Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer, Guest & Host
Airbnb · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $272,500 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Architect and implement advanced ML solutions.
- Lead efforts in Large Language Models (LLMs).
- Shape ideas from inception to production.
- Spearhead ML applications in Messaging/Notifications.
- Lead and mentor ML, Data, and Product engineers.
About the role
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.
The Community You Will Join
We connect Airbnb’s community with the right information, in the right place, at the right time. We tailor Messaging & Notifications so hosts on Airbnb can streamline their operations, and travelers get just the information they need to enjoy their stay worry-free.
Additionally, we are building new connections within our community to help enrich the experience of hosting & traveling on Airbnb: easing the process of hosting, and adding meaning to our guest’s trips.
The Difference You Will Make
We believe our current customer experiences in these domains are only scratching the surface of the innovations that are possible, and that science is at the heart of delivering a step-function change for our Guest and and Host on Airbnb.
You will architect and implement advanced machine learning solutions—including recommendation engines, ranking systems, intent detection models, and the integration of intelligence into existing platforms. Additionally, you’ll lead efforts to harness the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) to create transformative AI experiences.
Many of the initiatives you’ll tackle are in their early conceptual stages. You will have the opportunity to shape these ideas from inception to production, turning visionary concepts into impactful realities. You will be leading ML, Data and Product engineers to drive ML applications.
A core focus of your work will be spearheading Machine Learning applications in Messaging and Notification—a high-impact area with significant potential to enhance guest and host experiences at Airbnb.
A Typical Day
- Envision, champion, and support the development of novel ML systems, product integrations, and performance optimizations to solve real-world problems
- Lead, mentor, challenge and grow enthusiastic, collaborative software engineers and applied scientists across the organization
- Raise the AI/ML skillset within the organization. A passion for teaching/mentoring is important.
Your Expertise
- 12+ years of software engineering experience, with 2+ years of experience in a Principal or Senior Staff Engineer role having ownership responsibility over large-scale software systems
- Background in the design and development of scalable AI and ML systems and services, and a deep passion for building ML-powered products
- You’re an inspiring colleague, a coach and mentor with experience owning and fostering engineering maturity in multiple organizations.
- You’re a builder, and implementer, who seeks out high impact work, and who is: proactive, curious, and an excellent communicator
Your Location:
This position is US - Remote Eligible. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with your manager. While the position is Remote Eligible, you must live in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Click here for the up-to-date list of excluded states. This list is continuously evolving, so please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. If your position is employed by another Airbnb entity, your recruiter will inform you what states you are eligible to work from.
Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging
Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process.
We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete our online application.
How We'll Take Care Of You
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.
Pay Range
$244,000—$305,000 USD
Key skills/competency
- Machine Learning Engineering
- Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Recommendation Engines
- Ranking Systems
- Intent Detection
- AI Solutions
- Scalable Systems
- Mentorship
- Engineering Leadership
- Product Integration
Skills & topics
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Senior Staff Engineer
- AI
- ML
- Large Language Models
- LLM
- Recommendation Engines
- Ranking Systems
- Intent Detection
- Scalable Systems
- Airbnb
- Software Engineering
- Remote
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 12+ years of software engineering experience and 2+ years in a Senior Staff Engineer role, emphasizing large-scale system ownership.
- Showcase ML expertise: Detail your background in designing and developing scalable AI/ML systems, services, and ML-powered products.
- Demonstrate leadership: Provide examples of your experience mentoring engineers and scientists, and fostering engineering maturity.
- Highlight communication: Emphasize your proactive, curious, and excellent communication skills as a builder and implementer.
- Address remote eligibility: Ensure you reside in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity for remote work.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the experience required for the Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer role at Airbnb?
- The Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer role at Airbnb requires 12+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 2 years in a Principal or Senior Staff Engineer capacity overseeing large-scale software systems. A strong background in designing and developing scalable AI and ML systems, services, and products is essential.
- What are the key responsibilities for a Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Airbnb?
- Key responsibilities include architecting and implementing advanced ML solutions like recommendation engines and ranking systems, leading efforts in Large Language Models (LLMs) for AI experiences, and shaping ML initiatives from concept to production. You will also lead ML, Data, and Product engineers and focus on ML applications in Messaging and Notification.
- Is this Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer position remote or on-site at Airbnb?
- This position is US - Remote Eligible. However, you must reside in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites may be required.
- What is the expected salary range for the Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer role at Airbnb?
- The disclosed pay range for this Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer position at Airbnb is $244,000 to $305,000 USD annually. This range is subject to change based on factors like experience, skills, business needs, and market demand, and may also be eligible for bonus, equity, and benefits.
- Does Airbnb offer accommodations for candidates with disabilities for the Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer role?
- Yes, Airbnb strives to provide a disability-inclusive application and interview process. If you require reasonable accommodation due to a disability that prevents you from completing the online application, please contact reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com with your full name, the role you're applying for, and the necessary accommodation.
- What are the key technical skills for the Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Airbnb?
- Key technical skills include architecting and implementing advanced machine learning solutions (recommendation engines, ranking systems, intent detection), leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), and building scalable AI/ML systems and services. Experience with product integration and performance optimization is also crucial.
- What kind of leadership is expected from the Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Airbnb?
- The role expects strong leadership in mentoring and growing software engineers and applied scientists, fostering engineering maturity within organizations, and raising the AI/ML skillset. You should be an inspiring colleague, coach, and mentor who leads by example.