Staff Machine Learning Engineer - Search

WarnerMedia Services, LLC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 339,000; Full time

Job summary

Warner Bros. Discovery is seeking a Staff Machine Learning Engineer to lead the design and evolution of ML-driven search algorithms for our global streaming app, HBO Max.

You will own end-to-end search from retrieval and ranking to personalization, impacting how millions of users discover content worldwide. You will define the roadmap, drive architecture decisions, and mentor engineers and data scientists to build high-quality search experiences.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in industry, with 4+ years as tech lead.
• Deep expertise in search and ranking algorithms (retrieval, LTR, semantic search).
• Experience building large-scale ML systems in production.
• Proficiency in Python; Java/Go a plus.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure).
• Strong cross-functional communication skills.
• Nice to have: recommender systems, personalization.
• Familiarity with NLP techniques and vector search (Faiss/ScaNN).

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of large-scale model-driven search algorithms (retrieval, ranking, query understanding).
• Define and evolve technical search strategy balancing relevance, latency, and scalability.
• Drive end-to-end ML systems: data pipelines, feature engineering, model training, experimentation and serving.
• Partner with product, data, and infra teams to shape the search roadmap and user experience.
• Mentor engineers and data scientists to raise the bar on algorithm development and system design.
• Identify high-impact opportunities across search and personalization.

Skills

Tech lead

Search algorithms

Python

Distributed systems

Cloud platforms

SQL pipelines

NLP techniques

Vector search

Experimentation

Communication

Tools

Faiss

ScaNN

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Kubernetes

Airflow

Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of. Who We Are… When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of PlanetEarth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next… From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Staff MLE, Search & Personalization, Content Discovery

Location: Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, NewYork

About You

We’re looking for a Staff Machine Learning Engineer to lead the design and evolution of ML and AI driven Search algorithms for our global streaming app, HBO Max. This role will own the end-to-end search algorithm innovation from retrieval and ranking to personalization and experimentation, impacting how millions of users discover content globally. You will operate at the intersection of ML, systems, and product, bringing both deep expertise in search/relevance systems and strong technical leadership. You’ll help define the roadmap, drive architecture decisions, and elevate the team’s ability to build and iterate on high-quality search experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of large-scale model driven search algorithms including retrieval, ranking, and query understanding
• Define and evolve the technical strategy for search, balancing relevance, latency, and scalability
• Drive end-to-end ML systems: data pipelines, feature engineering, model training, experimentation, and serving
• Partner closely with product, data, and infrastructure teams to shape and execute on the search roadmap and user experience
• Mentor engineers and data scientists and raise the bar on algorithm development, system design, ML and engineering practices
• Identify and drive high-impact opportunities across search and personalization
• Motivate, inspire and create a culture of experimentation and data-driven innovation while constantly striving to be an advocate for doing what is right for our customers

Requirements

• 8+ years of industry experience, with 4+ years as tech lead experience (preferred)
• Deep expertise in search and/or ranking algorithms(e.g., retrieval, LTR, semantic search, query understanding, entity recognition)
• Strong experience building large-scale ML systems in production
• Proven ability to lead technical direction and influence across teams
• Experience with online experimentation and metrics-driven development
• Strong programming skills in Python (Java/Go a plus)
• Experience with distributed systems and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure)
• Solid understanding of data fundamentals (SQL, pipelines, feature stores)
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally
• Nice to Have: Experience with recommender systems or personalization
• Experience with NLP techniques
• Familiarity with vector search / ANN (Faiss, ScaNN, etc.)
• Experience in streaming, marketplace, or content discovery platforms

How We Get Things Done

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law. If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Compensation and Benefits

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees.

Pay Range: $182,280.00 - $338,520.00 salary per year.

Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards.

In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

If you’re a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery, a premier global media and entertainment company, offers audiences the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content, brands and franchises across television, film, streaming and gaming. The new company combines WarnerMedia's premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery's leading non-fiction and international entertainment and sports businesses.