About the opportunity
The European Central Bank (ECB) is seeking an Offline Payments Technical Expert (formal title: Market Infrastructure Project Management Expert) to join the Directorate Digital Euro. The successful candidate will be part of an eight-member Offline Team responsible for refining offline digital euro use cases and aligning them with policy, risk, privacy, and inclusion objectives, while coordinating with original equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders to feed lessons learned into the Rulebook and app design.
Salary and benefits
- Full-time monthly net salary: €5,876 (F/G bracket 1 – step 1).
- Additional benefits as detailed on the ECB's 'What we offer' page.
- Professional development opportunities, including training, mentoring, and support for horizontal mobility.
- Possibility of a part-time arrangement.
Who can apply?
- EU nationals.
- Master's degree or equivalent in a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or another relevant field.
- Minimum of four years' professional experience in applied cryptography or a security-related domain.
- At least two of those years specializing in secure elements/smart cards.
- Experience in developing an offline or partially offline payment solution.
- Technical knowledge of standards applicable to payments, payment schemes, or solutions in the bank-to-consumer domain.
- Experience in launching a product on the market.
- Advanced (C1) command of English.
- Intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU.
- Proven analytical skills and experience in drafting concise reports and presenting complex topics to diverse audiences.
Required documents
- Not specified
When to apply
- Closing date: 15.09.2026
How to apply
- Refer to the ECB's official 'How to apply' page for detailed application instructions.
- The recruitment process is conducted remotely and includes a written exercise, a presentation, a technical interview, and a panel interview.
- Candidates not selected for the specific position but deemed suitable may be placed on a reserve list for similar future roles.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- EU nationals with a Master's degree in a STEM field
- Professionals with at least four years of experience in applied cryptography or security
- Experts with specific experience in secure elements, smart cards, or offline payment solutions
What should you think carefully about?
- The role is based on-site in Frankfurt am Main, requiring relocation if you are not already local
- The recruitment process is rigorous, involving a written exercise, presentation, and multiple interviews
- Candidates must possess an advanced command of English and intermediate proficiency in another official EU language
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position offers a high-impact opportunity to shape the future of digital currency within a major institution. It is an excellent fit for a technical expert looking to transition into policy-aligned infrastructure development while working on a project of significant European scale.
Our take
Experienced cryptography and payment security professionals should apply. Those without specific experience in offline payment solutions or secure hardware may find this role less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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