Senior Lead Software Engineer, Backend

DraftKings Inc.

7d•$160,700 - $200,900

About The Position

At DraftKings, AI is becoming an integral part of both our present and future, powering how work gets done today, guiding smarter decisions, and sparking bold ideas. It’s transforming how we enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and unlock new possibilities. Our teams are energized by innovation and readily embrace emerging technology. We’re not waiting for the future to arrive. We’re shaping it, one bold step at a time. To those who see AI as a driver of progress, come build the future together. The Crown Is Yours As a Senior Lead Software Engineer, you'll drive the architecture and development of high-scale systems that power real-time, always-on applications used by millions. You'll lead with technical authority, owning the entire engineering lifecycle, guiding implementation, and mentoring a team of talented developers. Working cross-functionally with Product, Design, and Engineering, you'll align technical execution with business priorities while fostering a culture grounded in accountability, quality, and continuous learning. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll influence the product roadmap, tackle complex scaling challenges, and shape the future of our engineering organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or any suitable combination of education, experience, and training
At least 7 years of experience in backend development using object-oriented programming languages such as C# or Java, with advanced proficiency in software architecture, OOP principles, and scalable system design
Expertise in designing and building distributed systems in cloud environments like AWS or Google Cloud Platform (GCP), with a strong understanding of modern cloud-native architectures
A track record of building resilient, high-performance systems backed by robust automated test coverage, including unit, integration, and performance tests
Demonstrated leadership in setting technical direction, conducting code and design reviews, and influencing architecture decisions across engineering teams
Experience mentoring engineers and creating an environment that fosters growth, learning, and high performance
A strong focus on engineering excellence, with a proactive approach to improving system reliability, scalability, and maintainability
Deep commitment to driving best practices in development processes, testing strategies, and system monitoring

Responsibilities

Architect, develop, and maintain scalable, secure systems and APIs that power real-time, always-on applications used by millions.
Own the full development lifecycle from shaping the architecture of new features to breaking down workstreams and guiding implementation across the team.
Lead by example, writing high-performance, well-tested code and setting the bar for reliability, scalability, and operational excellence.
Establish and uphold best practices in system design, code quality, testing strategies, and performance monitoring.
Act as a first responder for the systems your team owns by triaging, debugging, and resolving complex production issues with urgency and accountability.
Drive cross-functional collaboration with Product, Design, and Engineering to align technical execution with business priorities.
Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, providing the feedback, support, and guidance they need to grow and thrive.
Shape the technical roadmap, influence strategic decisions, and foster a culture of ownership, innovation, and continuous learning.