Senior Staff Software Engineer, Data Platform

Senior Staff Software Engineer, Data PlatformJoin us in building the future of finance.Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you're ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.About the Team + RoleWe are building an elite team, applying frontier technologies to the world's biggest financial problems. We're looking for bold thinkers. Sharp problem-solvers. Builders who are wired to make an impact. Robinhood isn't a place for complacency, it's where ambitious people do the best work of their careers. We're a high-performing, fast-moving team with ethics at the center of everything we do. Expectations are high, and so are the rewards.The Data Platform organization builds and operates the systems that power how data is stored, moved, and consumed across Robinhood. This organization spans three core pillars: Storage (Postgres, DynamoDB, and caching systems), Streaming (real-time event infrastructure), and Data Lake (ingestion and compute systems built on Delta Lake). Together, these platforms support transactional workloads, real-time data processing, and large-scale analytics that are critical to Robinhood's products and operations. The team owns the full lifecycle of data—from low-latency order path systems to near real-time and batch analytics—serving millions of users and internal teams across the company.As a Senior Staff Software Engineer, you will serve as the technical lead across the Data Platform organization, shaping architecture and guiding execution across multiple teams. You'll work on complex distributed systems challenges such as database sharding and proxy architectures, real-time streaming and CDC systems, and large-scale data ingestion and compute platforms. You'll define and drive key technical bets, partner with engineering leaders to align platform capabilities with business needs, and lead 0?1 initiatives that introduce new capabilities across storage, streaming, and data systems. This is a rare opportunity to influence multiple critical systems at once while raising the technical bar across an entire organization!What You'll DoLead architectural direction across storage, streaming, and data lake platforms, connecting systems that handle transactional, real-time, and analytical workloadsDesign and guide implementation of distributed systems, including database sharding, proxy-based query routing, and real-time event processing pipelinesImprove data freshness and latency by evolving streaming and ingestion systems toward near real-time processing goalsPartner with engineering leaders and teams across Robinhood to define platform strategy, align roadmaps, and ensure systems meet reliability, scalability, and performance requirementsDrive 0?1 initiatives that introduce new platform capabilities, including next-generation streaming, CDC, and data processing systemsWhat You BringExtensive experience building and scaling distributed systems, with deep expertise in at least two of the following areas: storage systems, streaming platforms, or data lake / large-scale data processingStrong understanding of database systems such as PostgreSQL and/or DynamoDB, including replication, sharding, and performance optimizationExperience with streaming and event-driven architectures using technologies such as Kafka, Flink, or similar systemsFamiliarity with modern data platforms and compute engines such as Spark, Delta Lake, or equivalent large-scale data processing systemsProven ability to lead complex technical initiatives, define long-term architecture, and collaborate across multiple teamsWhat We OfferChallenging, high-impact work to grow your careerPerformance driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, equity ownership, and 401(k) matchingBest in class benefits to fuel your work, including 100% paid health insurance for employees with 90% coverage for dependentsLifestyle wallet - a highly flexible benefits spending account for wellness, learning, and moreEmployer-paid life & disability insurance, fertility benefits, and mental health benefitsTime off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, parental leave, and more!Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits. Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed and is aligned to one of 3 compensation zones. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.Base Pay Range:Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC)$264,000 - $310,000 USDZone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL)$264,000 - $310,000 USDZone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL)$264,000 - $310,000 USDClick here to learn more about our Total Rewards, which vary by region and entity.If our mission energizes you and you're ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application.Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.