Varsha Mahadevan’s interest in tech manifested at an early age. Growing up, she found joy in building software and diving into theoretical computer science. Her unwavering passion led her to pursue a bachelor of engineering and a master’s degree in computer science. Soon after completing her graduate education, she moved to Washington State to start her professional career at Microsoft, where she initially worked on the .NET team. A few years later, she joined the Windows Shell team and was tasked with helping develop Cortana, Microsoft’s AI-based personal assistant.
Mahadevan spent over a decade in Seattle, gaining valuable experience to accelerate her career. Following her tenure at Microsoft, she relocated to Bangalore, India, to accept a leadership role at an Indian fintech firm. As Associate Vice President of Engineering, Mahadevan built a foundational data platform that helped meet the organization’s business needs and drive organic growth results. When she was presented with the opportunity to join Coinbase, Mahadevan couldn’t resist.
“I was fascinated by blockchain technology; after reading the Bitcoin white paper, I was thoroughly convinced of its potential,” she says. “The chance to help build Coinbase’s presence in India was something I couldn’t pass up.”
Today, Mahadevan is the Senior Engineering Manager at the cryptocurrency exchange platform. She shares how she’s evolved as a leader, why she appreciates the remote-first culture at Coinbase, and advice for engineering candidates hoping to succeed in their tech careers.
Tell us about your career journey. What led to your job at Coinbase, and how did you know the company would be a good fit?
Having gained experience at a large tech company and a startup, I wanted to explore new technological frontiers. Coinbase’s mission to bring economic freedom resonated deeply with me, and the company’s status as a Nasdaq-listed public entity looking to establish a presence in Bangalore—India’s tech hub—was particularly appealing.
I was offered the opportunity to lead a machine learning team focused on natural language processing (NLP) solutions at Coinbase. This role represented the perfect marriage of two emerging technologies: blockchain and AI. The company’s remote-first approach has attracted talent from around the globe, offering me the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. I knew I would thrive in such an innovative, dynamic environment.
What are your core responsibilities as the Senior Engineering Manager leading the GenAI team at Coinbase? Why does this work continue to excite or inspire you?
As the head of GenAI platforms and solutions at Coinbase, I’m responsible for leveraging cutting-edge technology to benefit our customers and employees. I primarily focus on enhancing productivity, improving customer experience, and driving cost efficiency through automation. My teams are dedicated to building the GenAI platform and solutions across multiple functions within the company.
The advent of large language models (LLMs) presents an unprecedented opportunity to integrate these advancements into nearly every aspect of the company. My team and I are passionate about maximizing the benefits of GenAI for the organization, and we’re fervently working to achieve this goal. Continuous innovation and the ability to make a significant difference within the company keep me motivated and inspired.
You’ve been at Coinbase for nearly four years. How have you evolved or grown as a leader since joining the company, and what valuable lessons have you learned?
When I first joined Coinbase, I led a small team of 10 engineers focused on NLP-based solutions for customer support. Today, I oversee teams of over 40 engineers who are building GenAI as a paved-path platform.
Over the past three years, I’ve gained extensive experience managing globally distributed teams in a fully remote setup. I’ve also deepened my understanding of the crypto landscape and the Web3 developer community, learning what it takes to build products and find solutions that cater to these segments. Additionally, I’ve learned how to develop engineering solutions that can scale rapidly in response to the unpredictability of the crypto market.
Furthermore, I’ve honed my skills in planning and adapting technology solutions and product strategies in the ever-evolving landscape of GenAI. These experiences have significantly shaped my growth, enabling me to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
What’s one highlight of your career thus far at Coinbase, and why?
One key highlight has been establishing a deep partnership with the customer support function. A crucial aspect of Coinbase’s mission is reducing the barriers to entry for new users. Providing state-of-the-art customer support is essential to achieving this goal.
In close collaboration with the customer experience (CX) team, we’ve developed a wide range of AI products that have significantly increased automation compared to where we were three years ago. These solutions have enhanced the customer experience and saved money for the company.
I take immense pride in these achievements, as they demonstrate our ability to drive cost efficiencies while fostering strong interpersonal relationships through deep collaboration.
We understand that you’re based in India. What are some challenges of working at a remote-first company, and how does Coinbase ensure that all employees across the globe are set up to thrive?
Managing different time zones presents real challenges. Fortunately, Coinbase has implemented several fundamental strategies to address these hurdles:
- Distinct objectives: Each geographically colocated team is assigned distinct and core business problems to tackle. This allows teams within a specific region to work autonomously and cohesively.
- Clear communication: Recorded videos and written documentation help ensure clear, concise communication. These resources ensure that technical, nontechnical, and process changes always have a paper trail, making it easier for everyone to stay informed and aligned.
- In-person connection: The company facilitates numerous opportunities for in-person interactions to form connections, build relationships, and encourage collaboration.
These methods and initiatives are integral to Coinbase’s ethos and essential for successfully operating as a remote-first organization.
What are your favorite parts about Coinbase’s company culture? What are some specific aspects of Coinbase India that appeal to you?
Among Coinbase’s core tenets, three that particularly resonate with me are Clear Communication, Efficient Execution, and Acting Like an Owner. In the early days of establishing the company’s India hub, the tenet of Acting Like an Owner was incredibly liberating. It empowers all employees—regardless of their level or hierarchy—to identify problems and propose solutions.
Additionally, I’m inspired by the positive energy and enthusiasm of the Coinbase India team. They’re brimming with ideas and eager to explore new areas. This positive energy runs throughout the entire company. Coinbase seamlessly assimilates employees from across the globe into a unified culture. This dynamic environment is one of the many reasons I enjoy working at Coinbase.
How would you sell working at Coinbase to an engineering candidate?
If you’ve worked at a big tech company before, you’ll find Coinbase liberating because it moves much faster, allowing you to ship solutions more quickly. If you’ve worked at a small startup, Coinbase offers the best of both worlds by providing more engineering rigor.
And if those reasons haven’t convinced you, consider this: Crypto is one of the most cutting-edge and transformative technologies out there. At Coinbase, you can play a pivotal role in driving economic freedom. Additionally, as a remote-first company, Coinbase allows you to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry from the comfort of your chosen workspace. This unique combination of speed, rigor, innovation, and flexibility makes Coinbase an exceptional place to advance your engineering career.
What advice would you give to those hoping to join the Coinbase team? What makes a potential candidate stand out during the recruiting and interview process?
Know what value you would bring to the company. Highlight instances where you have proactively identified and solved problems. Make sure to understand and align with company culture. Clear and concise communication can’t be emphasized enough.
We’re always looking for individuals who are passionate about the crypto space. Staying updated on the latest developments in blockchain technology and showing genuine excitement about its transformative potential is a plus.
Finally, emphasize your adaptability and ability to thrive in a remote-first environment. Show that you can communicate and collaborate effectively with a globally distributed team, and you’ll be a strong candidate.
