Engineering Manager, Machine Learning

Etsy, Inc.•Brooklyn, NY

32d•Hybrid

About The Position

Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. We build, power, and evolve the tools and technologies that connect millions of entrepreneurs with millions of buyers around the world. As an Etsy Inc. employee, whether a team member of Etsy or Depop, you will tackle unique, meaningful, and large-scale problems alongside passionate coworkers, all the while making a rewarding impact and Keeping Commerce Human. We are looking for an Engineering Manager, Search Ranking to join our Search Relevance initiative at Etsy. You'll lead a talented team of engineers and applied scientists responsible for the ranking algorithms and systems that determine how hundreds of millions of unique listings are ordered for Etsy buyers. This team plays a pivotal role in defining and delivering Etsy's search experience - helping buyers find items they'll love by combining relevance, personalization, and marketplace value in every search result. The work directly contributes to Etsy's growth by driving better buyer engagement, higher conversion, and a healthier marketplace. As the Engineering Manager, you will provide technical direction, strategic focus, and people leadership - guiding your team through iterative experimentation, learning from data and outcomes, and delivering high-impact improvements to Etsy's search ecosystem. This is a full-time position reporting to the Director of Engineering. In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for an equity package, an annual performance bonus, and our competitive benefits that support you and your family as part of your total rewards package at Etsy. For this role, we are considering candidates based in the United States. Candidates living within commutable distance of Etsy's Brooklyn Office Hub or in the San Francisco Bay Area may be the first to be considered. For candidates within commutable distance, Etsy requires in-office attendance once or twice per week depending on your proximity to the office. Etsy offers different work modes to meet the variety of needs and preferences of our team. Learn more details about our work modes and workplace safety policies here. The Search Ranking team is a core part of the Search Relevance organization. We build large-scale ranking systems that optimize how Etsy surfaces results - ensuring every search connects buyers with the most relevant, inspiring, and meaningful listings. Our work spans the full lifecycle of modern ranking systems: from model architecture and data pipelines, to feature engineering, experimentation, and production deployment. We use data-driven iteration and continuous learning to make every search more human, intuitive, and rewarding. You'll collaborate closely with product managers, data scientists, and other engineering teams to translate insights into measurable impact. The team's focus on strategic delivery, technical excellence, and iterative experimentation is key to scaling Etsy's marketplace while staying true to our mission.

Requirements

Proven experience leading teams in search ranking, or large-scale recommendation or ads systems.
Strong technical foundation in ranking algorithms, personalization, and information retrieval.
Expertise in ML experimentation, model iteration, and data-driven product development.
Experience driving strategic delivery and measurable impact - connecting technical investments to business outcomes.
Familiarity with deep learning architectures, vector search, and large-scale distributed systems.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to bridge technical and product perspectives.
A track record of developing and coaching high-performing teams, cultivating an inclusive and collaborative environment.
BS/MS or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
A learning mindset - curiosity, resilience, and passion for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Lead and grow a team of engineers and applied scientists building and maintaining ranking algorithms that power Etsy's search results.
Define and execute the technical strategy for ranking systems, ensuring we balance innovation, scalability, and reliability.
Partner cross-functionally to set clear goals and success metrics, ensuring that the team's work directly contributes to Etsy's business and marketplace growth.
Foster a culture of experimentation and learning, using data, A/B testing, and iteration to drive continuous improvement in search relevance and engagement.
Collaborate with teams across Search teams, ML Platform, and Infrastructure to ensure reliable, scalable systems and shared learning across Search.
Ensure the team delivers strategically impactful projects that balance user experience, ranking performance, and business outcomes.
Promote engineering and ML best practices, from model quality evaluation to operational excellence in production environments.