Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Relevance and Personalization

About the role

You will lead the development of search and recommendation systems that power the entire Airbnb platform. This role focuses on building end-to-end ranking algorithms and ecosystems to improve marketplace outcomes for hosts and guests.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and refine machine learning models using large-scale structured and unstructured data.
• Collaborate with product managers, software engineers, and data scientists to define requirements and quantify business impact.
• Build and maintain production-grade machine learning pipelines for both batch and real-time environments.
• Utilize internal and external tools to improve model development, latency, and quality.
• Execute projects involving feature platforms, model interpretability, hyperparameter tuning, and drift detection.

Requirements

• 5+ years of industry experience in applied machine learning, including an MS or PhD in a relevant field.
• Proficiency in programming with Scala, Python, Java, or C++.
• Deep knowledge of machine learning fundamentals, including A/B testing, feature engineering, and training/serving skew.
• Experience with algorithms in domains such as deep learning, NLP, computer vision, or marketplace optimization.
• Proficiency in at least three of the following: Tensorflow, PyTorch, Kubernetes, Spark, Airflow, Kafka, or data warehouses like Hive.
• Experience building and productionizing end-to-end machine learning infrastructure.
• Familiarity with large-scale software architecture, APIs, and test-driven development.

Nice to have

• Experience with modern NLP and large language models for tasks like representation learning, intent classification, or text generation.
• Background in building AI-native search features such as query understanding, smart compose, or autocomplete.

Skills & tools

• Scala, Python, Java, C++
• Tensorflow, PyTorch, Kubernetes, Spark, Airflow, Kafka, Hive

Practical notes

• You must reside in a state where Airbnb has a registered entity.
• The company cannot hire in Alaska, Mississippi, or North Dakota.
• The role may require occasional travel to an office or offsite events.
• Compensation includes base pay, bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.
• Candidates requiring disability accommodations during the application process may contact reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com.