Staff Software Engineer, Solana Staking Protocol

About the Role

The successful candidate will own the technical strategy across validator operations, staking integrations, and protocol evolution, partnering directly with engineering leadership, product teams, and external ecosystem players. You will represent Coinbase on the world stage as a recognized Solana expert, speaking at conferences and influencing protocol direction. Internally, you will be the go-to expert for any Solana staking technical decision, from runtime-level optimizations to cross-product integration strategy.

Coinbase operates one of the largest Solana staking operations in the world, managing a validator fleet that represents approximately 9.25% of all staked SOL. The company is committed to delivering industry-leading, risk-adjusted yield with world-class security, compliance, and reliability. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will play a critical role in achieving this mission.

What You Will Do

• Define and drive Coinbase's multi-year technical strategy for Solana staking across validator performance, protocol participation, and product integration
• Connect engineering decisions to business outcomes, including yield optimization, cost efficiency, and customer growth
• Lead the engineering effort to achieve industry-leading APY through validator optimization, including vote accuracy, block production, MEV strategies, commission tuning, and stake distribution
• Build systems and tooling that give Coinbase a durable performance edge
• Own and maintain Coinbase's protocol expertise, serving as the foremost authority on the Solana runtime, consensus mechanism, staking economics, and validator client landscape
• Evaluate protocol upgrades, assess risks, and proactively position Coinbase for changes before they land
• Drive cross-product integration, partnering with Retail Staking and Institutional Staking product and engineering teams to architect scalable staking integrations
• Represent Coinbase in the Solana ecosystem, maintaining deep relationships with the Solana Foundation, core development teams, other major validators, and ecosystem partners
• Speak at major conferences and co-author technical content to establish thought leadership

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on blockchain, distributed systems, or related fields
• Deep understanding of Solana protocol, including runtime, consensus mechanism, and staking economics
• Experience with validator operations, staking integrations, and protocol evolution
• Strong technical leadership skills, with the ability to drive technical strategy and own protocol expertise
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop creative solutions
• Experience with cloud-based infrastructure and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and version control systems (e.g., Git)

Nice to Have

• Experience with other blockchain protocols, such as Ethereum or Bitcoin
• Familiarity with smart contract development and decentralized application (dApp) architecture
• Knowledge of machine learning or artificial intelligence applications in blockchain
• Experience with security auditing and penetration testing
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and equity package
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible paid time off and remote work options
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Recognition and reward for outstanding performance
• Quarterly in-person working sessions (surges) for intense collaboration and team-building
• Access to a global network of professionals in the blockchain and fintech industries
• Flexible spending accounts for health and wellness expenses
• Employee assistance programs for mental health and wellness support

• To stand out in the application process, be prepared to provide specific examples of your experience with Solana protocol and staking economics.
• Make sure to highlight your technical leadership skills and ability to drive technical strategy.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with validator operations, staking integrations, and protocol evolution.
• Familiarize yourself with Coinbase's products and services, including Retail Staking and Institutional Staking.
• Be prepared to provide examples of your problem-solving skills and ability to analyze complex technical problems.
• Consider creating a personal project or contributing to open-source projects related to Solana or blockchain to demonstrate your skills and passion.