Lead Software Engineer, Backend

DraftKings is seeking a Lead Software Engineer, Backend to architect and build scalable systems powering real-time experiences for millions of customers. The role involves leading a team, writing high-performance code, and collaborating cross-functionally to align engineering with business strategy.

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable and secure systems and APIs that power high-impact applications used by millions of users in a real-time, always-on environment.
• Take ownership of the full development lifecycle from shaping the architecture of new features to breaking down workstreams and guiding implementation.
• Lead by example, writing high-performance, well-tested code that meets our rigorous standards for reliability and scalability.
• Set and enforce best practices around code quality, design patterns, testing, and system performance.
• Triage, debug, and resolve complex issues in production environments, driving a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Design, and Engineering to align technical solutions with strategic business goals.
• Act as a technical mentor and coach, providing guidance and feedback that helps engineers grow and do their best work
• Play a critical role in shaping the team's roadmap and technical direction while fostering a strong engineering culture grounded in ownership and continuous learning.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• At least 5 years of experience in object-oriented backend development using languages such as C#, with advanced expertise in OOP principles, design patterns, and backend architecture.
• Proven ability to architect, build, and scale distributed systems in Cloud environments such as AWS or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Deep experience developing and maintaining comprehensive automated test suites, including unit, integration, and performance tests, to ensure system resilience and scalability.
• A strong track record of mentoring engineers, leading code and design reviews, and driving high-impact technical decisions across cross-functional teams.
• A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement, code quality, and driving engineering best practices across teams.
• Experience building high-performance, scalable distributed applications and microservices, with expertise in event streaming and non-relational databases such as MongoDB.
• Working knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and observability tools such as Datadog, along with a solid understanding of the full Software Development Life Cycle and strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.