Staff Software Engineer, Data Platform

TRM Labs; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

TRM Labs is seeking a Software Engineer for the Data Platform team to build scalable data infrastructure that analyzes blockchain activity at petabyte scale. You will implement mission-critical data services, ETL pipelines, and robust data models to enable sub-second querying and reliable operation across cloud environments.

The role collaborates with data scientists, backend engineers, and product managers to deliver high-availability systems and impactful results for TRM's products and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in architecting distributed system architecture.
• Exceptional programming skills in Python, as well as adeptness in SQL or SparkSQL.
• Versatility across data engineering areas including Iceberg, Trino, BigQuery, StarRocks, and Citus.
• Proficiency with data pipeline/workflow tools like Airflow and DBT.
• Expertise in data processing/streaming with Spark, Kafka, and Flink.
• Experience deploying/monitoring infra in public clouds using Docker, Terraform, Kubernetes, Datadog.

Responsibilities

• Build reliable data services to integrate with multiple blockchains and data sources.
• Develop ETL pipelines processing petabytes of data in real-time.
• Design data models for low-latency querying of blockchain data.
• Oversee deployment and monitoring of large DB clusters for high availability.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and product managers to design data models.

Skills

Python

SQL

SparkSQL

Iceberg

Trino

BigQuery

StarRocks

Citus

Airflow

DBT

Spark

Kafka

Flink

Docker

Terraform

Kubernetes

Datadog

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Airflow

DBT

Spark

Kafka

Flink

Docker

Terraform

Kubernetes

Datadog

Job description

Build a Safer World. TRM Labs provides AI-powered intelligence solutions that help public and private sector agencies investigate and disrupt crime. TRM's platforms enable investigators to trace illicit activity, build cases, and construct operating pictures of threat networks. Leading agencies and businesses worldwide rely on TRM to make the world safer and more secure. The Data Platform team collaborates with an experienced group of data scientists, engineers, and product managers to build highly available and scalable data infrastructure for TRM's products and services. As a Software Engineer on the Data Platform team, you will be responsible for executing mission-critical systems and data services that analyze blockchain transaction activity at petabyte scale, and ultimately work to build a safer financial system for billions of people.

The Impact You Will Have Here

• Build highly reliable data services to integrate with dozens of blockchains.
• Develop complex ETL pipelines that transform and process petabytes of structured and unstructured data in real-time.
• Design and architect intricate data models for optimal storage and retrieval to support sub-second latency for querying blockchain data.
• Oversee the deployment and monitoring of large database clusters with an unwavering focus on performance and high availability.
• Collaborate across departments, partnering with data scientists, backend engineers, and product managers to design and implement novel data models that enhance TRM’s products.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or a related field.
• A proven track record, with 5+ years of hands‑on experience in architecting distributed system architecture, guiding projects from initial ideation through to successful production deployment.
• Exceptional programming skills in Python, as well as adeptness in SQL or SparkSQL.
• Versatility that spans the entire spectrum of data engineering in one or more of the following areas:
  • In-depth experience with data stores and engines such as Iceberg, Trino, BigQuery, and StarRocks, and Citus.
  • Proficiency in data pipeline and workflow orchestration tools like Airflow, DBT, etc.
  • Expertise in data processing technologies and streaming workflows including Spark, Kafka, and Flink.
  • Competence in deploying and monitoring infrastructure within public cloud platforms, utilizing tools such as Docker, Terraform, Kubernetes, and Datadog.
  • Proven ability in loading, querying, and transforming extensive datasets.

Learn About TRM Speed In This Position

• Build a scalable engine to optimize routine scaling and maintenance tasks like create self-serve automation for creating new pgbouncer, scaling disks, scaling/updating of clusters, etc. Enabling tasks to be faster next time and reducing dependency on a single person!
• Identify ways to compress timelines using 80/20 principle. For instance, what does it take to be operational in a new environment? Identify the must have and nice to haves that are need to deploy our stack to be fully operation. Focus on must haves first to get us operational and then use future milestones to harden for customer readiness. We think in terms of weeks and not months!
• Identify first version, a.k.a., "skateboards" for projects. For instance, building observability dashboard within a week and later gathering feedback from stakeholders to identify more needs or bells & whistles to add to the dashboard.

