Machine Learning Engineer

About The CompanyMillions of people around the world turn to Pinterest daily to find creative ideas, envision new possibilities, and plan memorable experiences. As a leading platform for inspiration, Pinterest is committed to empowering users to create a life they love by providing a space for discovery and innovation. With a mission to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love, Pinterest fosters a dynamic environment where creativity and technology intersect. The company helps over half a billion users explore ideas, run billions of search queries each month, and engage with personalized content tailored to their interests. Pinterest’s unique approach to visual discovery and recommendation technology positions it as a pioneer in the social media landscape, continuously pushing the boundaries of user engagement and content relevance.About The RoleWe are seeking a highly motivated Staff Machine Learning Engineer to join our Closeup Relevance team. This role involves leading innovative projects that enhance the recommendation systems responsible for related pins, which are pivotal in helping users explore topics of interest and receive continuous inspiration. As a key technical leader, you will work within a cross-functional environment alongside talented ML engineers, product managers, and data scientists to design, develop, and implement state-of-the-art recommendation algorithms and infrastructure. Your expertise will influence the full recommendation funnel, from understanding broad exploratory queries to delivering highly personalized content, impacting hundreds of millions of Pinterest users daily. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead technological advancements, mentor senior engineers, and shape the strategic direction of Pinterest’s recommendation systems, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.Qualifications7+ years of professional experience in Machine Learning5+ years of proposing and delivering innovations based on original research or cutting-edge ML advancements3+ years of experience leading large-scale, mature ML recommendation system teams in an end-to-end capacityBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related fieldProven ability to thrive in ambiguous environments and define open-ended problemsStrong expertise in machine learning modeling, infrastructure, and deploymentExperience with statistics, backend systems, batch processing, and real-time data processingDemonstrated ability to set and execute technical strategies at both team and organizational levelsA track record of driving impactful product features and user engagementExcellent leadership and mentorship skills with a focus on fostering innovation and excellenceResponsibilitiesLead the development and implementation of advanced recommendation algorithms to enhance related pins and content discoveryCollaborate with cross-functional teams including content, infrastructure, and product management to deliver innovative solutionsDefine and execute the technical vision and strategic roadmap for the recommendation systemsMentor and grow senior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovationWork closely with data scientists and engineers to optimize machine learning models and infrastructure for scalability and performanceProvide visibility into the team’s impact and progress to senior leadershipDrive innovation by proposing new research initiatives and integrating cutting-edge ML techniquesEnsure the recommendation systems are aligned with user needs and business objectives, delivering measurable impactBenefitsCompetitive salary range of $176,924 — $364,254 USD, commensurate with experience and locationEquity options and other performance-based incentivesFlexible remote work arrangements with in-office collaboration 1-2 times per quarterComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plansGenerous paid time off and holiday leaveProfessional development opportunities and continuous learning programsInclusive and diverse workplace culture that values innovation and collaborationEqual OpportunityPinterest is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and dignity. We make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic.