Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Consumer - Risk)

About the Role

The day-to-day responsibilities of this role will involve providing technical leadership for end-to-end projects, driving architectural decisions that shape Coinbase's risk detection and mitigation systems, and delivering complex features from inception through production. You will also be responsible for mentoring engineers, conducting rigorous code reviews, and championing engineering best practices across the codebase. Given the nature of the work, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, with excellent communication and problem-solving skills, is essential.

What You Will Do

• Lead the design and delivery of complex risk platform features end-to-end, from architecture through implementation, deployment, and monitoring, with stringent requirements for correctness, performance, and reliability.
• Drive architectural decisions that shape Coinbase's risk detection and mitigation systems, translating ambiguous business requirements into scalable working architectures that balance fraud prevention with user experience.
• Partner cross-functionally with Data Science, ML, Risk Analysts, Product, and Compliance teams to build proactive systems (real-time decisioning engines, model-driven fraud detection) and reactive solutions (incident response tooling, compliance-driven risk controls).
• Build AI-native risk systems that leverage fleets of agents to automate complex detection and response workflows, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention.
• Strengthen the team by mentoring engineers, conducting rigorous code reviews, writing technical design documents for complex systems, and championing engineering best practices across the codebase.
• Own system quality and operational excellence by proactively addressing technical debt, driving bug triaging, and leading incident response and post-mortems to ensure platform reliability.
• Collaborate with the product team to define and prioritize project requirements, ensuring that technical solutions align with business objectives.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation to ensure knowledge sharing and facilitate onboarding of new team members.

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years of backend software engineering experience with a track record of delivering complex, high-impact systems in production environments.
• Deep proficiency in backend languages (Go, Ruby, Python, or Java) with demonstrated experience designing distributed systems including microservices, event-driven architectures, and REST/GraphQL APIs.
• Proven ability to translate ambiguous requirements into clear technical plans and working architectures, driving technical clarity across engineering, product, and data science teams.
• Track record leading end-to-end projects with long-term impact, including scoping, design, implementation, monitoring, and mentoring other engineers through the process.
• Experience leading incident response, conducting post-mortems, and driving measurable operational improvements in high-availability systems.
• Utilization of generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles and practices, particularly in the context of fintech and cryptocurrency.

Nice to Have

• Experience with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and experience with serverless architectures.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices, with a focus on protecting against common web vulnerabilities.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and equity package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO policy and paid holidays.
• Access to professional development opportunities and education assistance.
• Remote work stipend and equipment budget.
• Quarterly in-person working sessions for team building and strategy alignment.
• Opportunity to work on high-impact projects that contribute to the growth and security of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

• Tip: Showcase your proficiency in backend languages and experience with distributed systems by providing specific examples from your previous projects.
• When applying, highlight your ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive architectural decisions, as these skills are highly valued in this role.
• Ensure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the job description, emphasizing your experience in risk management and detection.
• Prepare to discuss your approach to system quality and operational excellence, including how you handle technical debt and incident response.
• Be ready to explain your understanding of generative AI and how you would utilize it responsibly in a production environment.
• Keep your online profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, GitHub) up-to-date and professional, as these may be reviewed during the hiring process.