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SleeperSleeperSan Francisco, CA

Staff Software Engineer – Backend

Staff backend engineer architects scalable distributed systems for fantasy sports platform handling millions of concurrent users, builds core services for contests and real-time experiences, and mentors engineers. Requires 7+ years experience with backend languages, databases, cloud, and high-availability systems.

225k – 300k/yr
Hybrid7+ YOEBackend Engineering

About the role

What You’ll Do

  • Design and build core backend systems that power Sleeper's games and real-time user experiences—fantasy contests, Sleeper Picks, user profiles, leaderboards, and more.
  • Architect scalable, distributed systems capable of handling millions of concurrent users with low latency and high availability.
  • Lead backend initiatives from concept to deployment, ensuring clean interfaces, well-documented services, and resilient infrastructure.
  • Optimize system performance and proactively address bottlenecks through monitoring, profiling, and capacity planning.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, and frontend teams to deliver features that users love.
  • Mentor engineers, provide thoughtful code reviews, and shape backend engineering best practices and standards.
  • Drive innovation, technical direction, and team culture as a key engineering voice at the leadership level.

Who You Are

  • 7+ years of backend software engineering experience, including experience in staff-level or tech lead roles.
  • Proven ability to design and scale distributed systems that serve millions of users in real-time or gaming environments.
  • Strong proficiency in one or more backend languages (Go, Python, Node.js, Java), and an understanding of trade-offs between them.
  • Deep knowledge of databases (both SQL and NoSQL), caching strategies, and message queues (Kafka, RabbitMQ, Pub/Sub).
  • Comfortable designing and maintaining RESTful and/or GraphQL APIs, data models, and internal tooling.
  • Cloud experience (AWS, GCP, or similar), with familiarity with containers (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes a plus).
  • Strong product mindset—you care about the why, not just the how, and you build with users in mind.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills. You elevate your teammates and enjoy mentoring.

Bonus: Proficiency in Elixir Bonus: Passion for sports, gaming, or building multiplayer or real-time systems.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary ($225,000–$300,000/year not inclusive of stock options and benefits)
  • Equity
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Generous PTO and flexible remote work policy
  • Opportunities for fast career growth in a high-impact role

Skills

GoPythonNode.jsJavaSQLNoSQLKafkaRabbitMQPub/SubREST APIsGraphQLAWSGCPDockerKubernetes

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