---
title: 'Applied AI Engineer at Fanatics Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/applied-ai-engineer-fanatics-inc-new-york-8mekypfmaz6g'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-06'
---

# Applied AI Engineer at Fanatics Inc.

- **Company:** Fanatics Inc.
- **Location:** New York, NY
- **Compensation:** $150k–$200k
- **Posted:** 2026-10-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fanaticsinc/jobs/4457595009

## Job description

## About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

## The Role

Are you a builder who has already shipped AI that changed how a business runs? Fanatics wants you.

We're hiring full-time Applied AI Engineers to join a small, senior team that sits at the center of how Fanatics transforms itself with AI. Our goal is simple and ambitious: make Fanatics a faster, more automated company. Each Applied AI Engineer works like a tiger team: embed with a business function, find its biggest bottlenecks, replace slow, manual work with AI agents and workflows that actually run in production, then move on to the next challenge.

This is a doer's role, not an advisory one. You'll own problems end to end: define them, design the solution, build it, prove it works, and drive adoption. You'll have real autonomy, executive visibility, and a direct line to leadership, with joint reporting to the CFO and Corporate AI Transformation Lead.

We're looking for someone with prior experience doing applied AI work at a startup or fast-growing company, who is used to moving quickly with limited resources and is ready to bring that pace to a global brand.

## What You'll Do

- Embed within corporate functions across the business, find the workflows where AI can remove the most manual effort or unlock the most growth, fix them, then rotate to the next function.
- Design, build, and deploy production-grade agents and agentic workflows using frontier models (Claude, GPT, Gemini) and the modern agent stack: MCP servers, agent SDKs, orchestration tools, browser and computer use, and evals.
- Move fast: take a high-impact use case from concept to working solution in weeks, not quarters, and prove it with measurable results.
- Think in systems and bias toward solving the problem, not toward building for its own sake. Sometimes the right answer is a custom agent; sometimes it's configuring an existing tool.
- Partner with business leaders to be accountable for outcomes, and help them rethink how their teams operate in an AI-first way.
- Call balls and strikes: pressure-test whether a problem is worth automating, what "good" looks like, and how to measure ROI.
- Help set the bar for AI across the company, including tool evaluation, security and InfoSec coordination, governance, and best practices.
- Spread the practice: document and showcase wins, coach colleagues, and help build a company culture that automates by default.

## What We're Looking For

- 3+ years of experience in applied AI or software engineering, including time at a startup or fast-growing company where you shipped AI-powered products or automations to real users.
- A track record of building and deploying custom agents or agentic workflows with frontier LLMs that solved real business problems, not just prototypes.
- Fluency with the modern AI stack: LLM APIs, MCP, agent frameworks (Claude Agent SDK, OpenAI Agents SDK, LangGraph, or similar), prompt engineering, RAG, and evaluation methods.
- Strong coding skills (Python preferred) and the judgment to pick the right tool for the job, including buying or configuring instead of building.
- Comfort operating independently in ambiguity, with a high bar for speed, ownership, and follow-through.
- A strategic mindset paired with a "get it done" attitude; you can tell the difference between a cool demo and a business outcome.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to earn trust and drive change with senior business leaders.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, Software Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent practical experience welcome.
- Bonus points if you're a fan of sports, collectibles, or fandom culture (because we're a little obsessed).

## Why You'll Love It Here

- Real ownership of high-visibility problems, with exposure to every part of Fanatics and direct access to senior leadership.
- A chance to be part of a small, hand-picked team shaping how a global sports and collectibles company becomes AI-first.
- Backing for your work: dedicated headcount, budget, and executive sponsorship to get things done.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) plan with company match.
- Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and parental leave.
- Wellness benefits and a learning & development stipend.
- NYC office with daily in-person collaboration.
- Employee discount on Fanatics products and (yes) some sweet Fanatics swag.

