Machine Learning Engineer, Marketplace Optimization

DoorDash

• $137K — $299K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, or related field.
  • Experience in building or maintaining machine learning systems in production.
  • Strong grasp of machine learning fundamentals and statistical methods.
  • Proficiency in Python, Java, or C++ and familiarity with ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or XGBoost.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Curiosity and a proactive attitude towards learning and project ownership.
  • Experience with auction systems, bidding, and forecasting is advantageous.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and deploy machine learning models and pipelines for optimization.
  • Collaborate with data science and product teams for new algorithm development.
  • Enhance existing ML infrastructure and data pipelines with platform teams.
  • Write maintainable code and engage in peer reviews of system design.
  • Learn from senior engineers and contribute to team discussions.
  • Execute lift tests in partnership with data science and marketing departments.
  • Collaborate on budget A/B testing and evaluation frameworks with platform teams.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including 401(k) with employer matching.
  • 16 weeks of paid parental leave and flexible paid time off.
  • Wellness and commuter benefits.
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Disability and basic life insurance.
  • Family-forming assistance and mental health program.
Full Job Description
About the Role

We're looking for a Machine Learning Engineer to help design, build, optimize and scale large-scale ML systems within the Ads Delivery funnel.
  • Design, build, and deploy ML models and pipelines for pacing, bidding, auction and targeting optimization.
  • Collaborate with Data Science and Product teams to develop and evaluate new algorithms through rigorous experimentation.
  • Improve and scale existing ML infrastructure and data pipelines in partnership with Platform and Infra teams.
  • Write high-quality, maintainable code and participate in system design and peer reviews.
  • Learn from senior engineers and contribute to technical discussions that shape the team's roadmap.
  • Partner with Data Science and Marketing to design and execute lift tests; collaborate with Platform teams on budget A/B testing and evaluation framework.

This is a high-impact role for someone who enjoys combining economic intuition, large-scale ML modeling, and applied engineering to solve complex real-world optimization problems.
You're excited about this opportunity because you will...
  • Own impactful ML systems: Build and improve models that directly have a large impact on top and bottom line financials.
  • Drive experimentation: Rapidly test hypotheses via robust sequential experiments; measure and explain your models' impact on marketplace KPIs
  • Optimize at scale: Work with one of the largest delivery datasets, building optimization pipelines that consider budget, fairness, assignment rates, and more
  • Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with engineering, analytics, product, and operations to iterate quickly, moving models from prototype to production
  • Shape the future: We're one of the fastest growing Ads platforms in the world and we're looking to take that even further!
We're excited about you because you have...
  • B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related field.
  • Proficiency in using AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) in the full software development lifecycle, including designing, generating code, testing, monitoring and releasing software
  • Industry experience building or maintaining machine learning systems in production.
  • Solid understanding of machine learning fundamentals, statistics, and data modeling.
  • Strong programming skills in Python, Java, or C++, and experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or XGBoost.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills - comfortable working with cross-functional partners in Product, DS, and Engineering.
  • Curiosity and a growth mindset - motivated to learn, iterate quickly, and take ownership of impactful projects.
  • Familiarity with auction systems, bidding, forecasting, or budget optimization (or other experience in ads or marketplaces) is a plus.
  • Familiarity with experimentation science, including experience designing lift tests; marketplace incrementality experience is a plus.

Notice Regarding Use of AI and Automated Tools: To streamline our hiring process, DoorDash utilizes an automated recruitment tool called Gem.

How it works: Gem assists our recruiting team by evaluating job related qualifications and characteristics in connection with hiring. The tool is designed and used to support - rather than replace - human decision-making; trained personnel make final decisions with meaningful human review and oversight, and DoorDash does not use Gem or other AI-enabled tool in a manner that has the effect of subjecting applicants or employees to discrimination based on any protected characteristic or proxy or for engaging in any protected activity under applicable law.

Data Retention, Privacy & Bias Audit: Data collected during this process is retained in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy and applicable state laws. In compliance with New York City Local Law 144, the independent bias audit summary for Gem is publicly available for review at our Careers Page.

Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only

We use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024.

The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: Covey

Compensation

The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee's work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.

In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.

DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.

To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.

See below for paid time off details:
  • For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
  • For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).

The national base pay ranges for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado.

I4

$137,100-$201,600 USD

I5

$167,800-$246,800 USD

I6

$203,500-$299,300 USD

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