Senior/Staff Software Engineer, Backend – Picks, DFS & Prediction Markets

Sleeper

. Build and own core Sleeper Picks systems end to end, including contest and entry lifecycle, pricing and market data, settlement and grading, wallet and ledger, eligibility, and compliance .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • United StatesSenior💰 $180,000 - $300,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in backend engineering with a focus on building and operating scalable systems for consumer products, including real-money gaming and trading applications. Proficient in system architecture, distributed systems, and integrating third-party services while ensuring compliance and auditability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Backend Engineering ExperienceDistributed Systems KnowledgeProficiency in Elixir, Go, Java, Python, Rust, or NodeExperience with Real-Money SystemsSystem Architecture Ownership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Backend EngineeringDistributed SystemsData ModelingReal-Time UpdatesConcurrency ManagementError HandlingFeature ShippingSystem ArchitectureAuditabilitySettlement Logic

Soft Skills

Technical Decision-MakingCommunication

Tools & Technologies

APIsPayment SystemsMarket Data IntegrationThird-Party Providers

Industry Keywords

Real-Money GamingDFSSportsbooksPrediction MarketsConsumer Products

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Distributed SystemsElixirJavaNode.jsPythonRustGo

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and own core Sleeper Picks systems end to end, including contest and entry lifecycle, pricing and market data, settlement and grading, wallet and ledger, eligibility, and compliance
Develop reconciliation, auditability, and settlement logic for real-money systems
Handle real-time price and position updates, entry surges before games, and settlement across the full game slate
Partner with risk and trading teams on exposure management and internal tooling
Integrate third-party projection, market, and payments providers and design for provider failures
Ship features end to end with designers and mobile and web engineers
At Staff level, own system architecture, improve design and code review standards, and help engineers ship at scale

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of backend engineering experience; 8+ years for Staff level
For Staff level, track record of owning architecture of systems at this scale
Experience building and operating consumer products with millions of users
Experience shipping features end to end, not only infrastructure
Experience with systems where errors cost money, such as payments, trading, marketplaces, ledgers, or real-money gaming, or equivalent rigor from another domain
Deep knowledge of distributed systems, including data modeling, caching, queues, real-time updates, and concurrent writes
Strong proficiency in at least one backend language: Elixir, Go, Java, Python, Rust, Node, or similar
Ability to explain technical decisions, alternatives, and individual contributions
Sports fan; experience with DFS, sportsbooks, or prediction markets is advantageous
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City
Must work hybrid
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k)
Generous PTO
Hybrid work policy
Opportunities for fast career growth
Competitive salary
Benefits including Medical, Dental, PTO, and 401k