Software Engineer, Backend - Blockchain Platform (Tracer Team)

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. We want someone who is passionate about our mission and who believes in the power of crypto and blockchain technology to update the financial system. We want someone who is eager to leave their mark on the world, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to keep leveling up. We want someone who will run towards, not away from, solving the company's hardest problems.
Our work culture is intense and isn't for everyone. But if you want to build the future alongside others who excel in their disciplines and expect the same from you, there's no better place to be.
While many roles at Coinbase are remote-first, we are not remote-only. In-person participation is required throughout the year. Team and company-wide offsites are held multiple times annually to foster collaboration, connection, and alignment. Attendance is expected and fully supported.
The Tracer team safeguards Coinbase's role as the most trusted and compliant platform in crypto. We design and operate cutting-edge tools and systems that detect, investigate, and prevent illicit activity on the blockchain, protecting our customers and the broader crypto ecosystem. Harnessing a modern tech stack including Databricks, StarRocks, Postgres, Python, and AWS, we process and analyze massive blockchain datasets with speed and precision. Our mission-critical work is deeply collaborative with compliance and investigations teams and evolves rapidly to counter emerging threats. Looking ahead, we're exploring machine learning, graph databases, and advanced visualization to push the boundaries of blockchain forensics and stay ahead of bad actors.
What you'll be doing:

• The Tracer team builds tools and systems that enhance Coinbase's ability to detect, investigate, and prevent illicit activities on the blockchain. By leveraging advanced data engineering and software solutions, the team ensures Coinbase remains the most trusted and compliant platform in the crypto industry.
• Building and maintaining systems that help keep blockchains safe from criminal activities.
• Contributing to the development of tools and technologies that enhance compliance and investigative capabilities.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align on product and technical roadmaps.

What we look for in you:

• You have at least 2+ years of experience in software engineering.
• Proficiency in tools like Databricks, StarRocks, Postgres, and programming languages like Go, Scala, Python.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks
• You write high quality, well tested code to meet the needs of your customers.
• You're passionate about building an open financial system that brings the world together.
• Strong understanding of blockchain technology, compliance challenges, and investigative tools.
• Cross-functional collaboration, scalability, reliability, investigative mindset.

Nice to haves:

• You have at least 3+ years in data engineering, software engineering, or a related field, with a focus on compliance or security.
• You have gone through a rapid growth in your company (from startup to mid-size).
• You have experience with Blockchains (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum etc.)
• You have experience decomposing a large monolith into microservices.
• You've worked with Golang, Ruby, Docker, Sinatra, Rails, Postgres, MongoDB or Redshift.
• You've built financial, high reliability or security systems.
• You have Crypto-forward experience, including familiarity with onchain activity such as interacting with Ethereum addresses, using ENS, and engaging with dApps or blockchain-based services.

Job #: GPBE04US
*Answers to crypto-related questions may be used to evaluate your onchain experience.
#LI-Remote
Pay Transparency Notice: Depending on your work location, the target annual salary for this position can range as detailed below. Full time offers from Coinbase also include bonus eligibility + equity eligibility+ benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)).
Pay Range:
$152,405 - $179,300 USD
Please be advised that each candidate may submit a maximum of four applications within any 30-day period. We encourage you to carefully evaluate how your skills and interests align with Coinbase's roles before applying.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity
Coinbase is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by applicable law. Coinbase will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. For US applicants, you may view the Employee Rights and the Know Your Rights notices by clicking on their corresponding links. Additionally, Coinbase participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.
Coinbase is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at accommodations[at]coinbase.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. For quick access to screen reading technology compatible with this site click here to download a free compatible screen reader (free step by step tutorial can be found here) .
Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates and Applicants
Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here . By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required. For US applicants only, by submitting your application you are agreeing to arbitration of disputes as outlined here.
AI Disclosure
For select roles, Coinbase is piloting an AI tool based on machine learning technologies to conduct initial screening interviews to qualified applicants. The tool simulates realistic interview scenarios and engages in dynamic conversation. A human recruiter will review your interview responses, provided in the form of a voice recording and/or transcript, to assess them against the qualifications and characteristics outlined in the job description.
For select roles, Coinbase is also piloting an AI interview intelligence platform to transcribe and summarize interview notes, allowing our interviewers to fully focus on you as the candidate.
The above pilots are for testing purposes and Coinbase will not use AI to make decisions impacting employment . To request a reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact accommodations[at]coinbase.com