Remote opportunity at
ToptalCryptography Specialist for AI lab
Toptal is hiring a Cryptography Specialist for an AI evaluation company that creates expert-level benchmarks to test how effectively AI agents perform real professional tasks in…
Career Tools
About This Role
Toptal is hiring a Cryptography Specialist for an AI evaluation company that creates expert-level benchmarks to test how effectively AI agents perform real professional tasks in the terminal. In this remote position, the specialist will transform paid practical tasks from their professional background into comprehensive challenges designed for AI agents, complete with verified solutions and automated verification. This opportunity is suited for professionals with a strong background in applied cryptography…
Job Description
Toptal is hiring a Cryptography Specialist for an AI evaluation company that creates expert-level benchmarks to test how effectively AI agents perform real professional tasks in the terminal. In this remote position, the specialist will transform paid practical tasks from their professional background into comprehensive challenges designed for AI agents, complete with verified solutions and automated verification.
This opportunity is suited for professionals with a strong background in applied cryptography or cryptanalysis who want to contribute to the advancement of AI evaluation through task-based compensation.
Responsibilities
- Design expert-level Terminal-Bench cryptography tasks by converting real-world, paid professional work into end-to-end AI agent challenges
- Establish the task environment with necessary files, systems, data, and ciphertexts to ensure reproducibility in a Linux command-line setup
- Develop a working reference solution in Python or SageMath to demonstrate task solvability
- Construct automated tests and checks to objectively evaluate final outcomes and detect errors or partial solutions
- Adjust task difficulty so that an expert can solve it in approximately 60 to 75 minutes
- Package tasks using Git and Docker, provide clear documentation, and refine challenges based on reviewer feedback
Requirements
- Minimum of three years of practical experience in applied cryptography or cryptanalysis
- Recent work experience within the past three years with the ability to name specific tools, systems, data, and rules used
- Proficiency with low-level tools including Python and SageMath
- Comfortable working on the Linux command line
- Capability to demonstrate proof of findings and explain how mistakes are identified
- Technical familiarity with databases, APIs, CSV or JSON data, and files
- Availability to begin around November 2026
- Completion of a task-vetting process instead of a live interview
Qualifications
- Published research or write-ups concerning cryptanalysis
- Strong performance in CTF competitions, particularly within crypto categories
- Discovery of CVEs in cryptographic implementations
- Familiarity with Git, Docker, and writing automated tests
- Proficiency in C for low-level cryptographic tasks
Core Skills
Benefits
- Task-based compensation model where work is paid per completed task
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Is this position remote?
Yes, the posting specifies that the role is remote.
What is the compensation model for this job?
The role utilizes a task-based compensation model where payment is issued per task.
What is the expected start date?
The expected start date is around early November 2026.
What does the interview process involve?
Instead of a live interview, candidates must complete a vetting task.
Sample Interview Questions
AI-generated questions tailored to this specific role — a preview of the full practice set.