Backend Engineer (Java, API)
Role summary
Fanatics is seeking a Backend Engineer with 7+ years of experience to design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems for their flagship Fanatics App. This role involves working with Java/Kotlin and Spring, leveraging messaging technologies like Kafka, and understanding event-driven architectures and observability practices. The engineer will lead complex projects, mentor junior engineers, and drive engineering best practices within a high-growth, remote environment. Responsibilities include end-to-end technical execution, incident resolution, and collaborating with product and design teams to enhance the fan experience across e-commerce, gaming, and live events.
About The Company
Fanatics is a global leader in licensed sports merchandise, providing innovative digital experiences and e-commerce solutions for sports fans worldwide. Renowned for its dynamic approach to sports retail, Fanatics combines cutting-edge technology with a passion for sports to deliver exceptional customer experiences. The company operates across various platforms, including e-commerce, live events, and sports gaming, establishing itself as a pioneer in the sports merchandise industry. With a commitment to innovation, Fanatics continually invests in technological advancements and strategic partnerships to maintain its position at the forefront of the industry. The organization values diversity, collaboration, and a customer-first mindset, fostering a vibrant work environment where employees are empowered to drive impactful change.
About The Role
As a Backend Engineer at Fanatics, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining scalable and high-quality backend systems that enhance the overall customer experience. You will be responsible for the Fanatics App, a brand-forward application that integrates elements from various brands and business units, including sports games, live events, e-commerce, and new product experiences. Your work will directly influence the delivery of a new sports platform that aims to unify and innovate the way fans engage with sports content and merchandise. This role requires a strong technical background, leadership qualities, and a collaborative mindset to partner effectively with product, design, and cross-functional teams. You will lead complex projects from conception to deployment, ensuring the systems are reliable, scalable, and aligned with business objectives. Additionally, you will mentor fellow engineers, promote engineering best practices, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the team.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience building highly scalable, performant, and evolvable backend distributed systems
- Proficiency in Spring with Kotlin and/or Java
- Demonstrated ability to drive best practices in backend development and mentor others
- Expertise in messaging technologies such as Kafka, Kinesis, Flink, or Amazon SQS
- Solid understanding of event-driven architectures
- Knowledge of observability practices, including logging, monitoring, and tracing in distributed systems
- Experience in Agile software delivery methodologies
- Strong communication skills for conveying complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
- Team-oriented mentality with a proactive approach to problem-solving
- Ability to thrive in a high-growth environment with evolving priorities
Responsibilities
- Drive the development, testing, documentation, and deployment of high-quality, scalable software into production
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the industry, product, architecture, and roadmap to influence team strategy and organizational direction
- Lead the end-to-end technical execution of complex features and systems from ideation to deployment and refinement
- Define and enforce engineering principles, guidelines, and best practices across teams
- Partner closely with product, design, and other stakeholders to make high-impact technical decisions aligned with business goals and scalability
- Lead incident resolution efforts, ensuring swift diagnosis and remediation of critical software issues
- Conduct root-cause analysis and triage of reliability issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams
- Contribute to engineering excellence through documentation, tooling, code reviews, and knowledge sharing
- Steer team planning and design discussions, introducing innovative solutions to technical challenges
- Champion improvements in software quality, testability, operational metrics, and team documentation
- Mentor and coach engineers at all levels, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth
- Occasionally travel to Fanatics offices and events for conferences, meetings, and team-building activities
Benefits
- Competitive salary range of $180,000 to $237,500, based on experience and qualifications
- Potential for short-term and long-term incentive compensation
- Remote work flexibility with a home office setup stipend available for eligible employees
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth within a global organization
- Access to cutting-edge technology and innovative projects in the sports and entertainment industry
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity and teamwork
- Participation in industry conferences, events, and team-building activities
Equal Opportunity
Fanatics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe in fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective success.