Interviewing with TRM

• Recruiter Intro: Qualifications, motivations, and alignment with the role.
• Hiring Manager: Deep dive into your relevant experience, skills, and impact.
• First Round: 1–2 interviews focused on the skills most critical to the role.
• Final Round: Hands‑on case study. This is usually a panel‑style session where we go deeper into your craft, problem-solving, and alignment with TRM.
• References: Former colleagues who can provide insight into your work and impact.
• Offer: Congrats! Your recruiter will present the offer and compensation details.
• Welcome to TRM: We're excited to build a safer world with you!

AI Fluency at TRM

• Accelerate repeatable workflows
• Structure and solve problems
• Improve output quality
• Increase speed and leverage

Life at TRM

We are building a safer world. That promise shows up in how we work every day. TRM moves FAST. We are a high-velocity, high-ownership team that expects clarity, follow-through, and impact. People who thrive here are energized by hard problems, experimentation, and continuous feedback. If something takes months elsewhere, it will ship here in days. Our work sits at the intersection of AI, national security, and fighting crime. The problems are complex, the stakes are real, and the environment evolves quickly. The pace and intensity of the work reflect the importance of the mission. As a result, the way we operate requires a high level of ownership, adaptability, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

At TRM, You Should Expect

• Priorities and targets to change quickly
• Operating with a high degree of ambiguity
• A high level of personal ownership and accountability
• Close collaboration across teams and functions
• Frequent, high-touch communication
• Creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking
• A pace that rewards urgency, adaptability, and outcomes

This environment is energizing for people who enjoy building, solving hard problems, and making progress in situations that are not always fully defined. It also requires thriving in ambiguity, adjusting course as new information emerges, and maintaining focus and positivity in a fast-moving and intense environment. We also recognize that this style of operating is not for everyone. If you are primarily optimizing for predictability or a consistently balanced workload, we encourage you to use the interview process to pressure-test whether this environment is truly the right fit. We want teammates who thrive here, not just survive here. If you are excited by meaningful problems, motivated by ambitious goals, and energized by working alongside mission-driven colleagues, there is a good chance you will find TRM to be an exceptional place to grow and contribute.

Leadership Principles

• Impact-Oriented Trailblazer: We put customers first and move with speed, focus, and adaptability. We treat every plan like an experiment – test, ship, measure, and iterate quickly.
• Master Craftsperson: We care deeply about our craft. We balance speed with high standards, own outcomes end‑to‑end, and invest in getting better everyday.
• Inspiring Colleague: We add clarity and energy, not noise. We bring humility, candor, and a one‑team mindset — giving and receiving feedback to make the team stronger.

Join our Mission

At TRM, we care deeply about our craft. We are looking for individuals who want their work to matter, who experiment with speed and rigor, and who take pride in building a safer world for billions of people. If you’re excited by TRM’s mission but don’t check every box, we encourage you to apply — we hire for slope, judgment, and the will to learn fast. TRM is a Series C company with $220M in total funding, backed by Goldman Sachs, Bessemer, Y Combinator, Thoma Bravo, and others. Headquartered in San Francisco, TRM operates as a distributed‑first company with hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., London, and Singapore.

Privacy Policy And Additional Information

By submitting your application, you agree to allow TRM Labs to process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We collect the information you provide (such as your resume, work history, and contact details) solely for the purpose of evaluating your candidacy for current and future roles at TRM. Because our hiring cycles for certain positions may span 24 to 36 months, we retain your personal information for up to 36 months from the date of your application. After that period, your data is deleted unless a different retention period is required or permitted by law. If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or another jurisdiction with applicable data protection laws, you have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data at any time before that period ends. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [e-mail]. To notify TRM Labs that you believe this job posting is non‑compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance. The use of AI tools of any kind (including but not limited to notetakers, interview assistants, and real‑time coaching tools such as Otter.ai, Fireflies, Fathom, Cluey, or similar) during TRM interviews is not permitted without prior approval from TRM. TRM uses its own internal tools for note‑taking to ensure a consistent and confidential experience for all candidates. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this form.