Software Engineer (Python, Go)

About The Company

Coinbase is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange and financial technology platform dedicated to increasing economic freedom worldwide. With a mission to create an open financial system for the world, Coinbase provides users with a secure, reliable, and user-friendly environment to buy, sell, and manage digital assets. As a remote-first company, Coinbase fosters innovation and collaboration across diverse teams, emphasizing transparency, integrity, and customer-centric solutions. The organization operates at the forefront of blockchain technology, continuously advancing its infrastructure and ecosystem partnerships to shape the future of finance. Coinbase's commitment to excellence and its vibrant community make it an ideal place for professionals passionate about blockchain, finance, and technology to build impactful careers.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Software Engineer to join our Staking Platform team within the Platform group. In this pivotal role, you will serve as Coinbase's primary technical authority on Solana staking, owning the strategic vision and execution across validator operations, protocol integration, and ecosystem evolution. You will leverage your deep expertise in Solana's protocol, consensus mechanisms, and validator client landscape to influence Coinbase’s staking operations, which manage approximately 9.25% of all staked SOL, making it one of the largest in the world. Your responsibilities will include developing multi-year technical strategies, optimizing validator performance for industry-leading APY, and representing Coinbase within the Solana ecosystem. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of blockchain staking, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to the growth of decentralized finance infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with a focus on blockchain or distributed systems.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Solana protocol, including runtime, validator mechanics, staking economics, and consensus algorithms (Tower BFT).
• Proficiency in Rust and/or Go, with a strong background in building and operating complex distributed infrastructure at scale.
• Established relationships within the Solana ecosystem, including connections with the Solana Foundation, core development teams, or major validators.
• Proven track record of defining and executing multi-quarter technical strategies and aligning cross-functional teams.
• Experience with evolving staking landscapes, including liquid staking, stake pools, and restaking protocols, or similar PoS protocols like Ethereum or Cosmos.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience in public speaking, protocol governance, or community engagement.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to break down ambiguous problems into actionable plans.
• Experience with generative AI tools, maintaining responsible use, and leveraging AI for workflow improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own Coinbase’s long-term technical strategy for Solana staking, focusing on validator performance, protocol participation, and product integration.
• Lead engineering efforts to maximize APY through validator optimization, including vote accuracy, block production, MEV strategies, and stake distribution tooling.
• Serve as Coinbase’s authoritative expert on Solana runtime, consensus mechanisms, staking economics, and validator client ecosystems such as Agave and Firedancer.
• Evaluate protocol upgrades and governance proposals (e.g., SIMD proposals) to proactively position Coinbase for protocol changes.
• Partner with Retail and Institutional Staking teams to design scalable staking integrations across Coinbase’s product offerings.
• Advise on non-staking Solana initiatives requiring deep protocol knowledge and technical expertise.
• Represent Coinbase within the Solana ecosystem by maintaining relationships with the Solana Foundation, core developers, and validators, contributing to protocol governance and community discussions.
• Build and maintain production infrastructure for validator operations, including monitoring, automation, and reliability enhancements.
• Mentor engineers across seniority levels (IC4-IC5) on Solana-specific domain expertise and best practices.

Benefits

• Competitive annual base salary ranging from $218,025 to $256,500 USD, commensurate with experience and location.
• Potential for additional compensation through equity and bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and participation in industry conferences.
• Inclusive and diverse work environment that values innovation and collaboration.

Equal Opportunity

Coinbase is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 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. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable hiring practices and fostering a workplace that respects and values differences. Applicants with criminal histories will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.