Senior Engineering Manager, Machine Learning

Babylist • Reston, VA

4h • Remote

About The Position

As Babylist’s Senior Engineering Manager, Machine Learning & Discovery+Site Monetization, you’ll lead the team driving the next era of our machine learning and personalization efforts across the product. This is a hands-on leadership role for a manager who remains technically fluent while scaling people, systems, and impact. You’ll manage and grow a high-performing ML-focused pod spanning product recommendations, search, PLPs, and site monetization, with a clear mandate: maximize revenue and user value across surface areas through personalization.
You’ll guide the team on technical direction behind our homepage feed, “add next” experience, and other core personalization surfaces, while building the foundations for long-term ML excellence at Babylist.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a front-line manager delivering production-grade software or ML systems
• 5+ years of experience as an individual contributor in ML or Data Science, plus proven experience leading teams that build end-to-end machine learning systems, ideally in personalization, recommendations, or consumer-facing ML products
• Deep familiarity with the Python ML ecosystem (e.g., pandas, sklearn, xgboost, PyTorch) and comfortable reviewing designs, unblocking technical challenges, and setting high technical standards
• Experience supervising ML Engineers and/or Data Scientists; bonus points for experience managing Software Engineers
• Strong understanding of the full ML lifecycle, including data pipelines, workflow orchestration (e.g., Airflow), deployment, monitoring, and iteration in production
• Product-minded: passionate about technology, but primarily motivated by solving real user problems and driving business impact
• Experience working with large-scale, real-time or near-real-time data systems
• Comfortable owning and evolving the ML tech stack end-to-end, from data and modeling through production systems
• Background in consumer-facing products; experience in e-commerce, marketplaces, or complex user journeys is strongly preferred
• You're comfortable and enthusiastic about working in an AI-forward environment where AI tools are part of daily operations

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the ML & personalization function: Hire, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary team (Machine Learning Engineers, Software Engineers, Product Manager, and occasional Designer), shaping the roadmap, standards, and culture for ML at Babylist
• Own high-impact ML initiatives: Deliver personalization systems that improve discovery, engagement, and monetization across key surfaces, directly impacting business outcomes
• Set technical and algorithmic direction: Define modeling approaches, data strategy, and system architecture in partnership with senior technical leaders, balancing experimentation with scalable execution
• Be hands-on when needed: Review ML/DS designs and code, build proof-of-concept models, and conduct your own data science research to de-risk ideas and accelerate progress
• Develop talent: Coach engineers on technical growth, career progression, and performance, combining strong technical standards with empowerment
• Drive cross-functional alignment: Partner closely with Product, Design, Analytics Engineering, and Data to translate ambiguous business problems into clear technical direction
• Understand the full funnel: Develop a deep understanding of Babylist’s user journeys, user feedback loops, and financial models — and how ML systems influence them end-to-end

Benefits

• Competitive pay and meaningful opportunities for career advancement
• We believe technology and data can solve hard problems
• We're committed to career progression and performance-based advancement
• Competitive salary with equity and bonus opportunities
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with company matching and flexible spending accounts
• Generous paid parental leave and PTO
• Remote work stipend to set up your office
• Perks for physical, mental, and emotional health, parenting, childcare, and financial planning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed