Staff Software Engineer

Coinbase, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Coinbase is seeking a senior cryptography architect to lead the architecture and execution of cryptographic infrastructure critical to global regulatory compliance.

You will define technical strategies across multi-quarter horizons, own ambitious secure protocols, and shape engineering quality as a technical anchor. Lead cross-functional collaboration with Security, Product, and Policy while mentoring senior engineers.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software engineering building highly available distributed systems.
• Deep cryptography expertise with KMS/HSM and safe cryptographic protocol implementation.
• Experience with regulatory requirements and secure, zero-trust environments.
• Proven track record leading architecture and delivery for large-scale projects.
• Experience with modern programming languages (Golang, Java, C++, Rust).
• Ability to guide teams with rigorous code reviews and resilience focus.
• Responsible use of AI to improve workflows with human oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and execution of cryptographic infrastructure for global regulatory compliance.
• Define technical strategies with multi-quarter horizon for cryptographic solutions.
• Own ambitious initiatives in secure protocols in zero-trust environments.
• Mentor engineers, enforce engineering quality and prevent single points of failure.
• Collaborate with Security, Product, and Policy for flawless execution.

Skills

Distributed systems

Applied cryptography

KMS/HSM

Multi-Party Computation

Golang

Java

C++

Rust

Security and latency

Technical leadership

Tools

Golang tooling

Security standards

Job description

Ready to do the most impactful work of your career? At Coinbase, we are uncompromising on our mission to increase economic freedom. The bar is high, the environment is intense, and we like it that way. This isn't a place for complacency, it’s a place to be pushed past your perceived limits. If you're ready to build the future of finance alongside people who refuse to settle for "good enough," you belong here. Coinbase is a remote-first, but not remote-only company. Expect to get together quarterly for intense in-person working sessions called "surges."

What you’ll do:

• Lead the architecture and execution of critical cryptographic infrastructure, including services required for global regulatory compliance
• Define technical strategies with a multi-quarter horizon, bringing clarity to highly ambiguous requirements for novel cryptographic solutions
• Own risky and ambitious initiatives, implementing secure and resilient cryptographic protocols in a high-stakes, zero-trust environment
• Shape engineering quality practices as a technical anchor and mentor within a team of senior engineers, driving rigorous code reviews and eliminating single points of failure
• Build alignment and secure commitment from cross-functional partners across Security, Product, and Policy to drive flawless execution

Required Skills and Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in software engineering with demonstrated success building highly available, distributed systems
• Deep domain expertise in applied cryptography, Key Management Systems (KMS), or Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), with proven experience safely implementing cryptographic protocols (Multi-Party Computation experience strongly preferred)
• Extensive programming experience in systems languages such as Golang, Java, C++, or Rust, with ability to operate in a Golang-heavy environment
• Proven track record operating Tier-0 or highly critical infrastructure where system resilience, security, and low latency are absolute prerequisites
• Demonstrated experience leading a team's technical strategy, architecture, and deliverables for large-scale projects, including navigating complex regulatory requirements and translating them into robust engineering solutions
• Utilizes generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality

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.

US Applicants: View Employee Rights, Know Your Rights, and E-Verify Notice of Participation.

Accommodations: If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation, email us your request and contact info at accommodations[at]coinbase.com. Need screen reading technology? download a free compatible screen reader and view the tutorial.

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