As a Senior Staff Software Engineer at Robinhood, you will lead the technical direction of the Data Platform organization, focusing on complex distributed systems and data architecture. This role involves shaping the architecture and guiding execution across multiple teams, with an emphasis on real-time data processing and large-scale analytics. You will work on initiatives that enhance platform capabilities and ensure alignment with business needs. The position is based in Bellevue, WA, with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration to foster innovation and community.

• Extensive 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 processing.
• Strong understanding of database systems such as PostgreSQL and/or DynamoDB, including replication, sharding, and performance optimization.
• Experience with streaming and event-driven architectures using technologies such as Kafka, Flink, or similar systems.
• Familiarity with modern data platforms and compute engines such as Spark, Delta Lake, or equivalent large-scale data processing systems.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives, define long-term architecture, and collaborate across multiple teams.

• Lead architectural direction across storage, streaming, and data lake platforms, connecting systems that handle transactional, real-time, and analytical workloads.
• Design and guide implementation of distributed systems, including database sharding, proxy-based query routing, and real-time event processing pipelines.
• Improve data freshness and latency by evolving streaming and ingestion systems toward near real-time processing goals.
• Partner with engineering leaders and teams across Robinhood to define platform strategy, align roadmaps, and ensure systems meet reliability, scalability, and performance requirements.
• Drive 0→1 initiatives that introduce new platform capabilities, including next-generation streaming, CDC, and data processing systems.