Role in brief
Coinbase seeks a Staff Data Engineer to develop and maintain market data systems for institutional trading. This role involves building low-latency, high-throughput solutions for real-time data, contributing to system reliability, and collaborating with various teams. Ideal for experienced backend engineers proficient in Java or C++ with a background in market data protocols and production system operation.
About the role
This role focuses on engineering and operating critical market data components, including feed handlers, data normalization, distribution, and exchange connectivity. The primary goal is to design and implement low-latency, high-throughput systems that deliver real-time market data to trading systems. Success in this position means ensuring the robust and efficient flow of market data, directly impacting the performance of institutional trading operations.
The Staff Data Engineer will contribute to the overall reliability and performance of these systems. This involves active participation in observability practices, on-call rotations, and incident response to maintain system uptime and address issues promptly. The role also requires writing high-quality, well-tested code and helping to elevate the technical standards within a lean engineering team.
Collaboration is a key aspect of this position, as the engineer will partner with other engineers, product managers, and cross-functional stakeholders. This partnership ensures that market data capabilities are delivered effectively and align with broader business objectives. The engineer is expected to take features from conception to deployment and ongoing operation, demonstrating a full ownership mindset.
The annual base salary for this role ranges from $207,485 to $244,100 USD, with total compensation potentially including equity and bonus eligibility.
Skills that matter here
- Java: Proficiency in Java is required for building low-latency, high-throughput backend systems.
- C++: Proficiency in C++ is an alternative to Java for developing performance-critical backend components.
- Aeron: Experience with Aeron or similar high-throughput messaging systems is necessary for efficient data transfer.
- SBE: Familiarity with SBE (Simple Binary Encoding) is relevant for optimizing market data protocols.
- FIX: Knowledge of FIX (Financial Information eXchange) protocol is important for venue and exchange connectivity.
- multicast: Understanding of multicast is required for efficient distribution of market data.
Who this role suits
- You have a background of at least five years in backend engineering, specifically with low-latency production systems.
- You have practical experience with market data systems, including components like feed handlers or data distribution.
- You are comfortable owning the entire lifecycle of features, from development to operating them in production.
- You are committed to writing high-quality, well-tested code and actively contribute to raising team standards.
From the employer
- Build and operate market data components: feed handlers, normalization, distribution, and venue connectivity.
- Design low-latency, high-throughput systems for real-time market data used by trading systems.
- Contribute to reliability and performance, participating in observability, on-call, and incident response.
- Write high-quality, well-tested code and help raise the quality bar on a lean team.
- Partner with engineers, product, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver market data capabilities.
- 5+ years of backend engineering, with experience building and maintaining production low-latency systems.
- Hands-on experience with market data systems (feed handlers, normalization, or distribution).
- Proficiency in low-latency Java (or C++) and high-throughput messaging (Aeron, SBE, or similar).
- Familiarity with venue/exchange connectivity and market data protocols (FIX, ITCH/OUCH, multicast).
- Track record delivering features end-to-end and operating what you build.
- Utilizes generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.
- 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): $207,485—$244,100 USD.
- Candidates may submit a maximum of 3 applications within a 6-month period.
- Coinbase is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Questions about this role
What is the remote work policy for this role?
This is a remote-first position, but the company also holds quarterly in-person working sessions called 'surges'.
What is the required seniority level for this role?
This position is for a Staff Data Engineer, which is a middle seniority level role requiring 5+ years of experience.
What are the core technical skills needed for this position?
Key technical skills include Java or C++, experience with high-throughput messaging like Aeron or SBE, and familiarity with market data protocols such as FIX, ITCH/OUCH, and multicast.