Sr Director, Machine Learning - Search

About Upwork

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace, serving everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises. We provide a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways, unlocking their potential. Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

About the Role

As the Senior Director of Machine Learning for Search & Recommendations, you will lead a dynamic team responsible for developing and optimizing the algorithms that power our search and recommendation engines. Your work will directly impact the core of Upwork’s platform, enhancing the way clients and freelancers connect and collaborate. If you have a deep passion for machine learning, excel in a collaborative and achievement-focused environment, and are driven by our mission to create economic opportunities so people have better lives, we invite you to be part of our journey.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive machine learning strategy for search and recommendation systems that aligns with Upwork’s business goals and user needs.
• Oversee the development and optimization of algorithms that improve search relevance, personalization, and recommendation quality across the Upwork platform.
• Work closely with product, engineering, and data teams to drive the integration of ML models and ensure alignment with product roadmaps and technical infrastructure.
• Develop metrics and monitoring systems to evaluate the effectiveness of ML models and algorithms. Use insights to guide future development efforts.

What it takes to catch our eye

• 10+ years of experience in machine learning, with a proven track record of developing and deploying ML models at scale, particularly in the areas of search and recommendations.
• Deep understanding of the latest ML technologies, tools, and practices.
• Expert level experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow, Large Language Model development, Retrieval Augmented Generation, Knowledge Graphs, Generative AI, Langchain, Transformer models, and others.
• Good understanding of end-to-end machine learning services, toolings/systems, and deployment pipelines including feature store, CI/CD, testing, monitoring, and drifting.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to drive the initiative-level technical vision for ML and AI.
• Proven track record of publication and presentation at top-tier venues.