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Kraken, one of the world's longest-standing crypto platforms (founded 2011, trusted by over 10 million users), is seeking a Head of Exchange Infrastructure to own the foundational layer underlying all Kraken products: the matching engine, core infrastructure, third-party custody, algo engine, and API engine.
Historically, Kraken grew as vertically integrated products, each with its own engine and APIs. This role consolidates them into a single, unified exchange stack serving every product and interface. You will lead a team of four to five product managers, partnered with an engineering manager, and are expected to stay close to the work while leveraging the team's independence.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own the product vision and roadmap for the exchange layer (matching engine, core infrastructure, custody, algo engine, API engine)
- Lead and grow a team of four to five product managers; set the bar for product craft across the layer
- Lead consolidation of multiple matching engines into one, starting with US derivatives, then international derivatives, then spot
- Build interface-agnostic platforms so every product team and interface can build on the same foundation
- Define and enforce success metrics (p99 latency, throughput, uptime, resiliency)
- Partner with engineering leaders to sequence migration without disrupting live markets
- Partner with Risk and Credit Infrastructure to enable unified account and trading across all products
- Anticipate industry shifts and shape the platform to stay ahead
- Align cross-functional teams (product, engineering, risk, compliance) around exchange strategy
This is a senior, independent team where you will own roadmaps and write specs yourself at times, not only review them. You will be a player-coach balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Senior product leader with experience in exchange, trading, or high-performance platforms
- Proven experience managing and developing product managers on a senior team capable of running independently
- Ability to set product vision and translate it into long-term roadmap
- Strong understanding of matching engine and market data architecture, and the tradeoffs low latency forces
- Experience building platforms for internal customers, with judgment to distinguish platforms from bespoke builds
- Excellent communication skills to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Passion for crypto markets, market structure, and next-generation infrastructure
NICE TO HAVES:
- Engineering background before transitioning to product; hands-on experience building or operating high-performance systems
- Experience across both spot and derivatives venues with understanding of market structure differences
- Time at a crypto exchange operating at comparable scale, volume, and uptime expectations
- Track record building platform roadmaps that interlock with adjacent product orgs
