Lead Data Platform Engineer

Lead Data Platform Engineer

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
National Geographic

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and operate a cutting-edge machine learning platform at DraftKings.
  • Company: Join a leading digital sports entertainment company shaping the future of gaming.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, global opportunities, and a culture of innovation.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with mentorship and career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI technology and make a real impact in sports entertainment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in data or infrastructure engineering with strong Python skills.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

At DraftKings, AI is becoming an integral part of both our present and future, powering how work gets done today, guiding smarter decisions, and sparking bold ideas. It’s transforming how we enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and unlock new possibilities. Our teams are energized by innovation and readily embrace emerging technology. We’re not waiting for the future to arrive – we’re shaping it, one bold step at a time.

DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company. We’re a publicly traded company headquartered in Boston, with offices around the globe, and we are committed to responsibly creating the world’s favorite games and betting experiences.

As a Lead Data Platform Engineer, you’ll design, build, and operate the machine learning platform and Databricks infrastructure that powers scalable, reliable data science at DraftKings. You’ll own the backbone that makes model development, training, and deployment fast, repeatable, and cost‑aware so teams can move from ideas to impact without friction.

What You’ll Do

  • Own and operate Databricks infrastructure with a focus on reliability, scalability, performance, and cost optimization.
  • Build and manage cloud infrastructure on Amazon Web Services using infrastructure‑as‑code tools like Terraform.
  • Author and review technical designs that enable scalable, automated, and reproducible machine learning workflows.
  • Partner closely with data scientists, data engineers, machine learning engineers, and infrastructure teams to align platform capabilities to real‑world needs.
  • Drive engineering initiatives from technical planning through delivery, production rollout, and long‑term maintenance.
  • Stay current on data platform and machine learning platform trends, applying best practices that improve platform efficiency, usability, and governance.
  • Coach and mentor teammates, raising the bar through strong technical feedback, thoughtful enablement, and shared ownership.

What You’ll Bring

  • At least 5 years of experience in machine learning platform, data platform, data engineering, or infrastructure engineering roles.
  • Hands‑on experience administering and operating Databricks in production environments.
  • Deep familiarity with infrastructure as code, including Terraform or Pulumi, and proven ability to manage change safely at scale.
  • Experience with AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, and continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines.
  • Strong Python skills and familiarity with machine learning tooling such as MLflow, pandas, and scikit‑learn.
  • A track record of owning complex systems end to end, including reliability improvements, incident follow‑up, and performance tuning.
  • Clear, confident communication skills, including strong technical documentation and the ability to align cross‑functional partners.

As a regulated gaming company, you may be required to obtain a gaming license issued by the appropriate state agency as a condition of employment. We’ll guide you through the process if this is relevant to your role.

Headquartered in Boston, with offices around the globe, we believe we can continue to define what it means to be a technology company in sports entertainment.

Lead Data Platform Engineer employer: National Geographic

DraftKings is an exceptional employer that thrives on innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where creativity and technology intersect. Located in the vibrant city of Boston, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth through mentorship and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that is shaping the future of digital sports entertainment and gaming.

National Geographic

Contact Details:

National Geographic Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Data Platform Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at DraftKings. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you've got a portfolio or projects that highlight your experience with Databricks or AWS, make sure to share them during interviews. It’s all about demonstrating what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python and machine learning tools. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Confidence is key!

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 being part of the DraftKings team.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Platform Engineer

Databricks
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Pulumi)
Cloud Infrastructure Management
Machine Learning Workflows
Python
MLflow

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Data Platform Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Databricks, AWS, and infrastructure as code. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for AI and how you can contribute to shaping the future at DraftKings. We love seeing candidates who are excited about innovation and technology.

Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Include links or descriptions of your work with machine learning platforms or cloud infrastructure. We appreciate seeing real-world applications of your skills.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at National Geographic

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Databricks, AWS, and Terraform. Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex systems and improved reliability or performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice explaining technical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand. You’ll likely need to align with cross-functional partners, so demonstrating clear communication will show you can bridge gaps between teams.

Stay Current with Industry Trends

Research the latest trends in data platforms and machine learning. Be prepared to discuss how you can apply best practices to improve efficiency and usability at DraftKings, showing that you’re proactive about staying ahead in the field.