diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 57b5de8ce..59dfce953 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 [workspace]
 members = [
+	"eth2/attester",
 	"eth2/block_producer",
 	"eth2/genesis",
 	"eth2/naive_fork_choice",
diff --git a/eth2/attester/Cargo.toml b/eth2/attester/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..956ecf565
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[package]
+name = "attester"
+version = "0.1.0"
+authors = ["Paul Hauner <paul@paulhauner.com>"]
+edition = "2018"
+
+[dependencies]
+slot_clock = { path = "../../eth2/utils/slot_clock" }
+ssz = { path = "../../eth2/utils/ssz" }
+types = { path = "../../eth2/types" }
diff --git a/eth2/attester/src/lib.rs b/eth2/attester/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7e3f0eb6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+pub mod test_utils;
+mod traits;
+
+use slot_clock::SlotClock;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use types::{AttestationData, Signature};
+
+pub use self::traits::{
+    BeaconNode, BeaconNodeError, DutiesReader, DutiesReaderError, PublishOutcome, Signer,
+};
+
+const PHASE_0_CUSTODY_BIT: bool = false;
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum PollOutcome {
+    AttestationProduced(u64),
+    AttestationNotRequired(u64),
+    SlashableAttestationNotProduced(u64),
+    BeaconNodeUnableToProduceAttestation(u64),
+    ProducerDutiesUnknown(u64),
+    SlotAlreadyProcessed(u64),
+    SignerRejection(u64),
+    ValidatorIsUnknown(u64),
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Error {
+    SlotClockError,
+    SlotUnknowable,
+    EpochMapPoisoned,
+    SlotClockPoisoned,
+    EpochLengthIsZero,
+    BeaconNodeError(BeaconNodeError),
+}
+
+/// A polling state machine which performs block production duties, based upon some epoch duties
+/// (`EpochDutiesMap`) and a concept of time (`SlotClock`).
+///
+/// Ensures that messages are not slashable.
+///
+/// Relies upon an external service to keep the `EpochDutiesMap` updated.
+pub struct Attester<T: SlotClock, U: BeaconNode, V: DutiesReader, W: Signer> {
+    pub last_processed_slot: Option<u64>,
+    duties: Arc<V>,
+    slot_clock: Arc<T>,
+    beacon_node: Arc<U>,
+    signer: Arc<W>,
+}
+
+impl<T: SlotClock, U: BeaconNode, V: DutiesReader, W: Signer> Attester<T, U, V, W> {
+    /// Returns a new instance where `last_processed_slot == 0`.
+    pub fn new(duties: Arc<V>, slot_clock: Arc<T>, beacon_node: Arc<U>, signer: Arc<W>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            last_processed_slot: None,
+            duties,
+            slot_clock,
+            beacon_node,
+            signer,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<T: SlotClock, U: BeaconNode, V: DutiesReader, W: Signer> Attester<T, U, V, W> {
+    /// Poll the `BeaconNode` and produce an attestation if required.
+    pub fn poll(&mut self) -> Result<PollOutcome, Error> {
+        let slot = self
+            .slot_clock
+            .present_slot()
+            .map_err(|_| Error::SlotClockError)?
