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Staff Software Engineer

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Team

Fanatics Collect is a technology company dedicated to revolutionizing the world of collectibles. Every single day our team of experienced product leaders, creative thinkers, and operators obsesses over how to create the ultimate collector experience - from developing the most fun and entertaining live shopping experience with Fanatics Live, to building the most trusted and dynamic collector focused marketplace with PWCC (acquired in May 2023).

We have the unique advantage of being backed by Fanatics - the world's largest sports merchandiser, with more than 900 global sports relationships, 90+ million reachable fans, and exclusive licensing deals with the MLB, NFL, and NBA among many others - but we're a small, nimble, ambitious team building products from the ground up.

If you're passionate about building world class products and share our love for sports fans and collectors, Fanatics Collect offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic team creating the future of collecting.

Role Summary

As a Staff Software Engineer at Fanatics Live, you'll play a critical role in setting architectural direction, designing scalable systems, and driving technical excellence across our engineering org. You'll lead initiatives that elevate team velocity, reduce technical debt, and build the backbone of an intelligent platform—leveraging AI/ML to optimize workflows, enhance product experiences, and automate operational tasks.

We're seeking engineers who thrive in ambiguity, move with urgency, and bring creativity to every layer of the stack. You'll act as a multiplier across teams, mentoring engineers, guiding design reviews, and driving technical vision that aligns with our mission to deliver magical fan experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Lead design and implementation of highly available, scalable systems for real-time commerce, streaming, and marketplace features
Drive AI-first solutions to improve developer workflows (e.g., CI/CD, testing), automate repetitive tasks, and optimize personalization and fraud detection
Partner with product, design, and data science to translate business problems into elegant technical solutions
Set and uphold engineering best practices around testing, observability, and code quality
Influence technical direction across teams and mentor senior engineers and tech leads
Own end-to-end delivery of strategic projects with broad business impact
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to shape long-term technical roadmaps

Code-Writing Contribution
This is a hands-on role. Staff Engineers are expected to consistently write and review production-grade code, particularly for high-risk or foundational components. Code-writing should demonstrate systems-level thinking, be coupled with deep design rationale, and serve as a model for quality and performance expectations across the org.

Required Qualifications

8+ years of professional software development experience, with evidence of technical leadership
Deep expertise in backend development (e.g., Python, Go, or similar), distributed systems, and cloud-native architecture (preferably AWS)
Track record of applying AI/ML tools (e.g., LLMs, vector databases, workflow agents) in production systems
Demonstrated ability to influence architectural decisions and technical strategy across multiple teams
Strong collaboration skills and ability to mentor across experience levels

Preferred Attributes

Experience in real-time systems, streaming infrastructure, or marketplace platforms
Familiarity with tools like LangChain, OpenAI, Pinecone, or other AI development frameworks
Passion for sports, collectibles, and creating delightful user experiences
Bias for action, pragmatism, and comfort in fast-paced environments

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don't fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com). For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers

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