Q&A: Blockchain software engineering careers in Australia

As a professional talent agency, we’re all about supporting our talent with their career aspirations. Many of our talent are, or aspire to be, in the technology sector, and a good number of these have an underlying curiosity in the world of blockchain development/engineering. Since Bitcoin was established in 2009, blockchain technology has grown at a rapid rate. Today, apart from the thousands of independent crypto currencies that have been created, more than 80 central banks have jumped onto the bandwagon, with China’s digital RMB the first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to be issued within a major economy. Interestingly, some of this growth has been outside the fintech sector and the rise of cryptocurrencies. Australian software engineers (with blockchain engineer skillsets) are beginning to deal with new clients in new sectors. However, the demand for blockchain engineers is continuing to rise within a market categorised by short supply. This is good news for our talent who are interested in upskilling and learning the art of blockchain engineering.  

So, what’s the recommended next step to explore blockchain careers? We met with Rick Ross (Director Blockchain, Digital & Emerging Technology Lead at EY) for a Q&A session to understand the blockchain engineering career landscape further:

Q: How did you end up in the technology game?

A: “After completing my BS in Computer Science I entered a Graduate Developers Program with St George Bank. I was then offered a full-time position with them programming e-commerce solutions for Financial Advisers. I was able to apply the theory I learnt at Uni into practice. This was a steady intro into software development/engineering which allowed me to build on some solid experience”.

Q: Tell us about your current role? What does it entail?

A: “I’m the Director Blockchain, Digital & Emerging Technology Lead for EY in Perth (Western Australia). The Global Blockchain function was established within EY in the US around 2015 and regional presence expanded to Europe and Asia Pacific . I spend most of my time working on customer engagements and building our blockchain consultancy brand. With my background in business and a passion for technology, I like to bridge the complexity gap of for my customers. I like to help them unpack their problems and innovative opportunities instead of offering solutions straight-up, which includes enterprise and solutions architecture”.  I have matured this expertise in consulting engagements and further post graduate academic studies.

Q: What is your opinion on blockchain?

A: “I was sceptical to start during the early years until around 2013 and in 2015 I jumped in to experiment mining and blockchain software engineering. Furthermore assisting ‘start-ups’ in growing their business and capabilities in new technologies including blockchain. I’ve seen firsthand what blockchain can do. The benefits are endless. I’ve now developed a passion for blockchain. I still code in my spare time (playing in the metaverse, building smart contracts with Solana and Ethereum). This is how I keep in touch”.

Q: What Australian industries do you think might be impacted by blockchain?

A: “I can’t comment definitively for Australia, as blockchain itself is borderless. It’s a universal form of system thinking which includes the sharing of data where participants can interact with a trustful outcome. We predict the cryptocurrencies and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) will reach 75% market saturation by 2025. Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and stable coins should enter a mainstream adoption phase for private enterprise and banking sector by 2024. Blockchain has already impacted industries outside of the finance sector. Clients across multiple sectors are interested in how blockchain can improve their supply operation efficiencies. For example, imagine if you (as the end consumer) were able to track a product from a farm to the retail store to ‘ensure’ the product you’re buying is local, ethical, and meets your nutritional expectations. In addition, some organisations are upgrading their Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) strategies with the requirement to track energy sources that are green and clean. I’m also aware of insurance companies who are exploring claims management efficiencies and enterprises who are keen to streamline their complex payment processing systems. The list goes on.”

Q: If I wanted to get involved in blockchain and learn more about it, what would you recommend?

A: “This would depend on where you are on the blockchain learning scale. If you’ve just started learning, explore and research further and make sure you like it. Be curious. If it is something you like, then do a deep dive and learn more. Review specific user cases. Consider further learning. RMIT university offer good blockchain courses (https://bit.ly/3KaTpNm). MIT in USA deliver blockchain courses (https://bit.ly/3EQ2vxK). The Blockchain Training Alliance (in USA) offer courses in blockchain foundations, project management, architecture, Ethereum software engineering, security, etc (https://blockchaintrainingalliance.com). I would also associate yourself with (and follow) ‘Blockchain Australia’ (https://blockchainaustralia.org/).

Q: If someone wanted to redirect their career into blockchain software engineering in Australia, what advice would your share?

A: “If they’re keen to give it a go because they don’t like their current job this is probably not a good reason to pursue this career. I would recommend they network with people who have experience in blockchain first. Even for a software developer, blockchain is a massive mindset shift. Most things a software developer works on is centralised. ‘Cloud computing’ is centralised. Blockchain is decentralised. Its far away from the conventional software developer perspective. You must trust the programability in terms of protocol”

Q: In your opinion do you foresee the demand for blockchain software engineers in Australia increasing? Is it a sustainable career path?

A: “Yes, the demand for blockchain engineers will increase. Look back at cloud computing and reflect on the exceptional growth since it began in 2006. Blockchain is likely to experience the same growth. Read about Ethereum which has had a user growth rate of 90% per annum for many years. Ethereum is the most widely accepted blockchain platform by blockchain engineers”.

Q: What other existing or new occupations do you think will increase or will be introduced due to the growth of blockchain technology?

A: “Blockchain Architects will play a significant role assisting organisations with hybrid systems (integration of blockchain with existing systems). The demand for Security/Cryptographic Specialists will also increase”.     

Q: If you had a time-machine what would you have done differently in your career?

A: “I wouldn’t have changed anything. I’ve learnt a lot while I’ve been going along. I am who I am, and I hope all my hard work will pay off. I love going to work every day. I get to work with emerging tech and blockchain which is what I’m passionate about. I also like working in a global organisation, which means you get to work with knowledgeable professionals all over the world”.             

We’d like to thank Rick for sharing his career story and blockchain wisdom. If anyone is potentially interested in understanding EY’s blockchain consultancy capabilities, please let us know and we’ll connect you with Rick. If you’re an experienced Blockchain Engineer or you’re keen to play with blockchain we would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Feel free to respond or contact me on benarmstrong@greenlitgroup.com.