Chief Architect - eQSuite

About eQualitie:

eQualitie is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing freedom of expression, greater privacy, and secure communications through the development of open-source technologies. Our suite of products, including Deflect, Ceno, Ouisync, eQsat, and dComms, empower users worldwide to collaborate and communicate in challenging network environments. We are driven by a passion for open, decentralized, and democratic internet infrastructure.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Chief Architect to drive the technical strategy and architectural vision for eQualitie’s suite of tools: Ceno, Ouisync, eQsat, and dComms. This role involves defining the technical direction, ensuring the scalability and security of our tools, and aligning the overall architecture with our mission of supporting open communication in restrictive digital environments. You will collaborate closely with development teams, technical stakeholders, and eQualitie’s leadership to guide the design and integration of secure, decentralized, and user-friendly technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership:

• Architectural Strategy: Define and communicate the architectural vision for four of eQualitie’s products - Ceno, Ouisync, eQsat, and dComms - focusing on scalability, security, and interoperability. Ensure that all products align with the overarching vision and mission.
• Technical Decision-Making: Provide guidance on key technical decisions, including the selection of frameworks, protocols (and potential protocols), and infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, security, and ease of use.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with developers, engineers, and project managers to ensure the successful implementation of architectural designs. Serve as a mentor and technical advisor, fostering knowledge-sharing and technical best practices within the team.

Secure and Scalable System Design:

• Decentralized Communication Expertise: Develop and implement architectural solutions for decentralized technologies, such as peer-to-peer networks, mesh networks, anonymous relay protocols, and traffic obfuscation. Leverage expertise in protocols like Bittorrent, IPFS, Tor, and secure tunneling methods (TCP/UDP).
• Embedded Security Practices: Ensure secure development practices are integrated throughout the lifecycle, from design through deployment, including threat modeling, vulnerability assessments, and secure coding standards.
• System Scalability: Architect solutions that enable our product suite to function effectively under low bandwidth, censorship-prone environments, and high-traffic conditions.

Product and User-Centered Architecture:

• Architectural Roadmapping: Develop a technical roadmap that prioritizes architectural advancements alongside short-term deliverables. Work towards a “suite” approach to improve user experience and streamline development across multiple tools.
• User-Centric Design Principles: Focus on designing architecture that meets the needs of users in challenging digital spaces, ensuring usability even in low-connectivity or high-censorship conditions.
• Integration with External Tools: Lead efforts to integrate eQualitie’s technologies with third-party communication tools (e.g., Shadowsocks), ensuring a seamless user experience and enhanced interoperability.

Key Qualifications:

• Proven Experience in Software Architecture: Extensive experience in designing and leading the architecture of complex software systems, particularly in the context of secure, decentralized, or peer-to-peer communication tools.
• Background in Software Development or Engineering: Strong technical background, with experience in coding, reviewing, and guiding software development processes.
• Experience with Open-Source Projects: Deep familiarity with open-source technologies and collaboration methodologies. Experience engaging with open-source communities is a plus.
• Server Infrastructure and DevOps: Experience with cloud services, containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines for efficient, scalable deployments.

Key Technologies (Optional, but Preferred):

• Languages and Frameworks: Proficiency with languages such as C, C++, Rust, Go, and Python, and experience with mobile SDKs (Android/iOS) is an asset.
• Security Protocols: Strong understanding of encryption, secure communications protocols, and practices for ensuring data integrity and privacy.