As a Lead Software Engineer at DraftKings, you will guide the development of scalable backend systems that power intelligent, real-time experiences for millions of customers. You will architect robust solutions, write high-performance code, and lead a team committed to technical excellence. This role involves integrating data pipelines, model serving frameworks, and intelligent decision systems into the core platform, playing a key role in bringing applied AI into production. You will shape technical direction, mentor talent, and drive innovation at scale.

Must Have

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable and secure backend systems and APIs.
• Build and own data pipelines and orchestration systems for machine learning models.
• Design and implement frameworks for model evaluation, experimentation, and monitoring.
• Collaborate with data scientists and ML engineers to bring new model capabilities into production.
• Define and enforce engineering best practices.
• Take ownership of the full software development lifecycle.
• Lead by example, writing high-quality, well-tested, and performant code.
• Guide teams through complex technical decisions.
• 5+ years of experience in backend software development using C#, Java, or Python.
• Proven ability to architect, build, and scale distributed systems in cloud environments such as AWS or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Hands-on experience building or supporting systems that integrate machine learning models, data pipelines, or inference services.
• Strong foundation in designing APIs, microservices, and event-driven systems.
• Experience implementing robust monitoring, observability, and testing frameworks for high-scale services.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring engineers, driving architectural decisions, and maintaining high technical standards.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.

The Crown Is Yours

As a Lead Software Engineer, you’ll guide the development of scalable backend systems that power intelligent, real-time experiences for millions of customers. You’ll architect robust solutions, write high performance code, and lead a team committed to technical excellence. You’ll play a key role in bringing applied AI into production, integrating data pipelines, model serving frameworks, and intelligent decision systems into our core platform. This is a rare opportunity to lead with impact, shaping technical direction, mentoring talent, and driving innovation at scale.

What You’ll Do as Lead Software Engineer

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable and secure backend systems and APIs that deliver intelligent, data-driven functionality across a high-volume, always-on platform
• Build and own data pipelines and orchestration systems that support training, evaluating, and deploying machine learning models in production
• Design and implement frameworks for model evaluation, experimentation, and monitoring to ensure reliability and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with data scientists and ML engineers to bring new model capabilities into production systems efficiently and safely
• Define and enforce engineering best practices around experimentation, validation, and system observability
• Take ownership of the full software development lifecycle—from system design and architecture to implementation and operational excellence
• Lead by example, writing high-quality, well-tested, and performant code while guiding teams through complex technical decisions
• Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to align technical solutions with long-term business strategy
• Stay ahead of trends in AI infrastructure, data engineering, and large-scale backend design, and apply them pragmatically in production

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in backend software development using languages such as C#, Java, or Python
• Proven ability to architect, build, and scale distributed systems in cloud environments such as AWS or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Hands-on experience building or supporting systems that integrate machine learning models, data pipelines, or inference services
• Exposure to data or ML workflows, from building data pipelines to deploying or integrating ML models in production environments
• Strong foundation in designing APIs, microservices, and event-driven systems
• Experience implementing robust monitoring, observability, and testing frameworks for high-scale services
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring engineers, driving architectural decisions, and maintaining high technical standards
• A proactive mindset with a passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and delivering high-impact solutions
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or any suitable combination of education, experience, and training

#LI-SM1

Join Our Team

We’re a publicly traded (NASDAQ: DKNG) technology company headquartered in Boston. As a regulated gaming company, you may be required to obtain a gaming license issued by the appropriate state agency as a condition of employment. Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the process if this is relevant to your role.