualifications at college or through an apprenticeship.
Other employers will accept applications from people who have several years’ experience. You'd need to be able to show that you've gathered the skills needed.
The headings shown explain more about each of the different routes you could take.
Apprenticeship
You can start learning digital skills you'll need in this career through a Foundation Apprenticeship. While you're in S5 or S6, you'll gain work experience while you study.
Have a look at this Software Development apprenticeship on apprenticeships.scot. It could set you up for further study or to get into a job where you can build your skills further.
If you’re 16 or older, a Modern Apprenticeship will let you work and earn while you study for a qualification. After you qualify, you'd be able to study further or move into a role where you can build experience.
You might find these opportunities on Apprenticeships.scot helpful:
You could also earn a degree through a Graduate Apprenticeship. Read about this one in IT: Software Development on Apprenticeship.scot.
This can be a great path to take into a software career. You'll develop a wide variety of skills and knowledge and get to apply them in a work environment.
This experience will help you keep your finger on the pulse of the changing demands of the industry. Your classroom learning will not be out of date by the time you go into a job because you'll already be aware of how technology is changing in workplaces.
College
Although formal qualifications are not always necessary, you'll need a lot of skills and knowledge. A good way to gain this is through studying at college or university.
You could start by going to college and getting a:
National Qualification (NQ)
National Certificate (NC)
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Higher National Diploma (HND)
You could study in areas such as:
software development
software engineering
computing science
computing
cyber security
To study for an HNC or HND, you'd likely need both:
1 or 2 Highers at C or above in relevant subjects
2 to 4 National 5s at C or above
Search for relevant college courses.
University
A degree can be useful for getting into this profession as you need to build a wide range of knowledge.
You could study in areas such as:
software development
software engineering
computing science
computing
Use our course search to find an undergraduate course.
To study for a degree in these areas, you’d likely need:
an HNC or HND
4 Highers at BBBC, including Maths or Computing plus National 5 English at C or above
For some software engineering courses, there might be a higher entry standard.
If you earn a degree, you could continue to broaden your knowledge through further study.
Have a look at relevant postgraduate courses.
Work
You can work towards becoming a blockchain developer. You'd need to build a lot of experience before moving into the job. You can do this by working in different digital technology roles.
Check out the 'you will also need' section for more information about the skills and knowledge you'll need to gather.
It's helpful to have a degree or other relevant qualification, but not essential. You could build skills and get experience by volunteering. Search technology volunteering opportunities on Volunteer.scot.
You need a strong skill set and a wide range of knowledge to do this job. You'll need significant experience in some of these areas:
blockchain technology and architecture
software development
web development
scripting languages such as JavaScript, C++, PHP and Go
cryptography and security practices
using distributed systems and peer-to-peer networking
smart contracts
algorithms and data structure
agile working
This role can vary depending on what individual employers are looking for. There may be more areas you'd need experience in.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Blockchain developer'
