Senior Software Engineer, Blockchain Platform (Staking Validators)

Details

At Coinbase we aim to increase economic freedom by building the emerging onchain platform and the future global financial system. The Staking Validators team operates all staking-related nodes at Coinbase, running the largest validators fleet in the world and building infrastructure to provide secure, high-uptime, and optimized proof-of-stake network operations.

The role is remote-first but not remote-only; in-person participation and attendance at team and company-wide offsites throughout the year is expected and supported.

Team & Impact

• Operate, onboard, and optimize proof-of-stake network infrastructure for multiple protocols.
• Build infrastructure focused on security, high uptime, observability, and monitoring for large-scale validator operations.
• Innovate to improve yield and operational efficiency for customers and internal teams.
• Work in small pods split by protocol (one pod may focus on Ethereum) with high-impact responsibility over very large staked assets.

Technically Challenging Work / Public Resources

• Operating highly performant blockchain nodes at scale with billions USD in staked assets on validators.
• Engage with protocol developer communities and external partners to influence and adopt industry improvements.

Public blog posts referenced by the team (examples of community and technical engagement):

• Ethereum Validator Performance Report
• Solana Validator Performance Report
• When less is more: the security of a 99% uptime guarantee | Coinbase
• Operating staking nodes on Kubernetes
• Reimagining Ethereum staking node architecture to improve performance and reliability

Responsibilities

• Manage one or more projects end-to-end, regardless of size or complexity (examples include supporting major Ethereum releases and hardforks such as large EIP releases, researching and supporting deep technical changes within Ethereum clients, or optimizing local DB performance).
• Be accountable for high-quality product launches and smooth project landings using experience-based judgment and proven technologies.
• Partner with Product to influence quarterly and long-term roadmaps via technical proposals.
• Adopt and support Coinbase "paved roads" for improved devops/infra practices that increase operational efficiency of the validator fleet.
• Drive operational excellence around uptime, security, and yield for assigned protocols.
• Work with internal protocol specialists and external protocol developer communities to understand network nuances, upcoming governance proposals, upgrades, and breaking changes.
• Participate in an on-call rotation for all protocols supported by Coinbase and be a go-to expert for Ethereum.
• Help onboard and coach junior engineers.

Requirements

• Strong background in blockchain and staking/validator operations (Ethereum emphasis in this role; familiarity with protocol upgrades and client changes is expected).
• Experience operating validators and proof-of-stake infrastructure at scale.
• Experience or familiarity with Kubernetes for running staking nodes (the team references operating staking nodes on Kubernetes).
• Experience with observability, monitoring, and operational tooling to ensure high uptime and performance.
• Experience with performance optimization (including database/local DB performance tuning) and systems-level engineering for distributed node fleets.
• Ability to drive cross-functional projects and influence product roadmaps.
• Willingness and ability to participate in on-call rotations and incident response.
• Mentorship experience to onboard and coach junior engineers.

Benefits

• Extended health care benefits (coordinates with provincial coverage)
• Dental, vision care
• Consult+ (virtual health care)
• Life & accident insurance
• Disability coverage
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Wellness stipend
• Mobile/internet reimbursement
• Connections stipend
• Learning and development allowance
• Employee assistance program
• Travel medical policy - global traveler
• Fertility benefits
• Generous time off / leave policy

Pay Transparency

• Target annual salary range for this position: $191,000 — $191,000 CAD. Full-time offers may also include target bonus, target equity, and benefits (medical, dental, vision).

Other Notes

• Coinbase is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. The role may pilot AI tools for initial screening or interview transcription as described in the posting.