Principal Machine Learning Engineer, Matching and Recommendations
What you'll do
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Define and lead the technical strategy for AI and Machine Learning systems that power recommendations, ranking, and personalization across Bumble products, delivering measurable improvements in user engagement and safety
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Design, develop, and deploy production-grade models using modern ML frameworks such as PyTorch , ensuring scalability and reliability in high-traffic environments
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Build and deploy production AI Agents using raw and fine-tuned foundational Large Language Models (LLMs), along with sub-agents, tools, and MCP integrations
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Architect end-to-end ML pipelines, integrating data processing (e.g. Spark, Airflow) with model training, evaluation, and deployment workflows
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Drive experimentation frameworks, including A/B testing and offline evaluation, to continuously improve model performance and product outcomes
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Partner cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Data leadership to translate business challenges into impactful ML solutions, collaborating with purpose and influencing at senior levels
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Mentor and elevate senior individual contributors, fostering a culture of Excellence, Curiosity, and continuous learning across the ML community
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Take ownership of complex, ambiguous problem spaces, seeing initiatives through from insight to impact while adapting approaches with an agile mindset
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Champion responsible AI practices, ensuring fairness, transparency, and user safety are embedded into all machine learning systems
About You
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Typically requires 10–15 years of experience, though we welcome candidates with alternative backgrounds that demonstrate equivalent skills.
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Deep expertise in machine learning, with hands-on experience building and deploying large-scale systems in production environments
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Strong proficiency in Python and at least one major ML framework (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow), with experience in areas such as recommendation systems, ranking models, or NLP
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Expertise in prompting and fine-tuning Large Language Models (LLMs) and building production AI Agents
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Proven experience designing scalable data and ML pipelines using tools such as Spark, Airflow, or similar distributed systems
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Demonstrated ability to operate as a senior individual contributor, influencing technical strategy and decision-making without direct authority
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Experience partnering effectively across functions, collaborating with purpose and taking ownership of outcomes in complex organisational environments
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A track record of mentoring and uplifting others, role modelling Respect and Excellence while building inclusive, high-performing teams
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Strong AI fluency, with the ability to independently design, evaluate, and optimise ML systems, and guide others in the responsible and effective application of AI
Benefits & Perks
Insurance: Medical/dental/vision, 30-day eligibility. Bumble has multiple competitive offerings that will be available to you on the first of the month following date of hire.
Unlimited PTO + 1 company-wide week off + Focus Fridays every week
Fully paid life and long-term disability insurance
401k with 4% company match if you contribute 6%, 90-day eligibility
Monthly wellness benefit and access to Noom, Unmind, and Your Money Line
Maternity and Fertility benefit + 26 week paid parental leave
Premium App Access
Skills
As published by lever · 9 questions · 2 written answers
Basics
Which location are you applying for?, Resume/CV, Full name, Pronouns, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website, What is your age range?, I identify my ethnicity asSelect all that apply, What gender do you identify as?, Do you identify as transgender?, Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation:, Do you have a long-lasting or chronic condition (physical, visual, auditory, cognitive or mental, emotional, or other) that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities (your ability to see, hear, or speak; to learn, remember, or concentrate)?, Are you a veteran or active member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard? (US Only)
Pick from a list (7)
- Our teams work together regularly from our Austin, New York, and London hubs. Are you able to commute to one of these locations on an ongoing basis?
- Are you subject to any non-compete restrictions, or other restrictions, that could prevent or delay you performing any part of the role?
- Are you currently authorised to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship? optional
- Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship (e.g. H-1B, O-1, TN) to work legally in the U.S.? optional
- Do you use AI tools in your professional or personal life?
- I acknowledge that Bumble may use AI tools to support interviews and recruitment (e.g. note-taking, summaries, resume/job matching), and that participation is voluntary. I understand it is my responsibility to inform any interviewer when a meeting starts if I wish to opt out. optional
- Have you directly built or owned a production system that determines what users see (e.g., recommendations, ranking, search relevance, or matching)? optional
Written answers (2)
- (If applicable) Are there any restrictions associated with your current visa (e.g. employer-specific, work location, full-time vs part-time)? optional
- Describe how you use AI tools in your work today, or how you would apply AI to improve the role you’re applying for. Please include a specific example of impact or workflow improvement. Answer in 3-5 sentences.