Final Word If you've built AI that moved a business and you're ready to do it at global scale, let's talk. This is where the doers build. The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/

Salary Range $150,000—$200,000 USD

By submitting your application, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our [Candidate Privacy Policy.](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ff494b9931735466ce28d5b/t/69de53bde2c02c25e9c38758/1776178110037/Candidate+Privacy+Policy+April+2026.pdf)

Fanatics will never ask candidates for money, banking information, or other sensitive personal information as part of the interview process. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Fanatics recruiting, please do not respond and report it here.

## About Fanatics Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Fanatics is a leading global digital sports platform that enables fans to buy, bet, collect, and engage with their favorite teams, players, and moments through a unified ecosystem of commerce, collectibles, gaming, events, and media.
- **Entity Type**: Private (multiple funding rounds; last disclosed valuation of $31 billion in 2022 – not confirmed in provided sources)
- **Headquarters**: Jacksonville, Florida, USA (with major offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and over 80 global locations) [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/careers)
- **Founded**: Not publicly available in provided sources
- **Founders**: Michael Rubin [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Licensed sports merchandise, digital collectibles, sports betting & iGaming, live events, prediction markets, advertising, and content production.
- **Target Customers**: B2C (sports fans globally), B2B (leagues, teams, players’ associations, colleges, retail partners). Serves over 100 million fans and partners with 900+ sports properties and 6,000+ athletes/celebrities. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Mission Statement**: “Relentlessly enhancing the fan experience.” [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Fanatics Commerce**: Design, manufacture, and retail licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle apparel, headwear, and hardgoods across digital and physical channels (2,000+ retail locations including Lids). [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Collectibles**: Physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and digital assets (e.g., NFTs) for sports and entertainment properties. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Betting & Gaming**: Online sportsbook, iGaming (casino), and prediction market platforms for real-money wagering. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Markets**: A prediction markets platform allowing fans to forecast real-world sports, cultural, economic, and political events. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Fest**: Large-scale sports and collector fan events (live experiences). [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Advertising**: A sports media platform connecting brands with 100M+ fans through onsite and offsite media solutions. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Credit Card**: Co-branded credit card offering rewards tied to the Fanatics ecosystem. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics Studios**: A joint venture with OBB Media producing premium sports entertainment content. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
- **Fanatics ONE**: Loyalty program uniting all Fanatics experiences. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in provided sources (privately held; last reported valuation ~$31B in 2022)
- **Key Metric**: Over 100 million fans reached; 22,000+ employees (15,000+ full-time, 7,000 part-time/contractor); partnerships with 900+ sports properties and 6,000+ athletes. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/) | [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, NWSL), players’ associations, Mitchell & Ness, Lids, Boardroom (Kevin Durant), OBB Media. Investment history includes funds from Silver Lake, SoftBank, Fidelity, and others (not detailed in provided sources).
- **Growth Signals**: Rapid expansion into sports betting, iGaming, prediction markets, credit card services, advertising, and media production; launch of Fanatics Markets (prediction platform); growing loyalty program (Fanatics ONE); continuous retail footprint (2,000+ stores). [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertical Integration**: End-to-end control from product design and manufacturing to retail, digital platforms, and real-money gaming, creating a seamless fan experience.
- **Exclusive Licensing**: Deep, long-term partnerships with all major U.S. sports leagues, top player associations, and major colleges – barriers for competitors.
- **Massive Scale**: 100M+ fan reach, 22,000 employees, 2,000+ retail locations (including Lids), and global supply chain provide unmatched distribution and data.
- **Data-Driven Ecosystem**: Cross-platform data allows personalized offers, loyalty rewards, and targeted advertising across commerce, betting, and collectibles.
- **Diversified Revenue Streams**: Commerce, collectibles, betting, events, advertising, and financial services reduce reliance on any single segment.

