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.
About the job
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
Go, Python, Node.js, Java, SQL, NoSQL, Kafka, RabbitMQ, Pub/Sub, REST APIs, GraphQL, AWS, GCP, Docker, Kubernetes
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