Welcome to Behind the Blocks, a series where we spotlight the journeys and insights of the talented individuals powering our mission to build the decentralized future. Each story gives a behind-the-scenes look at what brought our team members here, the exciting challenges they tackle every day, and why Chorus One is the ideal place for those looking to make an impact in the Web3 space.
Today, we’re speaking with Mikolaj, our foundational platform engineer who transitioned from working in massive data centers at Amazon, Ask.com and Meta to helping Chorus One build decentralized infrastructure. In this interview, Mikolaj shares his thoughts on the cutting-edge challenges of Web3, why Chorus One is unlike any other company, and how the engineering team is building the foundation for the future of decentralized finance.
Q: How long have you been with Chorus One, and what’s your role here? What does a typical day look like for you?
Mikolaj: I’ve been at Chorus One for about 4 years, and I’m based in Poland. My role focuses on platform engineering, where I help ensure the stability and scalability of our infrastructure. A typical day involves technical discussions, meeting with the team, conducting interviews, and working on improvements for our systems. I also shadow my colleagues to stay aligned on projects and explore new solutions to keep our operations running smoothly.
Q: You’ve had experience working in large tech environments like Amazon and Meta. What drew you to Web3, and specifically to Chorus One?
Mikolaj: After years at Amazon, Meta, and Ask.com—each contributing to my growth in unique ways—I was ready for a role that combined technical challenges with flexibility. My experience at Ask.com laid the groundwork for my leap to Meta, where I achieved some of my most significant growth, thanks to the supportive teams along the way. Ultimately, I wanted to be closer to my family and explore an industry with more innovation. I was looking for something that combined technical challenges with flexibility. The tech industry, while stable, didn’t excite me in the same way crypto did. When I discovered Chorus One, it felt like the right fit—a small, dynamic company working at the intersection of decentralized technology and finance. The flexibility of remote work was a big draw, but so was the opportunity to work with an ambitious team. Meeting Brian and other stakeholders solidified that decision for me.
Q: What’s been your biggest accomplishment since joining Chorus One?
Mikolaj: My proudest contribution has been transforming our operational processes. When I joined, there was too much reliance on individual team members, which posed a risk. I drew from my experience at Meta, where I learned that single points of failure can be dangerous, and worked to balance workloads and introduce more resilient processes. This shift made us much more robust and scalable. It’s been rewarding to see those changes strengthen the company, especially as we’ve grown.
Q: As Chorus One continues to grow, what do you look for when hiring new engineering talent?
Mikolaj: We’re always on the lookout for engineers who can build systems from scratch. We don’t just need people who can use existing tools; we need builders—engineers who understand the fundamentals of systems, networking, and how the internet works. It’s not just about knowing cloud services; it’s about knowing the core principles. For example, Auri, one of our engineers, is a perfect example of someone who asks the right questions and digs deeper. We also appreciate candidates who come from backgrounds where small mistakes can have big consequences, like finance. Those individuals understand the importance of reliability and accuracy.
Q: What makes Chorus One’s infrastructure unique?
Mikolaj: Simplicity and reliability are our guiding principles. The simpler a system is, the less likely it is to break. That’s why we prefer to develop custom tools to address our specific needs instead of relying on off-the-shelf solutions. Building from the ground up gives us more control and allows us to avoid the limitations of generic software. Given the high-stakes nature of decentralized technology, mistakes can be costly, so having a custom-built infrastructure is crucial.
Q: How does Chorus One foster continuous learning and growth for its engineers?
Mikolaj: The workload can be intense, and the demand for automation is high. But that’s what makes it exciting—there’s always something new to work on. Our engineers are exposed to a wide range of skills, from on-chain analytics to automation. The more we accomplish, the more we push ourselves to explore new challenges. The engineering team manages a large infrastructure with a small group of people, and automation plays a big role in that. Engineers here never get bored because there’s always a new challenge to tackle, and that keeps us hungry for more.
Q: Why should someone join Chorus One if they’re passionate about making an impact in blockchain?
Mikolaj: Chorus One is the ideal place for engineers who thrive on solving complex, high-stakes problems. You’re not just maintaining systems here; you’re building them from scratch, developing custom tools, and making decisions that shape the future of decentralized networks. The team is small but dynamic, and the company culture encourages innovation and growth. If you want to push boundaries and make a real difference, this is the place to be.
Chorus One is one of the largest institutional staking providers globally, operating infrastructure for over 60 Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, including Ethereum, Cosmos, Solana, Avalanche, Near, and others. Since 2018, we have been at the forefront of the PoS industry, offering easy-to-use, enterprise-grade staking solutions, conducting industry-leading research, and investing in innovative protocols through Chorus One Ventures. As an ISO 27001 certified provider, Chorus One also offers slashing and double-signing insurance to its institutional clients. For more information, visit chorus.one or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram.
