Software Engineer (AI/LLM)
Role summary
Coinbase is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to be the technical lead for their Policies Platform. This role involves defining and executing the technical strategy for an AI-native, self-serve policy engine, impacting numerous engineering teams and services. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of experience in scalable systems, expertise in AI/LLM product development, and proficiency in Go, gRPC, and Kubernetes. Responsibilities include leading the platform's evolution, driving roadmap decisions, and collaborating across the organization to ensure adoption and compliance. This position offers a significant opportunity to shape critical infrastructure in the cryptocurrency and fintech space.
About The Company
Coinbase is a leading cryptocurrency exchange and financial technology platform committed to increasing economic freedom worldwide. With a mission to create an open financial system for the world, Coinbase leverages blockchain technology and crypto assets to redefine traditional financial services. The company fosters a dynamic, innovative work environment that attracts top talent dedicated to building the future of finance. Coinbase’s infrastructure supports millions of users globally, facilitating seamless, secure, and compliant digital asset transactions. The organization values transparency, integrity, and collaboration, striving to deliver cutting-edge solutions that empower individuals and institutions alike.
About The Role
We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer to serve as the technical anchor for the Policies Platform at Coinbase. This critical infrastructure team is responsible for policy management, decisioning, and authorization—core components that enable compliance and operational integrity across the platform. In this role, you will define and lead the technical strategy for the platform’s evolution, including the development of an AI-native, self-serve policy engine. Your expertise will guide the transition towards more scalable, reliable, and intelligent policy systems, impacting dozens of engineering teams and supporting over 20 domains and 40 dependent services. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of high-scale systems, AI integration, and cross-team collaboration, with a proven track record of delivering complex, high-stakes projects. This position offers an opportunity to shape foundational infrastructure that supports millions of requests per minute and to influence Coinbase’s long-term technical vision.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on scalable, high-availability systems
- Proven expertise in leading AI/LLM product development, including building AI agents, code generation tools, or developer-facing AI solutions
- Strong proficiency in Go, gRPC, Kubernetes, and service mesh architectures
- Experience in designing and implementing authorization and policy systems (e.g., OPA, Cedar, Zanzibar-inspired systems)
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-stakes environments
- Exceptional communication skills, capable of producing clear technical documentation and building cross-organizational consensus
- Experience with AI tools and copilots (e.g., LibreChat, Gemini, Glean) and applying human-in-the-loop practices
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance engineering within financial services or related sectors
- Experience influencing organizational change and driving platform adoption strategies
Responsibilities
- Own and define the technical strategy and architecture for the Policies Platform, including AI-native policy authoring and decisioning systems
- Lead the development of Policy Framework v2, edge authorization, and a self-serve developer experience
- Drive the platform’s roadmap, balancing speed, reliability, scalability, and compliance requirements
- Lead high-risk, high-ambiguity initiatives such as AI-powered impact simulations, compliance chatbots, and API gateway authorization embedding
- Secure cross-team alignment by collaborating with over 20 domain teams, legal, compliance, and engineering leadership to ensure platform adoption and standardization
- Establish engineering processes, code review standards, CI/CD pipelines, and quality practices for policy-as-code
- Mentor and elevate team capabilities through hands-on leadership and technical contributions
- Participate in organizational planning, including OKRs, technical prioritization, and long-term platform strategy
Benefits
- Competitive salary within the range of $218,025—$256,500 USD annually, commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching
- Equity options and performance-based bonuses
- Flexible remote work arrangements with mandatory in-person participation at San Francisco or New York City offices approximately once per week
- Regular team and company-wide offsites to foster collaboration and team cohesion
- Opportunities for professional growth and development in a pioneering industry
- Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies to enhance productivity and innovation
Equal Opportunity
Coinbase is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Coinbase also considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application and employment process. If you require an accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@coinbase.com. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to our mission of increasing economic freedom worldwide.