+            .ok_or(Error::SlotUnknowable)?;
+
+        if !self.is_processed_slot(slot) {
+            self.last_processed_slot = Some(slot);
+
+            let shard = match self.duties.attestation_shard(slot) {
+                Ok(Some(result)) => result,
+                Ok(None) => return Ok(PollOutcome::AttestationNotRequired(slot)),
+                Err(DutiesReaderError::UnknownEpoch) => {
+                    return Ok(PollOutcome::ProducerDutiesUnknown(slot));
+                }
+                Err(DutiesReaderError::UnknownValidator) => {
+                    return Ok(PollOutcome::ValidatorIsUnknown(slot));
+                }
+                Err(DutiesReaderError::EpochLengthIsZero) => return Err(Error::EpochLengthIsZero),
+                Err(DutiesReaderError::Poisoned) => return Err(Error::EpochMapPoisoned),
+            };
+
+            self.produce_attestation(slot, shard)
+        } else {
+            Ok(PollOutcome::SlotAlreadyProcessed(slot))
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn produce_attestation(&mut self, slot: u64, shard: u64) -> Result<PollOutcome, Error> {
+        let attestation_data = match self.beacon_node.produce_attestation_data(slot, shard)? {
+            Some(attestation_data) => attestation_data,
+            None => return Ok(PollOutcome::BeaconNodeUnableToProduceAttestation(slot)),
+        };
+
+        if !self.safe_to_produce(&attestation_data) {
+            return Ok(PollOutcome::SlashableAttestationNotProduced(slot));
+        }
+
+        let signature = match self.sign_attestation_data(&attestation_data) {
+            Some(signature) => signature,
+            None => return Ok(PollOutcome::SignerRejection(slot)),
+        };
+
+        let validator_index = match self.duties.validator_index() {
+            Some(validator_index) => validator_index,
+            None => return Ok(PollOutcome::ValidatorIsUnknown(slot)),
+        };
+
+        self.beacon_node
+            .publish_attestation_data(attestation_data, signature, validator_index)?;
+        Ok(PollOutcome::AttestationProduced(slot))
+    }
+
+    fn is_processed_slot(&self, slot: u64) -> bool {
+        match self.last_processed_slot {
+            Some(processed_slot) if slot <= processed_slot => true,
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Consumes a block, returning that block signed by the validators private key.
+    ///
+    /// Important: this function will not check to ensure the block is not slashable. This must be
+    /// done upstream.
+    fn sign_attestation_data(&mut self, attestation_data: &AttestationData) -> Option<Signature> {
+        self.store_produce(attestation_data);
+
+        self.signer
+            .bls_sign(&attestation_data.signable_message(PHASE_0_CUSTODY_BIT)[..])
+    }
+
+    /// Returns `true` if signing some attestation_data is safe (non-slashable).
+    ///
+    /// !!! UNSAFE !!!
+    ///
+    /// Important: this function is presently stubbed-out. It provides ZERO SAFETY.
+    fn safe_to_produce(&self, _attestation_data: &AttestationData) -> bool {
+        // TODO: ensure the producer doesn't produce slashable blocks.
+        // https://github.com/sigp/lighthouse/issues/160
+        true
+    }
+
+    /// Record that a block was produced so that slashable votes may not be made in the future.
+    ///
+    /// !!! UNSAFE !!!
+    ///
+    /// Important: this function is presently stubbed-out. It provides ZERO SAFETY.
+    fn store_produce(&mut self, _block: &AttestationData) {
+        // TODO: record this block production to prevent future slashings.
+        // https://github.com/sigp/lighthouse/issues/160
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<BeaconNodeError> for Error {
+    fn from(e: BeaconNodeError) -> Error {
+        Error::BeaconNodeError(e)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::test_utils::{TestBeaconNode, TestEpochMap, TestSigner};
+    use super::*;
+    use slot_clock::TestingSlotClock;
+    use types::{
+        test_utils::{SeedableRng, TestRandom, XorShiftRng},
+        ChainSpec, Keypair,
+    };
+
+    // TODO: implement more thorough testing.
+    // https://github.com/sigp/lighthouse/issues/160
+    //
+    // These tests should serve as a good example for future tests.
+
+    #[test]
+    pub fn polling() {
+        let mut rng = XorShiftRng::from_seed([42; 16]);
+
+        let spec = Arc::new(ChainSpec::foundation());
+        let slot_clock = Arc::new(TestingSlotClock::new(0));
+        let beacon_node = Arc::new(TestBeaconNode::default());
+        let signer = Arc::new(TestSigner::new(Keypair::random()));
+
+        let mut duties = TestEpochMap::new(spec.epoch_length);
+        let attest_slot = 100;
+        let attest_epoch = attest_slot / spec.epoch_length;
+        let attest_shard = 12;
+        duties.insert_attestation_shard(attest_slot, attest_shard);
+        duties.set_validator_index(Some(2));
+        let duties = Arc::new(duties);
+
+        let mut attester = Attester::new(
+            duties.clone(),
+            slot_clock.clone(),
+            beacon_node.clone(),
+            signer.clone(),
+        );
+
+        // Configure responses from the BeaconNode.
