FCM Tech Lead

Coinbase; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 218,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Job summary

Coinbase is seeking a senior backend engineer to own design and architecture across the FCM core, spanning market data, order routing, settlement, and risk. You will drive a major replatforming effort, reduce legacy dependencies, and raise system stability and reliability.

The role requires hands-on ownership of multiple trade lifecycle parts in a regulated environment, with emphasis on end-to-end delivery and responsible AI usage.

Qualifications

• Extensive backend engineering experience with ownership of distributed systems.
• Direct FCM or derivatives experience with hands-on ownership of trade lifecycle parts.
• Deep proficiency in a modern backend language (Go preferred; Java or similar).
• Experience in regulated financial environments with auditability.
• Track record delivering end-to-end from scoping to deployment.
• Uses generative AI responsibly with human oversight.

Responsibilities

• Own design and architecture across the FCM core, from market data and order routing through settlement, reporting, and risk.
• Drive the next-gen replatforming effort, reducing legacy vendor dependencies while raising stability and reliability.
• Set the technical bar through code, design reviews, and standards, and pay down the technical debt that matters most.
• Partner across pods (execution, risk, lifecycle) and cross-functionally with Product, CFM Risk and Ops, Finance, and Compliance to deliver correct, auditable systems and turn strategy into a roadmap.
• Mentor engineers across the team and act as a force multiplier, scaling engineering quality and helping others grow.

Skills

Backend engineering

FCM/derivatives experience

Go

Event-driven architecture

Regulated financial environment

End-to-end delivery

AI in workflow

Job description

What you’ll do:

• Own design and architecture across the FCM core, from market data and order routing through settlement, reporting, and risk.
• Drive the next-gen replatforming effort, reducing legacy vendor dependencies while raising stability and reliability.
• Set the technical bar through code, design reviews, and standards, and pay down the technical debt that matters most.
• Partner across pods (execution, risk, lifecycle) and cross-functionally with Product, CFM Risk and Ops, Finance, and Compliance to deliver correct, auditable systems and turn strategy into a roadmap.
• Mentor engineers across the team and act as a force multiplier, scaling engineering quality and helping others grow.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Extensive backend engineering experience, with demonstrated ownership of complex, production-grade distributed systems.
• Direct FCM or derivatives experience, with hands‑on ownership of one or more parts of the futures trade lifecycle (settlement, clearing, margin/risk, order entry/routing, market data, or back‑office books and records).
• Deep proficiency in a modern backend language (Go preferred; Java or similar) and event‑driven, high‑availability architectures; familiarity with Ion XTP is a plus.
• Experience in a regulated or financial environment (CFTC/NFA or comparable) where correctness, auditability, and reliability are critical.
• Track record delivering end‑to‑end, from scoping and architecture through implementation, monitoring, and iteration, including replatforming or migrating off legacy systems while still coding hands‑on and raising the quality bar.
• Utilizes generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business‑ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.

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):

$218,025—$256,500 USD

• Equal Opportunity Employer: 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. Applicants with criminal histories will be considered consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
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