At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and scale data systems that power immersive sports experiences for fans worldwide.
- Company: Join Genius Sports, a leader in innovative sports technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and a focus on employee wellbeing.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Lead impactful data initiatives and mentor the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in distributed systems and a passion for technical excellence.
The predicted salary is between 135000 - 165000 £ per year.
By bringing together next-gen technology and the finest live data available, Genius Sports is enabling a new era of sports for fans worldwide, delivering experiences that are more immersive, interactive and personalized than ever before.
The Role - Senior Software Engineer, Data Platform
We’re looking for a Senior Data Platform Engineer to help design and scale the foundational systems that power our data ecosystem. In this role, you’ll lead the architecture and modernization of our data infrastructure, enabling teams across the organization to discover, access, and act on data quickly, reliably, and securely. You’ll drive large-scale platform initiatives from concept to production, make thoughtful architectural tradeoffs, and partner closely with product and cross-functional stakeholders to shape engineering direction. This is a highly technical leadership role ideal for someone with deep experience in distributed systems, modern data lakehouse and streaming architectures, and large-scale data operations - who is also passionate about mentorship, technical excellence, and building systems that have meaningful business impact.
What You’ll Do
- Design, build, and maintain the Data Platform's foundational systems and features that enable internal teams to discover, access, and act on data quickly, reliably, and securely.
- Drive the modernization of our data infrastructure, navigating technical complexity and making sound architectural tradeoffs to strengthen our foundation and increase organizational productivity.
- Serve as a technical leader for large-scale Data Platform initiatives, driving architectural decisions and shaping engineering direction in close partnership with product and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Provide technical mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers, upskilling the team and preparing them to take on greater responsibilities.
- Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends in data systems and platform development.
Qualifications
- A proven track record, with 5+ years of hands‑on experience in architecting distributed system architecture, guiding projects from initial ideation to successful production deployment.
- A product‑minded approach—you understand how our software impacts user experience and business outcomes.
- Demonstrated mentorship and leadership experience, growing engineers and fostering a culture of technical excellence.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence across teams.
- Broad expertise across the data systems engineering landscape, with deep experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Hands‑on experience designing and operating modern data lakehouse and warehouse systems (Iceberg, Trino, BigQuery, StarRocks, Citus).
- Expertise in distributed data processing and streaming architectures, including Spark, Pulsar, Kafka, and Flink, with a strong understanding of batch vs. real‑time trade‑offs.
- Experience working with large-scale datasets, including performance tuning, cost optimization, and observability in production environments.
- Solid understanding of data modeling, schema evolution, and data quality practices in distributed data platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Rust.
- Prior experience as a tech lead driving the adoption of foundational organizational systems and achieving buy‑in from stakeholders.
- History of open source contribution, particularly in the data systems ecosystem.
The base salary range for this role is $180,000 - $220,000. There are a number of factors which affect what the specific pay offer would be for this role, including location, seniority, and relevant educational and working experience. This is base salary only – all full‑time roles will also be eligible to take part in Genius benefits and some roles may be eligible to take part in a variable compensation plan. For more details on the compensation and benefits package, please get in touch with our Talent team.
We enjoy an office-first culture and maximize opportunities to collaborate, connect and learn together. Our hybrid working models differ depending on your role and location. Occasional travel may be required. As well as a competitive salary and range of benefits, we’re committed to supporting employee wellbeing and helping you grow your skills, experience and career.
One team, being brave, driving change. We strive to create an inclusive working environment, where everyone feels a sense of belonging and the ability to make a difference. Let us know when you apply if you need any assistance during the recruiting process due to a disability.
Required skills: Performance Tuning, Distributed Systems, Kafka, Observability, Data Modeling, Data Lake.
Required languages: English.
Senior Data Platform Engineer - Modernize & Scale Data in London employer: Genius Sports
Genius Sports is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where innovation thrives and employees are empowered to grow their skills and careers. With a strong focus on mentorship and technical excellence, the company offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the data engineering field. Located in a vibrant environment, Genius Sports encourages a hybrid working model that maximises opportunities for connection and learning among teams.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Platform Engineer - Modernize & Scale Data in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to data platforms and distributed systems. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical concepts and common questions in the data engineering space. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format and types of questions you might face.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Genius Sports.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Platform Engineer - Modernize & Scale Data in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Data Platform Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with distributed systems and data architectures, as well as any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about data platforms and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Share specific examples of projects where you've driven architectural decisions or mentored others.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical expertise in your application. Mention your experience with modern data lakehouse systems and distributed data processing tools like Spark and Kafka, as these are key to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Genius Sports
✨Know Your Data Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and modern data lakehouse architectures. Be ready to discuss specific technologies like Kafka, Spark, and Iceberg, and how you've used them in past projects. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but have hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Data Platform Engineer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've guided teams or influenced architectural decisions in previous roles. Highlight any mentorship experiences and how they contributed to team success.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Demonstrate a product-minded approach by discussing how your technical decisions have positively impacted user experience and business outcomes. Be ready to connect your technical expertise with real-world applications, showing that you understand the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face technical questions or challenges during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process when making architectural trade-offs or solving complex problems. This will help you convey your problem-solving skills and technical depth effectively.
