AI Growth Lead (Staff Software Engineer)

Details

At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. Coinbase is becoming an "AI-Native" company by 2028, and the AI Growth Lead (individual contributor / Staff Software Engineer) will drive AI adoption across Coinbase by working within one or more AI Growth Pods — internal accelerators that partner with non-engineering functions (Finance, HR, Legal, Operations, Marketing, Security) to identify, prototype, and scale high-impact AI automation solutions.

This role is the AI Automation DRI (Directly Responsible Individual) for assigned pods, taking initiatives from ideation to initial implementation and broader productionalization while ensuring tangible ROI and enabling broader AI adoption. The role requires strategic thinking, hands-on technical ability, and exceptional cross-functional collaboration. Coinbase is remote-first but not remote-only; in-person participation is required throughout the year (team and company offsites are held multiple times annually).

Responsibilities

• Lead AI opportunity discovery by partnering with leaders and teams to understand workflows, identify pain points, and translate business challenges into actionable AI use cases.
• Design and prototype AI solutions using advanced Generative AI techniques, including large language models (LLMs) and agentic AI; build functional prototypes such as AI agents, custom copilots, and intelligent workflows.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code in Python and Golang to support prototypes and production solutions.
• Deploy sustainable, scalable, secure production-grade AI solutions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Act as an internal consultant and accelerator: provide guidance on AI capabilities, responsible AI usage, prompt engineering best practices, and strategic integration of AI into operations; mentor team members on design principles and coding standards.
• Drive adoption and enablement: pilot AI solutions, gather feedback, iterate, and support adoption to ensure demonstrable value.
• Collaborate with central AI Platform and DevX teams to leverage infrastructure, contribute to shared knowledge, and ensure scalability and security.
• Ensure responsible AI by working with Security, Legal, and Compliance on security, privacy, and ethical guidelines for sensitive data and high-risk workflows.
• Define success metrics, track ROI, and communicate impact to stakeholders.
• Continuously research and experiment with emerging AI models, tools, and industry best practices.

Requirements

• Experience: 8+ years in software engineering or a highly analytical/technical role, with at least 1+ years focused on applied AI, Generative AI, or intelligent automation.
• Deep AI & Automation Expertise:
  • Strong understanding of LLM capabilities, limitations, and architectures (e.g., RAG, agents, fine-tuning concepts).
  • Hands-on experience with AI tools and platforms (e.g., enterprise LLMs like Gemini/Claude, no-code/low-code automation platforms, agent frameworks such as LangChain/LangGraph, Python).
  • Proven ability to rapidly prototype and demonstrate working solutions. Background in AI/LLM infrastructure is a plus.
• Strong Software Engineering Skills:
  • Proven expertise designing, building, scaling, and maintaining production services with an understanding of microservices architecture.
  • Ability to write high-quality, well-tested code and debug complex technical issues to improve reliability and scalability.
• Exceptional Business Acumen:
  • Ability to understand complex business processes and translate them into technical requirements and AI opportunities.
  • ROI-driven mindset and experience quantifying business value from technology initiatives. Familiarity with financial services, crypto, or high-growth tech environments is a plus.
• Consulting & Influence Skills:
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication, able to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
  • Proven track record influencing stakeholders and driving adoption in a matrixed organization.
• Problem-Solving & Agility:
  • Highly analytical, comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration, able to manage multiple parallel initiatives.
• Collaboration & Risk Awareness:
  • Experience working cross-functionally with legal, security, compliance, and engineering teams.
  • Strong understanding of data privacy, security, and ethical considerations related to AI.

Nice to Haves

• Experience in BizOps, Data Science, Data Engineering, or Product Engineering with a strong focus on automation.
• Prior experience building or implementing AI agents or advanced workflow automation solutions.
• Active participation in the broader AI community (open-source contributions, conference presentations).

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision plans with generous employee contributions
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Disability and Life Insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Wellness stipend, Mobile/Internet reimbursement, Connections stipend
• Volunteer Time Off
• Fertility counseling and benefits
• Generous time off/leave policy
• Option of getting paid in digital currency

Additional Information

• Job #: GPBE06US-AI
• #LI-Remote
• Pay Range (target annual salary, offers also include target bonus, target equity, and benefits): $218,025 — $256,500 USD
• Coinbase pilots some AI tools for initial screening and interview intelligence; a human recruiter will review interview responses. Reasonable accommodations available for applicants with disabilities.