Role in brief
Coinbase is hiring a Senior Software Engineer for its Blockchain Networks team. This role involves designing and delivering critical infrastructure to integrate blockchain protocols with internal services, focusing on improving system performance and reliability. It suits experienced engineers with a background in distributed systems and blockchain technology, who can lead complex projects and define robust APIs.
About the role
This position centers on building and maintaining the core infrastructure that connects various blockchain protocols with Coinbase's internal services. The engineer will be responsible for abstracting the complexities of blockchain networks into reliable, platform-level APIs. This includes leading significant projects such as integrating new blockchain chains, re-architecting existing systems, and managing data migrations to enhance latency, reliability, and cost efficiency.
The role requires a deep technical understanding of major blockchain protocols like Bitcoin and Ethereum to simplify cross-chain operations. Success in this position means defining and upholding APIs, Service Level Objectives (SLOs), and observability for the systems developed, which includes participating in on-call rotations. Collaboration with product and platform teams is essential to establish data contracts and deliver SDKs and platform primitives that encourage adoption across the company.
Candidates should have a proven history of owning production services within a service-oriented architecture, particularly those handling high-throughput, low-latency distributed systems. The work involves decomposing complex systems into well-defined microservices with clear API contracts. The role also expects responsible use of generative AI to improve workflow efficiency, cost, and quality, always with human oversight.
The base salary for this position ranges from $98,000 to $162,000 annually, with potential for additional compensation including equity and bonuses.
Skills that matter here
- Golang: Experience with Golang is required for developing and maintaining the blockchain network infrastructure.
- Kafka: Familiarity with Kafka is needed for handling high-throughput, low-latency data streams in distributed systems.
- Redis: Knowledge of Redis is applied in designing and scaling distributed systems that require fast data access.
- MongoDB: Experience with MongoDB is relevant for managing and scaling data within the blockchain network infrastructure.
Who this role suits
- You are an experienced software engineer with at least five years in the field, specifically with production service ownership.
- You have a strong background in designing, scaling, and maintaining distributed systems that handle demanding workloads.
- You possess direct experience integrating with blockchain protocols or managing crypto infrastructure.
- You are capable of leading multi-quarter initiatives and decomposing complex systems into modular microservices.
From the employer
- Own the design and delivery of blockchain network infrastructure that abstracts blockchain complexity into reliable, platform APIs
- Lead multi-quarter initiatives including new chain integrations, re-architecture efforts, and data migrations that improve system latency, reliability, and cost
- Define and maintain APIs, SLOs, and observability for the systems you build, including on-call ownership
- Partner with product and platform teams to establish data contracts and ship SDKs and platform primitives that drive adoption across Coinbase
- Build deep technical context across multiple top blockchain protocols (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) and apply that knowledge to simplify cross-chain operations
- 5+ years of software engineering experience, with demonstrated ownership of production services in a service-oriented architecture
- Proven track record designing, scaling, and maintaining distributed systems handling high-throughput, low-latency workloads
- Hands-on experience with at least two of the following: Golang, Kafka, Redis, MongoDB, or similar infrastructure technologies
- Direct experience with blockchain protocols or crypto infrastructure (e.g., integrating with Ethereum, Bitcoin, or similar L1/L2 networks)
- Demonstrated ability to decompose complex systems (monoliths, legacy architectures) into well-bounded microservices with clear API contracts
- Utilizes generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.
- Base salary range: $98K-$162K
- Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility, and benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k)).
Questions about this role
What is the remote work policy for this role?
This is a fully remote position.
What level of seniority is expected for this role?
This role is for a senior-level software engineer.
What are the key technical skills required for this position?
Key technical skills include Golang, Kafka, Redis, and MongoDB, along with experience in blockchain protocols.