Why Internal Growth Matters

After 11 years at DraftKings, Stanimir has built a one-of-a-kind career. He’s grown from a Trader to a QA Engineer, then jumped into the world of DBA, and ultimately has thrived as a Lead Software Engineer and a Campus Lead and Mentor. His journey reflects the power of internal growth, mentorship, and staying curious. In this interview, he shares how each chapter prepared him for the next, what inspires him to mentor others, and how he’s helping shape the future of DraftKings tech.

Your career spans more than a decade and multiple roles—how did each of these transitions shape your journey?

I have quite a story in the company. Back in the day, I started my journey as a Trader on our team in Plovdiv. I was looking for my first job after University, and as someone passionate about sports, trading seemed interesting and like a good start. As I got to know the company and the dynamics of the business, I realized this was a place where I wanted to grow my career. I took the first possible opportunity—to become part of the first Trading QA team.

One thing led to another, and as I got more into the work, I developed a passion for technology. So when an Academy for DBAs was launched, I was the first to apply. That led to my third role at DraftKings, joining the Production DB team. I spent around four years there and gained significant experience thanks to great mentors and the rapid expansion of the company at the time. I’ve always believed the only way to stay motivated is to keep taking on new challenges. 

Once the DBA job became part of my comfort zone, I started taking courses in new technologies. Inspired by the great atmosphere here, I decided to apply for a completely new role and joined the Software Development team as a Full Stack Developer. A couple of years later, in 2022, we brought back the tradition of creating our Software Engineering Program, which is part of the Global Campus Program, and I was excited to be involved—this time helping to organize it. Today, my team is made up of many of the graduates from that 2022 Campus Program.  It’s a pleasure to help these talented young people find their paths and grow professionally. It’s really inspiring to be part of this process again—this time in the shoes of the mentors I once looked up to.

What motivated you to explore so many different roles within DraftKings, and how did those experiences prepare you for your current position?

My philosophy has always been that if you want to keep up with life, you need to move forward. Even just to maintain your current level of proficiency, you need to keep learning to stay on top of the game. The feeling that you can make a difference—and the appreciation from colleagues when you're able to help—is one of my main motivators. My professional path started on the Trading team, and now we develop tools for our traders on the Trading Engineering team. Having that background gives me a unique ability to understand their needs and the importance of their requests. Now, as the “translator” of product requests into technical solutions, that experience plays a key role.

Looking back, how did moving across such diverse roles influence your understanding of the company and its culture?

Nobody can understand you better than someone who has been in your shoes. Knowing exactly why you're doing something—and what the positive impact will be—gives you a completely different perspective on your work. When you've worked across different teams and built real connections with people in each of them, you're not just working with colleagues anymore—you're working with friends.

What were some key lessons or challenges you encountered during your career evolution, and how did you overcome them?

Every time I switched roles, it was a challenge in one way or another. My biggest takeaway is that you can always succeed if you’re passionate about what you do. Sooner or later, hard work pays off—it just takes the right mindset and patience. Many people give up too early, but if you stay committed, the results will come.

I was lucky to be around the right people from the very beginning. There were times when I was more valuable in my previous role than in the one I was going for, but my managers backed me up and believed in me. That support is actually the main reason I’m still here more than a decade later—I’ve had the opportunity to grow inside the company.

How do you mentor others and inspire them to grow?

The best way to mentor is to lead by example. I try to show the participants in our Campus program how exciting our work is and how rewarding it can be if you put in the effort. Most of the people who join our Campus Program are just starting their careers, so we support them every step of the way. That can be demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Our experience shows that people who come through this program feel very connected to the company and are motivated to grow with us. It’s easy to inspire others to seek growth when they see a living example. Almost all of our leaders in Trading Engineering came from our Campus Program—and I’m no exception.

At DraftKings, The Crown Is Yours. How do you own the crown in your career?

When I look back at the innovations and changes we’ve achieved over the years, and how far we’ve come as a company, I feel proud to have played a part in so many meaningful projects. I’m very thankful to all the people I’ve worked alongside—we’ve achieved so much together. It’s incredibly motivating to solve long-standing problems using cutting-edge technology, especially as we continue to grow rapidly. That growth pushes us to keep innovating, which elevates all of us - that’s how we own The Crown.

Stanimir’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when you embrace change, lean into challenges, and grow alongside a team that believes in you. Ready to shape your own career story? Explore open roles at DraftKings and see where your path could lead.