Who you are

• 3+ years of experience as a front-line manager delivering production-grade software or ML systems
• 5+ years of experience as an individual contributor in ML or Data Science, plus proven experience leading teams that build end-to-end machine learning systems, ideally in personalization, recommendations, or consumer-facing ML products
• Deep familiarity with the Python ML ecosystem (e.g., pandas, sklearn, xgboost, PyTorch) and comfortable reviewing designs, unblocking technical challenges, and setting high technical standards
• Experience supervising ML Engineers and/or Data Scientists; bonus points for experience managing Software Engineers
• Strong understanding of the full ML lifecycle, including data pipelines, workflow orchestration (e.g., Airflow), deployment, monitoring, and iteration in production
• Product-minded: passionate about technology, but primarily motivated by solving real user problems and driving business impact
• Experience working with large-scale, real-time or near-real-time data systems
• Comfortable owning and evolving the ML tech stack end-to-end, from data and modeling through production systems
• Background in consumer-facing products; experience in e-commerce, marketplaces, or complex user journeys is strongly preferred
• You're comfortable and enthusiastic about working in an AI-forward environment where AI tools are part of daily operations

What the job involves

• As Babylist’s Senior Engineering Manager, Machine Learning & Discovery+Site Monetization, you’ll lead the team driving the next era of our machine learning and personalization efforts across the product. This is a hands-on leadership role for a manager who remains technically fluent while scaling people, systems, and impact
• You’ll manage and grow a high-performing ML-focused pod spanning product recommendations, search, PLPs, and site monetization, with a clear mandate: maximize revenue and user value across surface areas through personalization
• You’ll guide the team on technical direction behind our homepage feed, “add next” experience, and other core personalization surfaces, while building the foundations for long-term ML excellence at Babylist
• Build and lead the ML & personalization function: Hire, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary team (Machine Learning Engineers, Software Engineers, Product Manager, and occasional Designer), shaping the roadmap, standards, and culture for ML at Babylist
• Own high-impact ML initiatives: Deliver personalization systems that improve discovery, engagement, and monetization across key surfaces, directly impacting business outcomes
• Set technical and algorithmic direction: Define modeling approaches, data strategy, and system architecture in partnership with senior technical leaders, balancing experimentation with scalable execution
• Be hands-on when needed: Review ML/DS designs and code, build proof-of-concept models, and conduct your own data science research to de-risk ideas and accelerate progress
• Develop talent: Coach engineers on technical growth, career progression, and performance, combining strong technical standards with empowerment
• Drive cross-functional alignment: Partner closely with Product, Design, Analytics Engineering, and Data to translate ambiguous business problems into clear technical direction
• Understand the full funnel: Develop a deep understanding of Babylist’s user journeys, user feedback loops, and financial models — and how ML systems influence them end-to-end
• Our Tech Stack: React, Native iOS and Android, Ruby on Rails, AWS, Terraform, MySQL, Sidekiq, Redis, Shopify

The application process

• During the interview process, we're evaluating your individual problem-solving skills, creativity, and approach to challenges. While AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor are part of your daily toolkit once you join Babylist, all interviews, assessments, and take-home assignments must be completed independently
• We will clearly communicate when AI tools are allowed for specific assessments

Benefits

• HAPPIER WEEKENDS – We work to live, not live to work. That means we generally don’t work nights or weekends, and we offer 10 paid holidays throughout the year, in addition to your paid time off.
• PAID TIME OFF THAT WORKS FOR YOU – Life is unpredictable. Use your time off for what you need, whether that’s a vacation, family event or a day to unplug.
• PARENTAL LEAVE – We offer a flexible, 12-week paid parental leave policy.
• FLEXIBLE BENEFITS – Choose from benefits that support your working style, whether that's remote, in the office or something in between.
• HEALTH & WELLNESS – Wellness benefits include 100% paid coverage for medical, vision and dental for full-time employees.
• BABYLIST STORE DISCOUNT – All full-time employees receive a generous Babylist Store discount.