Senior Data Protection Engineer

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.

We are looking for a Senior Data Protection Engineer to lead and expand our data protection capabilities, ensuring the Coinbase ecosystem remains resilient against sophisticated security threats. You will be responsible for executing a long-term strategy that balances robust security controls with the speed of a decentralized tech environment. You will leverage an automation-first mindset, utilizing LLMs and agentic AI to build scalable, next-gen Data Loss Prevention operations while collaborating cross-functionally to mitigate risk and ensure global regulatory compliance.

What you’ll be doing (ie. job duties):

• Lead and expand data loss prevention capabilities to protect Coinbase ecosystem from sophisticated data security incidents
• Execute the long term strategy for the Data prevention program to harden security posture against data security threats
• Evaluate and direct complex designs/controls across a decentralized tech environment to promote security without impeding the speed of business
• Implement and deploy DLP tools and technologies in concert with cross functional teams (ie. endpoint security, information technology, and others)
• Enhance operational efficiency across a wide array of DLP Engineering & Operations leveraging LLMs and agentic AI
• Bring an automation first mindset to champion and drive a more streamlined and scalable approach towards DLP operations
• Produce quantitative and qualitative metrics to apprise Data Protection Leadership of programmatic impact and challenges
• Collaborate across Security and Privacy Teams and lead cross functional data protection initiatives
• You’ll lead a culture of excellence by mentoring peers and share knowledge
• You’ll collaborate with cross functional teams like engineering, product development, compliance to ensure timely remediation
• Work in concert with risk teams to measure control effectiveness and address changes in laws/regulations globally

What we look for in you (ie. job requirements):

• You are an experienced security engineering the data protection space who can deliver measurable results
• You have the technical acumen to solve operational issues with an engineering solution
• You have direct experience testing, tuning, and implementing data loss prevention controls across multiple OS stack
• You are comfortable manipulating and orchestrating controls to address multiple operating systems (iOS / Chrome) and decentralized datasets
• You are adept at creating scalable processes, automating where possible, and leveraging ML/AI where feasible to maximize efficiency
• You can be trusted to be discreet and thoughtful while working  cross functionally to mitigate risk
• You are actively aware of the insider threat landscape, and understand the legal, regulatory, and ethical considerations of working with sensitive data across a global enterprise
• You have experience with Insider Threat technologies (such as Security Information Event Management - SIEM, User Behavioral Analytics - UBA, Data Loss Prevention - DLP) and an understanding of investigations and/or the intelligence cycle
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Other team members ask for your input to communicate clearly and concisely and you are comfortable composing briefs and assessments consumed by leadership
• You prefer to play as a team and are equally comfortable as the ‘novice’ or the ‘expert’
• Business acumen: Proven understanding of business dynamics, goals, and product strategy. Knowledge of how Security fits into Coinbase’s overall business.
• The ability to balance business needs, a sense of urgency, conflicting constraints, and shipping high quality and pragmatic solutions in a fast-moving and quickly-growing company.
• Demonstrates the ability to responsibly use generative AI tools and copilots (e.g., LibreChat, Gemini, Glean) in daily workflows, continuously learn as tools evolve, and apply human‑in‑the‑loop practices to deliver business‑ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, and quality.

Nice to haves:

• 5+ years of security engineering experience solving complex security challenges across enterprise-wide DLP Programs
• Solving operational problems leveraging engineering / automation first mindset
• Experience in Web3 and crypto forward organizations or traditional financial institutions

Job ID: P75878

Pay Transparency Notice: Depending on your work location, the target annual base salary for this position can range as detailed below. Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility and benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)).

Annual base salary range (excluding equity and bonus):: $180,370 USD - $212,200 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