Director, Machine Learning Engineering – Growth

at Pinterest · Consumer · Palo Alto, CA · Core Engineering

Director of Machine Learning Engineering for the Growth organization at Pinterest. This role will define the long-term ML vision, strategy, and operating model to drive user and engagement growth. Responsibilities include overseeing multiple ML teams, partnering with leadership on strategy, defining ML architecture, building and developing teams, and acting as a thought partner. The role requires deep expertise in building and operating large-scale ML systems in production, leading multiple ML teams, and defining technical strategies.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the ML strategy for Growth
  2. Lead and grow high‑performing ML teams
  3. Drive execution on critical Growth initiatives
  4. Shape our ML platforms and architecture
  5. Influence across Pinterest

Skills

Required

  • building and operating large-scale ML systems in production
  • deep learning
  • recommendation/ranking systems
  • reinforcement learning
  • generative AI
  • leading multiple ML teams
  • setting strategy
  • defining and executing multi-year technical strategies and roadmaps
  • product sense
  • translating ambiguous business questions into ML problems
  • written and verbal communication
  • influencing senior leaders
  • collaboration
  • building responsible ML systems
  • quality, fairness and safety standards
  • Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics degree or equivalent experience
  • 12+ years of professional experience
  • 5+ years in people leadership roles (managing managers and senior ICs)

Nice to have

  • Experience using Cursor, Copilot, Codex, or similar AI coding assistants
  • Familiarity with LLM-powered productivity tools for documentation search, experiment analysis, SQL/data exploration, and engineering workflow acceleration

What the JD emphasized

  • Deep expertise building and operating large‑scale ML systems in production
  • Proven track record of leading multiple ML teams or organizations
  • Experience defining and executing multi‑year technical strategies and roadmaps
  • Commitment to building responsible, user‑centric ML systems with high quality, fairness and safety standards

Other signals

  • lead ML teams
  • define ML strategy
  • drive execution on Growth initiatives
  • shape ML platforms and architecture
  • influence across Pinterest
Read full job description

About Pinterest:

Millions of people around the world come to our platform to find creative ideas, dream about new possibilities and plan for memories that will last a lifetime. At Pinterest, we’re on a mission to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love, and that starts with the people behind the product.

Discover a career where you ignite innovation for millions, transform passion into growth opportunities, celebrate each other’s unique experiences and embrace the flexibility to do your best work. Creating a career you love? It’s Possible.

At Pinterest, AI isn't just a feature, it's a powerful partner that augments our creativity and amplifies our impact, and we’re looking for candidates who are excited to be a part of that. To get a complete picture of your experience and abilities, we’ll explore your foundational skills and how you collaborate with AI.

Through our interview process, what matters most is that you can always explain your approach, showing us not just what you know, but how you think. You can read more about our AI interview philosophy and how we use AI in our recruiting process here.

We are looking for a Director of Machine Learning to lead the Machine Learning function for the Growth organization. This leader will define the long‑term ML vision, strategy and operating model that powers user and engagement growth across Pinterest’s surfaces and entry points.

You will oversee multiple teams of machine learning engineers and managers responsible for core Growth problems such as activation, retention, notifications, SEO, paid acquisition and lifecycle personalization. You’ll combine deep technical expertise with strong people leadership and product instincts to deliver industry‑leading methodologies in recommendation, ranking, experimentation, deep learning and generative AI. As the Director, Machine Learning for Growth, you’ll own the health, performance and evolution of our ML ecosystems across Growth. You’ll ensure our technology can deliver on the business and product requirements necessary to keep Pinterest as an engaging, inspiring platform for everyone. This means:

  • Partnering with senior Product, Data Science, and Engineering leadership to set and execute a multi‑year strategy for Pinterest’s Growth systems.
  • Defining a unified ML architecture and roadmap for Growth that leverages shared platforms while allowing fast iteration.
  • Building, developing and retaining a world‑class team of machine learning leaders and engineers.
  • Acting as a visible thought partner and spokesperson for Growth ML to executives and cross‑functional stakeholders.

You’ll also foster a healthy, inclusive community where ML practitioners across Growth can learn best practices, collaborate effectively and understand our technical direction.

** What you’ll do:**

  • Own the ML strategy for Growth
  • Lead and grow high‑performing ML teams
  • Drive execution on critical Growth initiatives
  • Shape our ML platforms and architecture
  • Influence across Pinterest

** What we’re looking for:**

  • Deep expertise building and operating large‑scale ML systems in production, using modern frameworks (e.g., deep learning, recommendation/ranking systems, reinforcement learning, generative AI).
  • Demonstrated success driving Growth or adjacent problem spaces (e.g., activation funnels, notifications, lifecycle marketing, SEO, paid acquisition, or large‑scale consumer engagement).
  • Proven track record of leading multiple ML teams or organizations, including managing managers and setting strategy across a broad portfolio of projects.
  • Experience defining and executing multi‑year technical strategies and roadmaps, and delivering large, cross‑functional initiatives across multiple organizations.
  • Strong product sense and ability to translate ambiguous business questions into well‑structured ML problems and experiments.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate cross‑functionally.
  • Commitment to building responsible, user‑centric ML systems with high quality, fairness and safety standards.
  • Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 12+ years of professional experience as a hands‑on engineer and technical leader, including 5+ years in people leadership roles (managing managers and senior ICs).

Nice To Have:

  • Experience using Cursor, Copilot, Codex, or similar AI coding assistants for development, debugging, testing, and refactoring.
  • Familiarity with LLM-powered productivity tools for documentation search, experiment analysis, SQL/data exploration, and engineering workflow acceleration.

** In‑Office Requirement Statement:**

  • We recognize that the ideal environment for work is situational and may differ across departments. What this looks like day-to-day can vary based on the needs of each organization or role.
  • This role will need to be in the office for in‑person collaboration 1–2 times every 6 months and therefore can be situated anywhere in the country.

** Relocation Statement:**

  • This position is not eligible for relocation assistance. Visit ourPinFlex page to learn more about our working model.

#LI-REMOTE #LI-AK7

At Pinterest we believe the workplace should be equitable, inclusive, and inspiring for every employee. In an effort to provide greater transparency, we are sharing the base salary range for this position. The position is also eligible for equity. Final salary is based on a number of factors including location, travel, relevant prior experience, or particular skills and expertise.

Information regarding the culture at Pinterest and benefits available for this position can be found here.

US based applicants only

$267,393—$491,531 USD

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

Pinterest is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best qualified people in every job. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require a medical or religious accommodation during the job application process, please complete this form for support.