--- title: 'Applications Engineer at Key to Web3' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/applications-engineer-key-to-web3-texas-dmq0y0t0rb2n' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Applications Engineer at Key to Web3 - **Company:** Key to Web3 - **Location:** Texas - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2025-06-20 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://jobs.gem.com/key-to-web3/am9icG9zdDpHkTB6aom45I09HfkXlqN5 ## Job description Applications Engineer We are hiring an Applications Engineer to help develop and optimize high-performance web and backend systems across compute infrastructure. Key Responsibilities: - Build and maintain web applications using TypeScript, React, and modern frameworks. - Develop and maintain APIs using Fastify, tRPC, GraphQL, gRPC, and REST. - Participate in architecture discussions and propose scalable, secure solutions. - Write modular, testable code focused on long-term maintainability. - Create and run test plans to ensure software quality. - Monitor system performance and address bottlenecks. - Document architecture, APIs, and internal processes. - Contribute to feature development and iterative product improvements. - Work cross-functionally with design, product, and engineering teams. - Participate in Agile workflows (sprint planning, standups, retrospectives). Key Requirements: - Proficiency in TypeScript, NextJS, Fastify, tRPC, Drizzle, REST, and PostgreSQL. - Experience building backend microservices with NodeJS. - Solid understanding of API architecture and server-side development. - Strong database skills with query optimization and performance tuning. - 4+ years of experience in software engineering. - Experience delivering production-scale systems. - Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field—or equivalent experience. - Familiarity with Agile development practices. - Experience working in early-stage or scaling environments. - Interest in building user-friendly and accessible interfaces. - Ability to write clean, maintainable code and follow engineering best practices. - Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams. - Proactive in identifying technical and process improvements. ## About Key to Web3 ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Key to Web3 is an elite global recruitment and consulting agency specializing in placing talent across Web3, crypto, blockchain, gaming, fintech, AI, aerospace, maritime, and other emerging technologies. - **Entity Type**: Private (Partnership; bootstrapped) - **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, United States - **Founded**: 2023 - **Founders**: Sarah Otsuki ## Core Business - **Industries**: Staffing and Recruiting (specialized in emerging technology sectors) - **Target Customers**: B2B – companies of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500s, seeking specialized talent in blockchain, crypto, Web3, AI, gaming, fintech, compliance, aerospace, and maritime. - **Mission**: To connect top talent with cutting-edge opportunities and proactively shape the job market in emerging technology sectors. ## Products & Services - **Global Recruitment Services**: End-to-end talent placement for roles such as software engineers, smart contract developers, growth marketers, technical writers, and business development managers. Focus on hard-to-fill positions in Web3, crypto, AI, and related fields. - **Consulting & Advisory**: Strategic guidance for companies scaling teams in emerging tech, leveraging the founder’s decade of experience and extensive global network. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private, small agency) - **Key Metric**: Total headcount of 3 employees (as of mid‑2026); 9,318 LinkedIn followers. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors; operates as a partnership. Works with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. - **Growth Signals**: Despite a 28.6% monthly headcount decline (likely normal fluctuation in a micro‑agency), the company maintains active hiring for 29+ open remote roles (as of June 2026), indicating ongoing client demand. The founder has a strong personal brand and the company regularly attends industry events (e.g., Permissionless IV by Blockworks). ## Competitive Advantages - **Deep Niche Specialization**: Focus exclusively on emerging technology verticals (Web3, crypto, blockchain, AI, gaming, fintech) where traditional recruiters lack domain expertise. - **Founder‑Led Expertise**: Sarah Otsuki brings over a decade of experience and a global network, enabling the agency to source rare talent and build high‑performing teams. - **Flexible, Remote‑First Model**: Operates with a lean, distributed team (US and Czechia) and offers fully remote roles to clients, aligning with the remote‑native nature of many Web3 companies. ## Strategic Focus - **Current Priorities**: Expanding recruitment services into adjacent emerging tech sectors (aerospace, maritime, AI) while deepening its core Web3 and crypto talent pipeline. Actively building brand presence through industry events and LinkedIn engagement. - **Direction for Growth**: Scaling the agency’s capacity to handle larger client engagements, likely by adding more recruiters and consultants while maintaining a boutique, high‑touch service model. ## Why Work Here - **Culture Highlights**: A startup‑style, lean team environment where every member has significant ownership. Emphasis on innovation, technology, and shaping the future of work in emerging industries. - **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Fully remote‑friendly; the team is distributed across the US and Czechia, and the company actively hires for remote roles globally. - **Notable Perks**: Opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting‑edge technologies, direct mentorship from a founder with deep industry connections, and exposure to high‑growth startups and Fortune 500 clients. - **Engineering Culture**: Recruiters and consultants work closely with technical talent; the agency itself is small and agile, offering a chance to wear multiple hats and directly impact client outcomes. ## Sources 1. [LinkedIn – Key to Web3](https://www.linkedin.com/company/keytoweb3) 2. [Key to Web3 – Founder Page](https://keytoweb3.io/founder) 3. [TapTalent – Key to Web3 Agency Profile](https://taptalent.ai/recruitment-agencies/key-to-web3-recruitment-agency-profile/) 4. 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