Lead Software Engineer - Search & Relevance (REMOTE)

At DICK’S Sporting Goods, we believe in how positively sports can change lives. On our team, everyone plays a critical role in creating confidence and excitement by personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams.  We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, reflecting the communities we serve.

If you are ready to make a difference as part of the world’s greatest sports team, apply to join our team today!

OVERVIEW:

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Software Engineer to join our team. This role will focus on developing and optimizing our search and data processing systems, primarily using Elastic, Spring Framework, Kafka, event-driven processing and API’s. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in search technologies, distributed systems, and data processing.\

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain search and data processing systems using Elastic, Spring Framework, Kafka, event-driven processing and API’s.

• Optimize and scale search and data processing infrastructure to handle growing data volumes and user requests

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features

• Implement best practices for data indexing, search optimization, and data integrity

• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure high availability and reliability

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior team members

• Participate in code reviews and contribute to a high standard of code quality

• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to ensure our systems remain cutting-edge

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience

• Proven experience with Elasticsearch and other search technologies

• Strong proficiency in Java and experience with Java batch processing

• Hands-on experience with Kafka and distributed messaging systems

• Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles

• Experience with cloud platforms and infrastructure (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure)

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes, PCF, AKS), and microservices architecture

• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with other search technologies and frameworks

• Knowledge of NoSQL databases and data modeling

• Exposure to machine learning and data analytics

• Fluency with Agile/Scrum methodologies

Software Development

Drive development of existing software and contribute to development of new software by analyzing and identifying areas for modification and improvement. Develop software that is fast, secure and reliable to meet defined requirements.

Software Maintenance

Monitor, identify, and correct more complex software defects to maintain fully functioning software, leveraging the support and skill of more junior teammates.

Design and Conceptualization

Produce multiple concepts and prototypes to design digital products/services.

Technical Developments Recommendation

Research and suggest ways to optimize solutions to better meet user and/or business, performance, quality needs.

Software Roadmap

Drive maintenance road map to facilitate software development and ensure the development work is prioritized in line with business requirements.

Faults Diagnosis and Correction

Find root cause and resolution to limit and address issues promptly.

Work Scheduling and Allocation

Assign short-term work schedules to a team based on storyboarding/backlog in order to achieve expectations while following established timelines.

Ongoing Learning and Development

Develop own and more junior team member capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation where relevant to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.

Program/Portfolio Management Support

Contribute to work within an established program management plan to achieve specific goals.

Technical Persistence Layer/Legacy Database Design/Development

Guide and deliver the design distribution of basic database resources and provide physical modeling and design services to tune database solutions for optimum performance.

Functional/Technical Requirements

Support the collection functional requirements using document analysis and workflow analysis to express the requirements in terms of target user roles and goals.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES    

Tech Savvy

Anticipates and adopts innovations in business building digital and technology applications. For example, investigates technologies to learn some cutting edge best practices. Uses digital/social media to benefit the team and add value to the work being done; understands how to avoid misuse of these tools.

Courage

Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. For example, shares own ideas and points of view openly, regardless of potential criticism or risk; shows conviction when faced with adversity and challenges; raises difficult topics to be sure they are addressed.

Decision Quality

Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, knows when to act independently and when to escalate issues.

Integrates various inputs, decision criteria, and tradeoffs to make effective decisions. Typically makes good independent decisions.

Action Oriented

Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. For example, takes timely action on important or difficult issues. Identifies and pursues new opportunities that benefit the organization.

Collaborates

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

Instills Trust

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, demonstrates integrity, upholding professional codes of conduct. Instills trust by following through on agreements and commitments despite competing priorities and by being honest and straightforward.

Customer Focus

Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer centric solutions. For example, keeps in contact with customers to ensure problems are resolved, or to improve customer service. Studies customer feedback and emerging customer needs and uses these to determine some creative new ideas.

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred

• 8-10+ years of experience

• 7-12 months experience of generalist supervision of junior colleague