## Strategic Focus
- **Integrated Ecosystem**: Connecting all fan touchpoints (buy, bet, collect, engage) to maximize lifetime value and reduce churn.
- **Technology Innovation**: Investing in AI, prediction markets, digital collectibles (blockchain), and real-time personalization.
- **Expansion into Financial Services**: Launching co-branded credit cards and financial products to deepen fan loyalty.
- **Global Growth**: Extending partnerships and operations internationally (80+ offices globally).
- **Media & Content**: Scaling Fanatics Studios to produce premium sports entertainment and leveraging advertising as a revenue engine. [fanaticsinc.com](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)

## Why Work Here
- **High-Performance Culture**: Fanatics emphasizes speed, intensity, and a “relentless” work ethic. The company seeks “high performers” who thrive in a fast-paced, no-offseason environment. [fanaticsinc.com/careers](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/careers)
- **Competitive Compensation**: Competitive pay, bonuses, equity (where eligible), robust 401(k) matching, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, and merchandise discounts. [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent)
- **Work-Life Balance Benefits**: Unlimited discretionary time-off, generous maternity/paternity leave, flexible schedules, remote/hybrid options available for certain roles (e.g., Privacy & Product Counsel REMOTE). [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent) | [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fanaticsinc)
- **Wellness & Health**: Comprehensive health coverage, mental health services, Wellhub (Gympass) access, fertility and adoption assistance, gender affirmation care.
- **Talent Development**: Fanatics University (FanU) for learning, mentoring, leadership coaching, and inclusive leadership programs for emerging female leaders. [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent)
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Strong focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA); employee-led FANs groups (AAPI, Black, PRIDE, Veterans, Women’s). 43% of US director+ are female; 45% ethnically diverse. [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent)
- **Awards**: Forbes America’s Dream Employers 2025, Fast Company 50 Most Innovative Companies, Front Office Sports Best Employer in Sports, Sports Business Journal Most Influential (Michael Rubin). [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent)
- **Office/Remote Policy**: Hybrid for many roles; some fully remote positions available. Over 80 offices globally including US hubs in Jacksonville, New York, Los Angeles, Tampa, and international in London, Hyderabad, Paris, Manchester. [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fanaticsinc) | [fanaticsinc.com/careers](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/careers)

## Sources
1. [fanaticsinc.com – Main About Page](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/)
2. [fanaticsinc.com/careers – Careers Page](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/careers)
3. [fanaticsinc.com/culture-talent – Culture & Talent Page](https://www.fanaticsinc.com/culture-tal

_…truncated._

## Other roles at Fanatics Inc.

- [Director, Talent Social Content](https://feeny.ai/job/director-talent-social-content-fanatics-inc-new-york-g0y5ygv94esz) — New York, NY
- [Director, Gift Card Program Management & Marketing](https://feeny.ai/job/director-gift-card-program-management-marketing-fanatics-inc-new-york-5jsy79xvg9br) — New York, NY
- [Staff Engineer, Payments - Core](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-payments-core-fanatics-inc-new-york-vntpe730vvkj) — New York, NY
- [Intern - NCAA GM](https://feeny.ai/job/intern-ncaa-gm-fanatics-inc-jacksonville-gzb71kpajxd3) — Jacksonville, FL / Norman OK, United States / Tampa, FL
- [Senior Software Engineering Manager (REMOTE)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineering-manager-remote-fanatics-inc-new-york-vpx1g9jv9kq8) — New York, NY
- [Staff Engineer - Mobile/Kotlin (REMOTE)](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-mobile-kotlin-remote-fanatics-inc-new-york-m5ar6jvc07v0) — New York, NY
- [Senior Staff Engineer - Mobile/Kotlin  (REMOTE)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-engineer-mobile-kotlin-remote-fanatics-inc-new-york-13crsfnshp0s) — New York, NY
- [Staff Engineer - Backend/Kotlin (REMOTE)](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-backend-kotlin-remote-fanatics-inc-new-york-f05pcpw0ccnm) — New York, NY
- [Senior Software Engineer - Backend/Kotlin (REMOTE)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-backend-kotlin-remote-fanatics-inc-new-york-dcdacsdnk29c) — New York, NY
- [Software Engineering Manager (REMOTE)](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineering-manager-remote-fanatics-inc-new-york-1d940pg33hzw) — New York, NY