Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Etsy•New York, NY

1d•$245,000 - $319,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Senior Staff Software Engineer, Machine Learning to be a pivotal technical leader in architecting the next generation of AI/ML models and systems that connect buyers and sellers across Etsy's platform. In this highly influential role, you will define and lead the technical strategy for our core AI/ML solutions in Search, Recommendations, and Ads. You will apply state-of-the-art techniques, including hybrid retrieval, multi-tasking deep learning, Generative Recommendations, and Agentic shopping experiences to create a cohesive, highly personalized customer journey for over 85 million buyers and over 5 million sellers. Do you have a passion for designing and implementing strategies for a holistic AI/ML ecosystem? Are you excited by the challenge of leading research initiatives and building advanced algorithms at a global scale? Are you motivated to mentor engineers and shape the future state of the industry? If so, this could be the perfect match. This is a full-time position reporting to the Engineering leadership within Search, Recommendations, and Ads. 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 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.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in ML and AI, with a proud track record of building large-scale, high-performance models and systems.
Deep experience with the end-to-end development lifecycle of ML/AI, focusing on both large-scale model training and serving.
A foundational and practical understanding of machine learning principles and the critical steps required to successfully productionize models at scale.
Proficiency with modern data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Beam, Hadoop) and ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
Exceptional ability to define and solve highly ambiguous or unconstrained technical problems, knowing when to strategically seek assistance.
A proven track record of successfully collaborating with engineers, leaders, and product managers to drive complex projects to completion.
A demonstrated commitment to supporting and mentoring other engineers, elevating the technical capability of the organization.

Responsibilities

Identify customer problems and opportunities; lead teams to research, architect, design, and operationalize AI/ML solutions.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders to define and execute a compelling product and technical roadmap for ML solutions.
Drive cross-functional technical alignment and execution across various engineering teams.
Lead R&D in advanced AI, with a major focus on mid/long-term research topics that push the boundaries of the industry.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to grow the skills and capabilities of engineers across the entire organization.
Apply a disciplined, data-driven approach to technical decision-making and experimentation.