Staff Blockchain Security Architect

Details

Ready to be pushed beyond what you think you’re capable of?

At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. It’s a massive, ambitious opportunity that demands the best of us, every day, as we build the emerging onchain platform — and with it, the future global financial system.

To achieve our mission, we’re seeking a very specific candidate passionate about crypto and blockchain technology. We want someone eager to leave their mark, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to improve.

Our work culture is intense but offers the opportunity to build the future with others who excel in their disciplines.

Security is a primary competency at Coinbase. The Security Team protects billions worth of digital assets daily. As Coinbase scales globally, the team scales using tooling, automation, and strategic growth.

The Blockchain Security (BlockSec) team secures funds and data from protocols to wallets. Coinbase enables customers to interface securely with blockchains, which have unique security considerations requiring deep expertise.

Onchain is the new online. The goal is to bring 1B+ people onchain securely with platforms and tools for exciting applications.

Protocol Security ensures the security of onchain development, partnering with product teams to keep users safe.

Responsibilities

• Identify gaps in security infrastructure and lead cross-functional efforts to address them.
• Perform security assessments, framework development, and threat modeling of blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and distributed ledger technologies.
• Advise software engineering teams on code and architecture for internal smart contract development.
• Collaborate with tooling teams to shape the roadmap and vision for internal blockchain security tools.
• Identify automation opportunities, deliver proofs of concept, and write detailed technical requirements.
• Investigate blockchain upgrades and novel innovations like zero-knowledge proofs and bleeding-edge protocols.
• Publish blogs and give talks internally and externally on vulnerabilities, incident investigations, and integration risks.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of blockchains, especially EVM chains, and a crypto-forward mindset.
• Extensive experience in architecture and threat modeling of security-critical backend crypto systems.
• Familiarity with threat models of crypto custodians, including vulnerabilities for custody systems.
• Knowledgeable about onchain activities such as blockchain explorers, funds tracing, bridging, DEXs, NFTs, smart contracts.
• Awareness of recent innovations like restaking and various Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).
• Leadership and mentorship abilities.
• Experience in cross-functional roles or team leadership.
• Excellent communication skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• 8+ years in blockchain, with at least 4 years in blockchain security.

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of security architecture of non-EVM blockchains.
• Deep understanding of cryptography such as zk-SNARKs, Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), and Multi-Party Computation (MPC).

Benefits

• Extended Health Care Benefit (coordinates with Provincial Coverage)
• Dental Care
• Vision Care
• Virtual Health Care (Consult+)
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Wellness Stipend
• Mobile/Internet Reimbursement
• Connections Stipend
• Learning and Development Allowance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Global Traveler Travel Medical Policy
• Fertility Benefits
• Generous Time Off/Leave Policy