How to become a Web3 engineer in 2024

Web3, a field on the uptrend in 2024, is increasingly providing plenty of career opportunities to job aspirants. The emergence of blockchain-based platforms like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana has prompted interest in the potential of decentralized technologies. 

Though the technology is still in its early stages, it has positively influenced several industries, such as supply chains, gaming and banking. The acceptance of the technology is steadily growing, creating more opportunities for aspiring engineers.

Smart contracts are a groundbreaking idea that has the capacity to completely rethink administration and corporate frameworks. Ideas like decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and GameFi are revolutionary and are simply transforming the way things are done. 

Here are some suggestions for aspiring engineers on how they can make a career in Web3.

Who is a Web3 engineer?

The term Web3 developer is used for a programmer who understands decentralized technology, distributed storage, and smart contracts. They are skilled in programming languages such as Solidity (used on the Ethereum blockchain) and Rust (used on the Polkadot blockchain), along with popular computer languages such as Java and JavaScript. They are able to connect online interfaces with blockchain networks to facilitate the use of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and DeFi.

Web3 engineering roles can be categorized into four major categories:

Core Web3 specialists

These create and maintain blockchain system architectures that include protocol design, network management and security frameworks. The role requires one to be adept at blockchain technology, smart contracts, data structures and cryptography.

Web3 application engineers

The job of Web3 application engineers is to create DeFi applications and NFT markets. They need to be experts in Solidity, JavaScript and back-end development.

Back-end specialists

Back-end experts are entrusted with Web3 development through API design, blockchain integration, collaborative software development and performance testing. For server-side development, they need to learn programming languages like Python, Java, Ruby and Node.js. They should also know how to use frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, Express.js and Spring Boot.

Smart contract engineers

Their task is to develop secure and efficient smart contracts. They must possess a deep understanding of smart contract principles and the Solidity language. 

Skills required to become a Web3 engineer

Aspiring Web3 engineers need to begin with fundamental web development languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Thereafter, they need to learn advanced topics such as React, Angular, Node.js, Python or Ruby on Rails. To get to the next level, they need to supplement with courses on version control (Git), databases and deployment (Amazon Web Services, Heroku).

A comprehensive grasp of decentralized infrastructure tools such as Whisper and Swarm, as well as active participation in hackathons and open-source collaboration, further enhances one’s capabilities in this evolving field.

Roadmap for becoming a Web3 engineer

An engineering aspirant needs to have a clear roadmap to achieve their goals:

Study the basics of blockchain technology

Acquire a thorough knowledge of blockchain technology’s guiding concepts, consensus procedures and data structures. Get familiarized with the different blockchain platforms and the apps that run on them.

Learn the fundamentals of Web3 development

Develop a solid understanding of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Get into the leading front-end frameworks such as Angular or React to learn how to build UIs for decentralized apps (DApps).

Become an expert in Solidity

Solidity is the most popular programming language for creating smart contracts on Ethereum. One can do so with tutorials, hands-on activities and case studies.

Study decentralized infrastructure

Learning decentralized infrastructure tools like Whisper and Swarm is also essential. Discover their role in decentralized messaging, content delivery and storage. 

Learn about various blockchain environments

Begin with Ethereum, but don’t stop there. Thereafter, learn about other blockchain systems such as Cardano, Solana or Polkadot. Go through their unique features and the programming languages used.

Participate in hackathons and open-source collaboration

Engage in active participation in hackathons and open-source projects to hone your abilities. These experiences will provide plenty of practical learning and sharpen your skills in Web3. 

Contribute to open-source projects

Participate in Web3 community open-source projects. This will not only broaden your skill set but also make it easier for you to work with more experienced developers, which will help you gain recognition in the market. 

Develop a robust portfolio

Create a comprehensive portfolio that showcases your Web3 projects, open-source contributions, certifications and noteworthy achievements. A strong portfolio effectively presents your experience to potential clients or employers as concrete proof of your skills and talents.

Commit to networking and ongoing learning

Join online groups, follow thought leaders in the field, and attend conferences to stay up-to-date on the newest developments and trends in the Web3 space. Networking with peers can create chances for professional development and collaboration.