Staff Software Engineer

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