Staff Scientist of Applied ML, Search

Candidates for this position are preferred to be based in Mountain View, CA and will be expected to comply with their team's hybrid work schedule requirements.

Who we are:
The Search and Recommendations Machine Learning (ML) team is responsible for the algorithms driving Wayfair’s global search experience across all countries and stores, as well as all other recommendation services at Wayfair, including item-to-item, browse, email, and more. These systems support both our core e-commerce experience and brand-based content, leveraging state-of-the-art web-scale ML, including advanced NLP, graph-based learning, and multi-modal technologies. Serving over 22 million active customers, our mission is to help customers quickly identify their style and needs, providing an end-to-end personalized and inspiring experience.

Hiring Leader : Patrick Phelps - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phphelps/

What You’ll Do:

• Design and develop cutting-edge multi-modal search and recommendation algorithms to enhance the customer shopping journey—from inspiration to purchase and delivery.
• Implement scalable and reusable ML models for ranking systems (retrieval, relevance, and whole slate optimization) using a combination of large-scale customer behavioral data and a rich catalog of product information.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including data science, engineering, and product, to integrate ML solutions that drive measurable improvements in customer engagement and business outcomes.
• Contribute to the evolution of diverse product experiences by developing scalable cloud-based solutions that can be applied across multiple business domains.
• Explore and address complex marketplace challenges, such as supply and demand matching, product discovery, and cold-start problems, using innovative machine learning approaches.
• Stay current with the latest research in machine learning and related fields, and actively contribute to the team's knowledge base by sharing insights and proposing novel solutions.

We Are a Match Because:

• 7+ years of industry experience in one or more of the following areas: Search, NLP, Ranking, Ads, Recommender Systems, and Machine Learning.
• Strong technical skills with hands-on experience in Python and/or Java for solving ML problems, and familiarity with technical workflow tools for batch and real-time data processing.
• Deep understanding of statistical and quantitative modeling techniques, including experimental design, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, and optimization.
• Proven track record of executing large-scale ML projects, including the development of roadmaps and delivery of complex solutions.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with cloud-native technologies, particularly GCP and Vertex AI, is a plus.

Why You'll Love Wayfair

• Time Off:
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Health & Wellness:
  • Full Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA)
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Protection (Short Term & Long Term Disability) 
  • Global Wellbeing: Gym/Fitness discounts (including US Peloton, Global ClassPass, and various regional gym memberships)
  • Mental Health Support (Global Mental Health, Global Wayhealthy Recordings)
  • Caregiver Services
• Financial Growth & Security:
  • 401K Matching (Employee Matching Program)
  • Tuition Reimbursement 
  • Financial Health Education (Knowledge of Financial Education - KOFE)
  • Tax Advantaged Accounts
• Family Support:
  • Family Planning Support
  • Parental Leave
  • Global Surrogacy & Adoption Policy
• Professional Development & Recognition:
  • Rewards & Recognition 
  • Global Employee Anniversary Awards 
  • Paid Volunteer Work 
• Unique Perks:
  • Employee Discount 
  • U.S. Bluebikes Membership
  • Global Pod Outings
• Work/Life Balance:
  • Emphasizing a supportive & flexible work environment that encourages a balance between personal and professional commitments 

The salary range for this position is $207,000 - $230,000* however, base pay offered may vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per individual states’ pay transparency laws.

We are looking forward to your application!

About Wayfair Inc.

Wayfair is one of the world’s largest online destinations for the home. Whether you work in our global headquarters in Boston or Berlin, or in our warehouses or offices throughout the world, we’re reinventing the way people shop for their homes. Through our commitment to industry-leading technology and creative problem-solving, we are confident that Wayfair will be home to the most rewarding work of your career. If you’re looking for rapid growth, constant learning, and dynamic challenges, then you’ll find that amazing career opportunities are knocking.

No matter who you are, Wayfair is a place you can call home. We’re a community of innovators, risk-takers, and trailblazers who celebrate our differences, and know that our unique perspectives make us stronger, smarter, and well-positioned for success. We value and rely on the collective voices of our employees, customers, community, and suppliers to help guide us as we build a better Wayfair – and world – for all. Every voice, every perspective matters. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Your personal data is processed in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice (https://www.wayfair.com/careers/privacy). If you have any questions or wish to exercise your rights under applicable privacy and data protection laws, please contact us at dataprotectionofficer@wayfair.com.