Staff Software Engineer, Developer Infrastructure

About the Role

As a member of the Platform team, the successful candidate will be responsible for setting the technical direction for how Coinbase approaches testing and shipping software. This involves owning the systems that can turn testing into a speed advantage rather than a bottleneck. The role requires a deep understanding of distributed systems fundamentals, proficiency in languages like Go, and extensive experience in building and operating production software.

Given Coinbase's remote-first approach, with periodic in-person working sessions, the ideal candidate must be comfortable working in a remote environment but also be able to collaborate intensely during these in-person sessions. The company's culture values intensity, high standards, and a refusal to settle for mediocrity, making this role suitable for individuals who thrive in challenging, fast-paced environments.

What You Will Do

• Define and own the technical strategy for test infrastructure across Coinbase engineering, focusing on feedback speed as a core design constraint.
• Build and operate core test infrastructure services, including test orchestration, smart test selection, sharding, flaky-test detection, and test result analysis.
• Drive measurable improvements in test feedback speed and signal reliability, enabling engineers to ship with confidence and without reruns.
• Own systems end-to-end, including architecture, observability, SLOs, and on-call operations.
• Partner with engineering teams across Coinbase to identify bottlenecks and transform them into platform improvements.
• Mentor engineers, raise technical standards, and shape the organization's approach to test infrastructure.
• Utilize generative AI responsibly to maintain human oversight, delivering business-ready outputs and driving measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and effective implementation of test infrastructure strategies.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of test infrastructure and services.

What We Are Looking For

• 10+ years of experience in building and operating production software, with a strong background in distributed systems fundamentals.
• Proficiency in Go or a similar language, with experience in languages used in test infrastructure.
• A track record of defining and delivering technical strategy for foundational systems that other teams depend on.
• Deep experience in test infrastructure, including test execution at scale, flaky-test detection, test selection, sharding, or test result analysis.
• Proven experience operating reliable systems at scale using Kubernetes, AWS, GitHub Actions, Terraform, containers, and observability tooling such as Datadog.
• Demonstrated success in measuring platform impact through developer adoption and workflow improvements, with experience in building and maintaining SLOs and incident response processes.
• Ability to utilize generative AI responsibly, with a focus on delivering business-ready outputs and improving workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Strong mentoring and leadership skills, with the ability to raise technical standards and shape the organization's approach to test infrastructure.

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI-driven code generation and its implications for test infrastructure.
• Knowledge of cloud-based technologies and their application in scaling test infrastructure.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and their integration with test infrastructure.
• Participation in open-source projects related to test infrastructure or distributed systems.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary, with a focus on reflecting the candidate's experience and skills.
• Equity in Coinbase, providing a long-term incentive for contribution to the company's growth.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, ensuring the well-being of employees and their families.
• 401(k) plan, supporting long-term financial planning and retirement savings.
• Flexible PTO policy, allowing employees to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Remote stipend, supporting the setup and maintenance of a productive home workspace.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development, including training, mentorship, and participation in industry conferences.

• Develop a Strong Understanding of Test Infrastructure: Before applying, ensure you have a deep grasp of test infrastructure concepts, including test orchestration, smart test selection, and flaky-test detection.
• Highlight Leadership and Mentoring Experience: Given the role's emphasis on mentoring engineers and shaping technical standards, candidates should be prepared to provide specific examples of their leadership and mentoring experience.
• Showcase Experience with Distributed Systems: Emphasize any experience with distributed systems, including proficiency in languages like Go and experience with Kubernetes, AWS, or similar technologies.
• Prepare to Discuss AI-Driven Code Generation: Be ready to discuss how AI-driven code generation impacts test infrastructure and how you would approach utilizing generative AI responsibly in this context.
• Demonstrate Ability to Drive Technical Strategy: Come prepared to discuss your experience in defining and delivering technical strategy for foundational systems, including how you measure success and drive adoption.
• Research Coinbase's Culture and Values: Understand Coinbase's intense and high-standard culture, and be prepared to discuss how your work style and values align with the company's approach.
• Be Prepared for Technical Interviews: Technical interviews at Coinbase can be challenging; prepare by reviewing distributed systems, test infrastructure, and relevant technologies, and be ready to solve problems on a whiteboard or through coding challenges.