+        beacon_node.set_next_produce_result(Ok(Some(AttestationData::random_for_test(&mut rng))));
+        beacon_node.set_next_publish_result(Ok(PublishOutcome::ValidAttestation));
+
+        // One slot before attestation slot...
+        slot_clock.set_slot(attest_slot - 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            attester.poll(),
+            Ok(PollOutcome::AttestationNotRequired(attest_slot - 1))
+        );
+
+        // On the attest slot...
+        slot_clock.set_slot(attest_slot);
+        assert_eq!(
+            attester.poll(),
+            Ok(PollOutcome::AttestationProduced(attest_slot))
+        );
+
+        // Trying the same attest slot again...
+        slot_clock.set_slot(attest_slot);
+        assert_eq!(
+            attester.poll(),
+            Ok(PollOutcome::SlotAlreadyProcessed(attest_slot))
+        );
+
+        // One slot after the attest slot...
+        slot_clock.set_slot(attest_slot + 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            attester.poll(),
+            Ok(PollOutcome::AttestationNotRequired(attest_slot + 1))
+        );
+
+        // In an epoch without known duties...
+        let slot = (attest_epoch + 1) * spec.epoch_length;
+        slot_clock.set_slot(slot);
+        assert_eq!(
+            attester.poll(),
+            Ok(PollOutcome::ProducerDutiesUnknown(slot))
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/beacon_node.rs b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/beacon_node.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4ebcbdf5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/beacon_node.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+use crate::traits::{BeaconNode, BeaconNodeError, PublishOutcome};
+use std::sync::RwLock;
+use types::{AttestationData, Signature};
+
+type ProduceResult = Result<Option<AttestationData>, BeaconNodeError>;
+type PublishResult = Result<PublishOutcome, BeaconNodeError>;
+
+/// A test-only struct used to simulate a Beacon Node.
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct TestBeaconNode {
+    pub produce_input: RwLock<Option<(u64, u64)>>,
+    pub produce_result: RwLock<Option<ProduceResult>>,
+
+    pub publish_input: RwLock<Option<(AttestationData, Signature, u64)>>,
+    pub publish_result: RwLock<Option<PublishResult>>,
+}
+
+impl TestBeaconNode {
+    pub fn set_next_produce_result(&self, result: ProduceResult) {
+        *self.produce_result.write().unwrap() = Some(result);
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_next_publish_result(&self, result: PublishResult) {
+        *self.publish_result.write().unwrap() = Some(result);
+    }
+}
+
+impl BeaconNode for TestBeaconNode {
+    fn produce_attestation_data(&self, slot: u64, shard: u64) -> ProduceResult {
+        *self.produce_input.write().unwrap() = Some((slot, shard));
+        match *self.produce_result.read().unwrap() {
+            Some(ref r) => r.clone(),
+            None => panic!("TestBeaconNode: produce_result == None"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn publish_attestation_data(
+        &self,
+        attestation_data: AttestationData,
+        signature: Signature,
+        validator_index: u64,
+    ) -> PublishResult {
+        *self.publish_input.write().unwrap() = Some((attestation_data, signature, validator_index));
+        match *self.publish_result.read().unwrap() {
+            Some(ref r) => r.clone(),
+            None => panic!("TestBeaconNode: publish_result == None"),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/epoch_map.rs b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/epoch_map.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9f44ecf1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/epoch_map.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+use crate::{DutiesReader, DutiesReaderError};
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+pub struct TestEpochMap {
+    epoch_length: u64,
+    validator_index: Option<u64>,
+    map: HashMap<u64, (u64, u64)>,
+}
+
+impl TestEpochMap {
+    pub fn new(epoch_length: u64) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            epoch_length,
+            validator_index: None,
+            map: HashMap::new(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn insert_attestation_shard(&mut self, slot: u64, shard: u64) {
