Senior Lead Software Engineer at DraftKings

London, England, United Kingdom

DraftKings Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Technology, Gaming, AIIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or any suitable combination of education, experience, and training
  • At least 7 years of experience in backend software development using languages such as C#, Java, or Python
  • Proven ability to design, build, and scale distributed systems in cloud environments such as AWS or GCP
  • Hands-on experience integrating AI or ML models into production systems, including building data pipelines and model monitoring frameworks
  • Familiarity with reinforcement learning concepts or other adaptive system design (plus, not required)
  • Strong understanding of APIs, event-driven systems, and scalable service architectures
  • Deep knowledge of implementing testing, observability, and performance optimization for high-scale systems
  • Demonstrated leadership in setting technical direction, conducting design reviews, and guiding architectural decisions
  • Proven track record of mentoring engineers and driving a culture of excellence and collaboration

Responsibilities

  • Architect, develop, and maintain scalable, secure systems and APIs that integrate AI-driven functionality into high-traffic, real-time customer experiences
  • Lead end-to-end development, from designing backend architecture to guiding implementation across engineering and data teams
  • Build and maintain robust data pipelines that support model training, inference, and performance monitoring
  • Design frameworks to evaluate model quality and reliability in production, supporting safe rollout and continuous improvement
  • Collaborate with data scientists and ML engineers to translate model goals into scalable backend systems
  • Lead by example by writing performant, maintainable, and well-tested code while enforcing engineering best practices
  • Act as a technical lead for critical services, triaging and resolving production issues with urgency and accountability
  • Partner cross-functionally with Product, Design, and Data Science teams to align backend architecture with long-term business and AI strategy
  • Mentor engineers across multiple teams, fostering technical growth and a culture of ownership and continuous learning
  • Stay informed on emerging AI infrastructure trends and bring practical, production-ready improvements into the platform

Skills

Backend Development
System Architecture
APIs
Data Pipelines
AI Integration
ML Model Evaluation
Real-time Systems
Scalable Systems
Secure Systems
Performance Optimization
Unit Testing
Mentoring
Technical Leadership

DraftKings

Online platform for fantasy sports and betting

About DraftKings

DraftKings operates in the online gaming and entertainment industry, focusing on daily fantasy sports, sports betting, and online casino games. Users can engage in daily fantasy sports contests for cash prizes, place bets on various sports events, and play casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker. The platform also includes a marketplace for digital collectibles, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade NFTs of celebrities. DraftKings ensures compliance with gaming regulations, providing a secure environment for its users. Unlike many competitors, DraftKings offers a diverse range of gaming options and revenue streams, attracting a wide audience of sports fans, gamblers, and digital collectors. The company's goal is to create a comprehensive and safe platform for users to enjoy various gaming activities and digital asset trading.

Boston, MassachusettsHeadquarters
2012Year Founded
$911.4MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Crypto & Web3, GamingIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Performance Bonus
Company Equity

Risks

Class action lawsuit for alleged unlawful account termination could damage reputation.
Accusations of collusion with FanDuel may lead to antitrust investigations.
Sportsbook+ in New York may face regulatory scrutiny over its subscription model.

Differentiation

DraftKings offers a unique combination of fantasy sports, sports betting, and online casino games.
The company has ventured into the NFT market, expanding its digital collectibles offerings.
DraftKings ensures a secure gaming environment through compliance with gaming authorities.

Upsides

Partnership with Delta Air Lines could open new revenue streams through in-flight gaming.
Launch of Sportsbook+ in New York offers enhanced odds, attracting more subscribers.
Entry into the NFT market taps into the growing digital collectibles trend.

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