Senior Lead Software Engineer

As a Senior Lead Software Engineer at DraftKings, you will be instrumental in architecting and developing large-scale backend systems for real-time, always-on applications. This role involves leading the full engineering lifecycle, guiding implementation, and mentoring developers. A key focus will be integrating AI capabilities into production systems, including building data pipelines, model evaluation frameworks, and ensuring scalable deployment of intelligent features. You will influence technical strategy and drive innovation.

Must Have

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable, secure systems and APIs integrating AI-driven functionality.
• Lead end-to-end development, from backend architecture design to guiding implementation.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines that support model training, inference, and performance monitoring.
• Design frameworks to evaluate model quality and reliability in production.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with reinforcement learning concepts or other adaptive system design.

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 large-scale backend systems that power real time, always-on applications used by millions. You'll lead with technical authority, own the full engineering lifecycle, guide implementation, and mentor a team of talented developers. Beyond core engineering, you'll play a key role in integrating AI capabilities into production systems, from building data pipelines and model evaluation frameworks to enabling safe, scalable deployment of intelligent features. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll influence technical strategy, shape the product roadmap, and drive innovation at scale.

What You'll Do

• 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.

What You'll Bring

• 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 is a plus, but 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.
• A proven track record of mentoring engineers and driving a culture of excellence and collaboration.

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.