Senior Lead Machine Learning Engineer, Search and Recommendation

Related keywords: data engineer remote jobdata science remote jobremote job worldwide

Overview

Upwork, recognized as the world's largest work marketplace, connects businesses with skilled professionals globally. The company is looking for a Senior Lead Machine Learning Engineer, especially in the Search and Recommendation domain. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on how professionals and clients connect by improving their platform's user experience through sophisticated machine learning techniques.

Position Summary

As a Senior Lead Machine Learning Engineer at Upwork, you will play a central role in leveraging advanced machine learning to enhance the platform's efficiency and accuracy. This position will focus on improving features like search relevance and personalization to create a seamless experience for users, ultimately supporting the company's mission of providing economic opportunities for professionals worldwide.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for this role include:

  • Designing, implementing, and deploying machine learning models aimed at improving Upwork's platform features such as search relevance, recommendations, and user personalization.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams like product management, data engineering, and design to develop and deliver ML-driven solutions that align with Upwork's business goals.

  • Leading experimentation and optimization processes for models actively in production while ensuring they can handle large user bases seamlessly.

  • Building scalable machine learning pipelines for training, inference, and real-time batch processing utilizing cloud-native platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure.

  • Utilizing advanced data analysis techniques to extract insights that will guide data-driven decisions aimed at enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.

  • Mentoring junior machine learning engineers, fostering a team culture focused on continuous learning and innovation.

Required Skills

Candidates applying for this role should possess:

  • Extensive experience in machine learning, ideally with expertise in deep learning and natural language processing (NLP).
  • A track record of successfully deploying models at scale for low-latency applications.

  • Experience with operationalizing, monitoring, and scaling ML models and pipelines within cloud ecosystems.

  • Strong foundational knowledge in information retrieval, NLP, and user behavior modeling.

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL, along with familiarity with ML/AI frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.

  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills to effectively address complex challenges in a fast-paced environment.

  • A growth mindset and commitment to staying abreast of trends and advancements in both machine learning and data science.

Salary and Benefits

The annual base salary range for the Senior Lead Machine Learning Engineer position at Upwork is between $195,000 and $308,000 USD. This range represents the minimum and maximum salary that can be offered, depending on the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographical location. The position is eligible for an annual bonus plan and participation in long-term equity incentive programs.

Upwork offers a robust set of benefits that extend beyond mere health coverage. These include:

  • Comprehensive medical benefits for employees and their families.
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) to promote work-life balance.

  • A 401(k) plan with matching contributions.

  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

  • An Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Company Culture and Values

Upwork places high importance on fostering an inclusive workplace that not only respects but also values diversity. The company's culture emphasizes trust, risk-taking, customer-centric approaches, and excellence in service. It encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work, supporting personal and professional growth through various programs and initiatives. Upwork aims to create economic opportunities so that people can lead better lives, reinforcing its core mission.

Job Location

While Upwork has a physical office in Palo Alto, it is known for hiring full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, facilitating remote work and broadening the spectrum of opportunities for potential candidates. This makes it easier to join their mission from wherever you call home.

Conclusion

This role is an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about using machine learning to effect meaningful change. By joining Upwork, you will not only be advancing your career but also contributing to the future of work through innovative solutions that enhance the user experience on a global platform.



This job offer was originally published on himalayas.app

Upwork

United States

Data science

Full-time

July 22, 2025

29 views

0 clicks on Apply Now


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