Senior Backend Engineer - Quantitative Sports

Openkrill; United States; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/Remote work

Job summary

Hard Rock Digital is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to join our Quantitative Sports team. We’re building the next generation of our in‑house pricing engine—a low‑latency, high‑throughput system that powers live odds for millions of users.

You’ll own major architectural decisions, partner with quantitative analysts, and shape the core backend that drives our sportsbook. This is a high‑impact role with significant autonomy and real‑time engineering challenges.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of backend engineering experience.
• Deep proficiency in Python for production systems.
• Experience with low-latency, real-time, or high-throughput systems.
• Background in multi-feed ingestion architectures.
• Strong understanding of microservices and distributed systems.
• Experience deploying and operating systems in AWS.
• Familiarity with relational databases (Postgres, MySQL).
• Experience with analytical stores (Snowflake, ClickHouse).
• Strong knowledge of messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ).

Responsibilities

• Architect and build backend services that operate reliably under intense data and user load.
• Reduce system latency and optimize real-time performance across the pricing pipeline.
• Collaborate closely with quantitative developers to integrate models and pricing logic.
• Design and maintain ingestion pipelines for multiple live data feeds.
• Implement robust testing and monitoring to ensure system resilience.
• Build internal tools that support trading, operations, and analytics teams.
• Contribute to technical strategy and long-term platform evolution.
• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and engineering excellence.

Skills

Backend engineering

Python production systems

Low-latency systems

Multi-feed ingestion

Microservices & distributed systems

AWS deployment/ops

Postgres/MySQL

Snowflake/ClickHouse

Kafka/RabbitMQ

Cross-functional communication

Job description

What are we building?Hard Rock Digital is a fiercely focused team working to become the best online sportsbook, casino, and social gaming company in the world. We're building a deeply curious team with a passion for learning, operating, and building new products and technologies for millions of consumers. We're customer-obsessed - we care about each customer interaction, experience, behavior, and insight, and strive to ensure we're always acting authentically.

Rooted in the kindred spirits of Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hard Rock Digital taps a brand known the world over as the leader in gaming, entertainment, and hospitality. We're taking that foundation of success and bringing it to the digital space - ready to join us?

What's the position?We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join our Quantitative Sports team. We're building the next generation of our in-house pricing engine - a low-latency, high-throughput system that powers live odds for millions of users. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you'll own major architectural decisions, partner directly with quantitative analysts, and shape the core backend that drives our sportsbook. This is a high-impact role with significant autonomy. If you thrive in fast-moving environments and love solving complex real-time engineering challenges, you'll feel at home here.

What You'll Do

- Architect and build backend services that operate reliably under intense data and user load

- Reduce system latency and optimize real-time performance across the pricing pipeline

- Collaborate closely with quantitative developers to integrate models and pricing logic

- Design and maintain ingestion pipelines for multiple live data feeds

- Implement robust testing and monitoring to ensure system resilience

- Build internal tools that support trading, operations, and analytics teams

- Contribute to technical strategy and long-term platform evolution

- Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and engineering excellence

Core Requirements

- 8+ years of backend engineering experience

- Deep proficiency in Python for production systems

- Experience with low-latency, real-time, or high-throughput systems

- Background in multi-feed ingestion architectures

- Strong understanding of microservices and distributed systems

- Experience deploying and operating systems in AWS

- Familiarity with relational databases (Postgres, MySQL)

- Experience with analytical stores (Snowflake, ClickHouse)

- Strong knowledge of messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ)

- Excellent communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally

Bonus Points

- Experience with pricing engines, trading algorithms, or live odds generation

- Interest in sports and sport analytics

- Familiarity with game state feeds such-as Radar & Genius

- Prior hands-on experience in sportsbook platforms is highly desirable

Who you are

- Self-driven and comfortable owning large areas of the system

- Meticulous in your approach to testing, reliability, and performance

- Able to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment

- Excited by complex technical challenges and real-time systems

What's In It for You?We offer our employees more than just competitive compensation. Our team benefits include:

- Competitive pay and benefits.

- Flexible vacation allowance.

- A hybrid / remote working environment.

- Startup culture backed by a secure, global brand.

Roster of UniquesWe care deeply about every interaction our customers have with us, and trust and empower our staff to own and drive their experience. Our vision for our business and customers is built on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where regardless of background or beliefs you feel able to be authentic and bring all your talent into play. We want to celebrate you being you (we are an equal opportunity employer).