Software Engineering

Blockchain & Web3 Development

Understand and build decentralized applications — smart contracts, security, and real use cases.

Duration
12 weeks
Format
Online Live
Level
Intermediate
Credential
Professional Certificate
Apply NowView Curriculum

Program overview

A clear-eyed engineering program on blockchain technology: how distributed ledgers work, writing and securing smart contracts in Solidity, and building decentralized applications. We focus on durable engineering skills and legitimate use cases, with a strong emphasis on security — where most real-world value and risk concentrates.

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain blockchain consensus, cryptography, and trade-offs precisely
  • Write, test, and deploy smart contracts in Solidity
  • Audit contracts for common vulnerability classes
  • Build full dApps with modern web3 tooling
  • Evaluate blockchain use cases with engineering judgment

Tools & technologies

  • Solidity
  • Hardhat
  • Foundry
  • ethers.js
  • MetaMask
  • OpenZeppelin
  • React

Curriculum

4 modules · 12 weeks · every module ends with reviewed applied work.

How Blockchains Work
  • Cryptographic foundations
  • Consensus mechanisms
  • Ethereum architecture
  • When (not) to use a blockchain
Smart Contract Development
  • Solidity in depth
  • Testing with Hardhat and Foundry
  • Token standards: ERC-20, ERC-721
  • Upgradeability patterns
Security Engineering
  • Common vulnerability classes
  • Auditing methodology
  • Famous exploits, dissected
  • Secure development lifecycle
Full dApp Capstone
  • Frontend integration with ethers.js
  • Wallets and UX
  • Capstone build and security review

Projects & capstone

You graduate with evidence, not just knowledge. Key projects include:

ERC-20 token with full test suite

Security audit report on a vulnerable contract

Capstone: a complete dApp deployed to testnet

Who this program is for

  • Developers exploring web3 engineering
  • Security-minded engineers
  • Technical founders in decentralized products

Eligibility

Working knowledge of JavaScript and general programming concepts. Prior blockchain exposure not required.

Your instructors

Tomas Lindgren

Principal Instructor, Software Engineering

Tomas has shipped production software for two decades across startups and large engineering organizations, and has mentored dozens of developers from first commit to senior roles. His code reviews are famously thorough — and famously kind.

Marcus Bell

Lead Instructor, Cybersecurity

Marcus spent 15 years in security operations and incident response, from SOC analyst to leading enterprise IR engagements. He builds Pioneer Academy’s attack-and-defense labs and believes security is best learned under realistic pressure.

Meet the full faculty

Career opportunities

Roles this program prepares you to pursue:

  • Blockchain Developer
  • Smart Contract Engineer
  • Web3 Full-Stack Developer
  • Smart Contract Auditor (junior)
Career-track programs include portfolio review, mock interviews, and individual job-search coaching.Learn about career support →

Earn a verifiable certificate

Complete all required project work to earn the Pioneer Academy Blockchain & Web3 Development certificate — digitally issued with a unique verification link for your CV and LinkedIn.

Program FAQs

Is this program about cryptocurrency investing?

No. This is an engineering program about the technology. We do not provide investment advice or promote speculation.

Take the next step

Start your Engineering journey

The next Blockchain & Web3 Development cohort is enrolling now. Applications take under ten minutes, and seats are confirmed in order of application.