Role in brief
Coinbase is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for its Data Engineering Platform team. This role focuses on building and maintaining core data systems, SDKs, and self-service tools that support analytics and machine learning across the company. Ideal for experienced engineers skilled in Python or Java, SQL, and modern data platforms who thrive in a high-impact, remote-first environment.
About the role
This Senior Software Engineer position is within Coinbase's Data Engineering Platform team, which is responsible for centralizing and managing all internal and third-party data. The team's mission is to ensure data is easily accessible, processable, and transformable for various functions, including analytics, machine learning, and powering user experiences. The role involves developing robust, scalable data systems and tools that support thousands of data pipelines.
The work involves creating clean software abstractions, modular components, and SDKs for data integration and processing used by various internal teams. A key aspect is designing self-service applications that enable analysts and data scientists to manage their own pipelines without needing deep platform knowledge. The role also includes building critical tooling for data security and observability, covering access controls, data quality tracking, cataloging, lineage, and usage auditing.
Success in this role means enabling other teams to leverage data effectively and securely. This involves cross-functional collaboration, consulting with upstream teams on data structuring, and providing downstream data scientists with well-designed data models. The engineer will translate functional requirements from analytics, machine learning, and compliance into scalable, reusable data patterns, contributing directly to Coinbase's mission of increasing economic freedom.
The annual base salary for this role ranges from $186,065 to $218,900 USD, with total compensation potentially including equity, bonuses, and benefits.
Skills that matter here
- Python: Used for backend development and building data integration SDKs.
- Java: Used for backend development and building data integration SDKs.
- SQL: Applied for ETL/ELT processes, data quality checks, and data analysis.
- Snowflake: Experience with this or similar data warehousing platforms is required for data system development.
- Databricks: Experience with this or similar data processing platforms is required for data system development.
- Airflow: Experience with this workflow management tool is relevant for pipeline orchestration.
Who this role suits
- A builder who enjoys creating scalable, reusable software abstractions and self-service tools.
- Someone with a strong background in data systems who can translate complex requirements into robust technical solutions.
- An individual who thrives in a demanding, high-impact environment and is driven to push past perceived limits.
- A collaborative engineer who can work effectively across teams, consulting on data structures and delivering well-documented models.
From the employer
What you'll do:
- Build clean software abstractions and modular, reusable components that let us support thousands of pipelines and beyond as we scale.
- Build and maintain data integration and processing SDKs used by data teams and internal services across Coinbase.
- Design and build self-service applications that let analysts and data scientists create, manage, and troubleshoot their own pipelines without deep platform knowledge.
- Build tooling for data security and observability: access controls across storage and access layers, data quality tracking, dataset cataloging and lineage, usage auditing.
- Work cross-functionally: consult upstream teams on structuring their databases to expose good data APIs, and give downstream data scientists well-designed, well-documented data models and metrics.
- Convert functional requests from data analysts, ML, and security & compliance into reusable, scalable patterns.
Required Skills and Experience:
- 7+ years experience
- Strong Python or Java backend development skills.
- Fluent SQL for ETL/ELT, data quality, and analysis.
- Hands-on experience with Snowflake, Databricks, or similar.
- General experience working with data systems or data pipelines.
- Working knowledge of git, Linux, and Docker.
- Airflow, BI, and AI tool experience.
Pay Transparency Notice:
- Base salary varies by location (see range below).
- Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility, and benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k)).
- Annual base salary range (excluding equity and bonus): $186,065 — $218,900 USD.
- Application Limit: Candidates may submit a maximum of 3 applications within a 6-month period.
Questions about this role
What is the remote work policy for this role?
This is a remote position, but Coinbase operates as a remote-first company with quarterly in-person working sessions called 'surges'.
What level of experience is required for this position?
This is a senior-level role requiring at least 7 years of experience in software development, particularly with data systems or data pipelines.
What are the core technical skills needed?
Candidates should have strong Python or Java backend skills, fluency in SQL, and hands-on experience with platforms like Snowflake or Databricks, along with knowledge of git, Linux, Docker, and Airflow.