Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Java)

Teamworks is investing in the modernization of Athlete Management System (AMS), a core product within our Performance category. We’re hiring a Staff Software Engineer to accelerate the evolution of AMS’s legacy architecture and drive long-term technical improvements across the system.

This is a high-impact backend leadership role focused on modernizing Java services, improving database and API architecture, and guiding the transition to containerized and cloud-native infrastructure. You will partner closely with Engineering, Platform, and cross-product teams to define and execute a modernization strategy that improves performance, scalability, and maintainability.

Success means delivering architectural upgrades, improving system performance and security, influencing technical direction beyond AMS, and raising the engineering bar across the organization.

• Develop and execute a roadmap to modernize AMS’s backend architecture, including upgrading from Java 8 to a current LTS version 

• Identify and implement asynchronous workflows and contribute to containerization efforts within AWS environments 

• Remove deprecated code, eliminate unused dependencies, and modernize build systems

• Optimize API workflows and evolve database architecture, improving PostgreSQL performance and query efficiency 

• Partner with Platform Engineering to improve CI/CD, cloud infrastructure, and deployment workflows using tools such as Terraform, Kubernetes, and Ansible 

• Drive cross-product technical impact by influencing architecture decisions and mentoring engineers across teams

• Participate in an on-call rotation to support production systems, troubleshoot issues, and help maintain high system reliability and availability

Must-haves:

• 8+ years of professional backend engineering experience with demonstrated architectural ownership

• Strong proficiency in Java and experience and experience with at least one additional language such as Python, TypeScript, or C# 

• Deep experience working with legacy Java technologies and modernizing existing systems 

• Strong understanding of PostgreSQL, RESTful API design, and system performance optimization 

• Operational experience with AWS and infrastructure-as-code tooling such as Terraform, Kubernetes, or Ansible 

• Experience designing scalable distributed systems and leading system design discussions

• Ability to operate autonomously, influence technical direction, and collaborate across product lines

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience migrating monolithic architectures toward containerized or service-based systems

• Background in data-intensive or secure environments

• Experience contributing to security posture improvements and vulnerability remediation (e.g., reducing CVEs) 

• Advanced degree in Computer Science or related field

You enjoy tackling complex legacy systems and turning them into scalable, modern architectures. You think in systems, not just features, and you bring structure to ambiguous technical challenges. You take ownership of architectural decisions, communicate context clearly across teams, and balance long-term rigor with practical execution. You are energized by influencing engineering standards, mentoring others, and driving technical impact beyond your immediate team.

We're the Operating System for Sports™, powering 6,500+ organizations worldwide, from collegiate programs to every major pro league. Founded in 2006, we've evolved from a messaging tool for college football into the leading sports tech platform, with 500+ global teammates building the future of sports tech. Our solutions span Personnel, Coaching, Performance, Operations, and Intelligence - helping teams recruit smarter, train better, stay compliant, and win.
Teamworks is an equal opportunity employer - if you live our core values every day and are honest, hardworking, humble, committed, innovative, and an all-around exceptional person, you'll thrive at Teamworks. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and take affirmative action to not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected characteristics. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and training. Teamworks is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities who need assistance during the hiring process. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email [email protected].

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