Coinbase Seeks Frontend Engineers for Accessible Developer Tools

October 24, 2024

Coinbase, a leader in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector, is actively seeking passionate Software Engineers to join its team, specifically focusing on frontend accessibility within the Developer Experience division. The company’s overarching objective in hiring for this role is to ensure that all Coinbase products adhere to the highest accessibility standards, making them usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. Accessibility at Coinbase goes beyond a mere compliance checkbox; it is a core value aimed at promoting economic freedom and inclusivity. The role of a Software Engineer in this division is pivotal to this mission, requiring candidates to bring both technical expertise and a sincere passion for the societal benefits of their work.

Coinbase’s Mission and Work Culture

Coinbase aims to expand global economic freedom through cutting-edge technology in blockchain and cryptocurrency. The company’s mission demands a high level of dedication, expertise, and a shared belief in the transformative power of these technologies. Employees are not just software engineers; they are contributors to a significant societal impact. The culture at Coinbase fosters innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. This ethos is reflected in their hiring criteria, which emphasize not just technical skills but also a commitment to the company’s broader mission. Coinbase places a high value on creating an environment where diverse perspectives contribute to groundbreaking solutions.

The emphasis on inclusivity is not just an internal policy but a core part of the company’s mission. Coinbase aims to create financial tools that serve a global audience, irrespective of their backgrounds or abilities. This inclusiveness extends to the workplace, where diverse teams work together to solve complex problems. By integrating these values into their daily operations, Coinbase ensures that its employees remain motivated and aligned with its broader goals. The company also invests in continuous learning and development, fostering a culture where employees can grow their skills while contributing to the mission.

Role Summary

The Frontend Accessibility Engineer is integral to Coinbase’s Developer Experience team. This role emphasizes building and enhancing tools, libraries, and frameworks to ensure Coinbase’s engineers can create high-quality, accessible applications efficiently. The focus is on making Coinbase’s products universally usable by developing and improving accessibility tooling and metrics. A significant part of the job involves developing components that adhere to the highest accessibility standards. The engineer will also provide support to cross-functional product teams to ensure inclusive user experiences. This position is ideal for engineers who are not only technically skilled but also passionate about making a difference in the world through accessible design.

Being part of the Developer Experience team means you’ll work on technologies that empower other engineers to deliver excellent user experiences. The tools and frameworks developed by this team are critical for maintaining the overall quality of Coinbase’s products. With a strong focus on accessibility, the role involves staying updated on the latest advancements in accessibility technology and integrating these innovations into the development pipeline. The engineer will have the opportunity to shape the accessibility strategy of the entire organization, making it a highly influential and fulfilling position.

Key Responsibilities

Tooling and Dashboards

Creating and enhancing tools that facilitate the development of accessible products is a primary responsibility. The engineer will develop dashboards to provide clear data on accessibility metrics, making it easier for other engineers to adopt best practices. The goal is to simplify and streamline the accessibility testing process, making it an integral part of the development lifecycle. Additionally, the engineer will work on expanding existing tools and introducing new technologies to address emerging challenges in accessibility. This involves staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field and integrating them into Coinbase’s development processes.

The creation of these tools and dashboards is not just a technical exercise but a cornerstone for fostering a culture of accessibility within Coinbase. By providing clear, actionable insights, the engineer helps other teams understand and implement accessibility best practices. This approach ensures that accessibility is considered at every stage of the development process, leading to more inclusive products. Furthermore, the engineer will have the opportunity to collaborate with various teams to identify and solve specific accessibility issues, making their work impactful and widely appreciated within the organization.

Component Development

Developing accessible components within Coinbase’s design system is another critical responsibility. This ensures consistency and high accessibility standards across all products. The engineer will collaborate with design teams to create components that are not only functional but also inclusive for all users, including those utilizing assistive technologies. This aspect of the role involves rigorous testing and iteration to maintain the highest standards. Engineers are expected to have a deep understanding of accessibility guidelines and how to implement them effectively in their work. This ensures that every user interaction is seamless and intuitive, regardless of their abilities.

In addition to component development, engineers are responsible for creating robust documentation and guidelines to ensure that teams across Coinbase can easily adopt and implement these components. This involves close collaboration with design and product teams to understand user needs and create solutions that meet these requirements. By focusing on accessibility from the ground up, the engineer helps ensure that all Coinbase products are built with inclusivity in mind. The work done in this area not only contributes to the usability of the products but also aligns with Coinbase’s mission to create tools that foster global economic freedom.

Support and Evangelism

Supporting critical product teams and promoting accessibility best practices within the organization are also key components of the role. This involves offering guidance and assistance to other engineers and product teams to ensure they understand and can implement accessibility standards. Moreover, the engineer will advocate for accessibility within the company, helping to foster a culture that values inclusivity. This may involve conducting training sessions, creating educational resources, and participating in company-wide initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of accessible design.

The role of an accessibility evangelist is vital for creating a cohesive strategy across all teams at Coinbase. By promoting the principles of accessible design, the engineer helps set a standard that others can follow. This advocacy extends beyond the products themselves, influencing the company’s overall approach to inclusivity. The engineer will likely engage in continuous learning and training, ensuring they remain at the forefront of accessibility best practices. Through this comprehensive support and advocacy, the engineer helps create an environment where accessibility is a shared responsibility and an ongoing commitment.

Qualifications and Experience

Technical Skills

Candidates need at least three years of software engineering experience, with a strong focus on React, React Native, semantic HTML, and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications). Proficiency in these technologies is essential for developing the frontend accessibility tools and components that Coinbase requires. Experience with assistive technologies like screen readers is also crucial. These skills ensure that the engineer can create products that are truly accessible. Additional technical expertise in backend technologies such as Golang, Docker, Sinatra, Ruby, Rails, Postgres, MongoDB, and Redshift is advantageous, enhancing the engineer’s ability to contribute to the broader development ecosystem.

The technical skills required for this role are comprehensive, emphasizing both frontend and some backend expertise. This combination allows the engineer to develop more integrated and effective accessibility solutions. A strong foundation in React and React Native ensures that the components and tools developed are robust and scalable. Furthermore, familiarity with backend technologies enables the engineer to collaborate more effectively with full-stack teams, ensuring that accessibility is considered at every layer of the application. This holistic approach ensures the creation of products that are not only functional but also inclusive and user-friendly.

Accessibility Expertise

Coinbase places a strong emphasis on accessibility, viewing it as more than just a compliance requirement but as a core value. Candidates must have a deep understanding of accessibility standards and user needs, enabling them to create solutions that are inclusive for all users. Experience with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and a proven track record of implementing these standards in previous projects are essential. This expertise ensures that Coinbase’s products are not only legally compliant but also genuinely usable by everyone, including those with disabilities.

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