+        let epoch = slot / self.epoch_length;
+
+        self.map.insert(epoch, (slot, shard));
+    }
+
+    pub fn set_validator_index(&mut self, index: Option<u64>) {
+        self.validator_index = index;
+    }
+}
+
+impl DutiesReader for TestEpochMap {
+    fn attestation_shard(&self, slot: u64) -> Result<Option<u64>, DutiesReaderError> {
+        let epoch = slot / self.epoch_length;
+
+        match self.map.get(&epoch) {
+            Some((attest_slot, attest_shard)) if *attest_slot == slot => Ok(Some(*attest_shard)),
+            Some((attest_slot, _attest_shard)) if *attest_slot != slot => Ok(None),
+            _ => Err(DutiesReaderError::UnknownEpoch),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn validator_index(&self) -> Option<u64> {
+        self.validator_index
+    }
+}
diff --git a/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/mod.rs b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0dd384b12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+mod beacon_node;
+mod epoch_map;
+mod signer;
+
+pub use self::beacon_node::TestBeaconNode;
+pub use self::epoch_map::TestEpochMap;
+pub use self::signer::TestSigner;
diff --git a/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/signer.rs b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/signer.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d43c0feb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/src/test_utils/signer.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+use crate::traits::Signer;
+use std::sync::RwLock;
+use types::{Keypair, Signature};
+
+/// A test-only struct used to simulate a Beacon Node.
+pub struct TestSigner {
+    keypair: Keypair,
+    should_sign: RwLock<bool>,
+}
+
+impl TestSigner {
+    /// Produce a new TestSigner with signing enabled by default.
+    pub fn new(keypair: Keypair) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            keypair,
+            should_sign: RwLock::new(true),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// If set to `false`, the service will refuse to sign all messages. Otherwise, all messages
+    /// will be signed.
+    pub fn enable_signing(&self, enabled: bool) {
+        *self.should_sign.write().unwrap() = enabled;
+    }
+}
+
+impl Signer for TestSigner {
+    fn bls_sign(&self, message: &[u8]) -> Option<Signature> {
+        Some(Signature::new(message, &self.keypair.sk))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/eth2/attester/src/traits.rs b/eth2/attester/src/traits.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bc3ccf63f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth2/attester/src/traits.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+use types::{AttestationData, Signature};
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+pub enum BeaconNodeError {
+    RemoteFailure(String),
+    DecodeFailure,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+pub enum PublishOutcome {
+    ValidAttestation,
+    InvalidAttestation(String),
+}
+
+/// Defines the methods required to produce and publish blocks on a Beacon Node.
+pub trait BeaconNode: Send + Sync {
+    fn produce_attestation_data(
+        &self,
+        slot: u64,
+        shard: u64,
+    ) -> Result<Option<AttestationData>, BeaconNodeError>;
+
+    fn publish_attestation_data(
+        &self,
+        attestation_data: AttestationData,
+        signature: Signature,
+        validator_index: u64,
+    ) -> Result<PublishOutcome, BeaconNodeError>;
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+pub enum DutiesReaderError {
+    UnknownValidator,
+    UnknownEpoch,
+    EpochLengthIsZero,
+    Poisoned,
+}
+
+/// Informs a validator of their duties (e.g., block production).
+pub trait DutiesReader: Send + Sync {
+    /// Returns `Some(shard)` if this slot is an attestation slot. Otherwise, returns `None.`
+    fn attestation_shard(&self, slot: u64) -> Result<Option<u64>, DutiesReaderError>;
+
+    /// Returns `Some(shard)` if this slot is an attestation slot. Otherwise, returns `None.`
+    fn validator_index(&self) -> Option<u64>;
+}
+
+/// Signs message using an internally-maintained private key.
+pub trait Signer {
+    fn bls_sign(&self, message: &[u8]) -> Option<Signature>;
+}