Machine Learning Science Intern - Summer 2026

Wayfair • Boston, MA

77d • $5,200

About The Position

The Machine Learning team develops core algorithmic systems for the business, with over 20 specialized sub-teams working on a wide range of projects including Search, Pricing, Personalization, and Supply Chain. Our program gives you the chance to address key business challenges with state-of-the-art solutions. You'll work with great mentors who will guide you from problem definition to production, with the potential to publish your work in top-tier venues. We collaborate with various stakeholders to build scalable ML solutions that drive revenue and enhance the customer experience. Our projects are driven by entrepreneurial individuals who take ownership of their work in a collaborative setting. Examples include developing models for customer preferences, optimizing profitability through demand forecasting, and creating solutions to detect duplicate products. Your work will directly impact the customer experience, with our in-house A/B testing platform allowing you to see the immediate effects of your algorithms on the company.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in a quantitative field (Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics/Biostatistics, Physics, Robotics, Operations Research, etc.) with the expectation that the degree will be obtained between December 2026 and August 2027
• Proficient knowledge of structured programming language(s) (e.g. Python)
• Must be returning to the course of study following completion of the internship
• Ability to commit to working 40 hours per week (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) from June 1 - August 7, 2026 in our Boston office

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with regression and machine learning techniques, such as supervised/unsupervised learning, recommendation systems, reinforcement learning, deep learning, etc.
• An affinity for data along with experience leveraging statistics and regression analysis
• Intuitive sense of how quantitative and technical work aligns closely with business priorities and business value
• Experience with languages and tools relevant to data science, including Pytorch/TF, github, pyspark, Docker, SQL, GCP
• Familiarity with data structures, algorithms, OOP, and programming in a team environment
• Quick learner with an analytical approach to solving problems as part of a team who has strong communication skills
• Strong comfort level and appetite to use AI in daily workflow
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where there can be degrees of ambiguity
• Ability to effectively work with technical leads
• Ability to synthesize conclusions for non-experts and desire to influence technical decision

Responsibilities

• Own the entire machine learning lifecycle, from initial idea to deployment and measuring business impact
• Develop and scale cutting-edge machine learning models to solve core business problems
• Create impactful algorithmic solutions that directly improve customer and supplier experiences
• Uncover and act on key insights from vast datasets to provide tactical guidance and drive business value
• Pilot new tools and techniques and contribute to potential scientific publications
• Collaborate with a team of experts to build maintainable and scalable solutions

Benefits

• A calendar of intern events including social networking, professional development and a leadership dialogue series
• Formalized mentorship program along with an assigned reporting manager for impactful professional development and feedback
• Skills-based training
• Dialogue events with senior leaders to provide a holistic view of all functions at Wayfair
• Coffee chat opportunities for interns to get to know one another
• Volunteer opportunities
• Intern-wide innovation project designed to teach interns skills for handling ambiguous business problems
• Intern Appreciation Day celebration
• Events throughout Boston which allow interns to explore what the city has to offer including a Red Sox game, and Boston Harbor boat cruise

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees