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Principal Technical Recruiter

5 day weekGenerous Parental Leave$152k – $206kHybrid · Brooklyn, NY, USA

Company Description

Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. We build, power, and evolve the tools and technologies that connect millions of entrepreneurs with millions of buyers around the world. As an Etsy employee, you will tackle unique, meaningful, and large-scale problems alongside passionate coworkers, all the while making a rewarding impact and Keeping Commerce Human.

We believe exceptional companies are built by exceptional teams, and we're intentional about it. That means hiring great people, setting them up for success from day one, and giving them real reasons to grow their careers here. We invest in development that goes beyond promotions, and we foster the trust and relationships that help people do their best work together.

What's the role?

We're looking for a Principal Recruiter to own full lifecycle recruiting for Data Science and Machine Learning at Etsy. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, earns trust with deeply technical stakeholders, and holds a high bar for candidate quality. You'll partner closely with hiring managers across DS and ML to build pipelines, drive process, and close exceptional talent in a competitive market.

This is a full-time position reporting to the Talent Acquisition Manager.

What's this team like at Etsy?

  • You'll join a Talent Acquisition team that takes craft seriously — we care about candidate experience, data-informed decisions, and earning our seat at the table with the business.

  • We're a collaborative team that shares market intelligence, calibrates together, and holds each other to a high bar.

  • You'll be embedded in Etsy's broader People + Workplace organization, with strong cross-functional ties to Compensation, People Business Partners, and Workforce Planning.

  • Etsy's DS and ML org is doing real work: building recommendation systems, search ranking, and personalization at scale — you'll need to understand what you're recruiting for.

What does the day-to-day look like?

  • Own the full recruiting lifecycle for Data Science and Machine Learning roles — from intake through offer — with minimal direction.

  • Build and execute sourcing strategies for senior and highly technical talent, including applied scientists, ML engineers, and data scientists at all levels.

  • Act as a true partner to hiring managers: challenge misaligned expectations, bring market data, and push back when the process isn't set up to succeed.

  • Develop and maintain talent pipelines for roles that recur or require long lead times.

  • Track and report on pipeline health, time-to-fill, and quality-of-hire metrics using Workday Recruit.

  • Contribute to team-level improvements — process, tooling, or sourcing — not just your own desk.

  • Represent Etsy well at every candidate touchpoint. DS and ML candidates talk to each other.

  • Of course, this is just a sample of the kinds of work this role will require! You should assume that your role will encompass other tasks, too, and that your job duties and responsibilities may change from time to time at Etsy's discretion, or otherwise applicable with local law.

Qualities that will help you thrive in this role are:

  • 8+ years of full lifecycle recruiting experience, with significant time spent on technical roles in Data Science, Machine Learning, or AI.

  • You can hold a credible conversation about DS/ML — model types, research vs. applied roles, the difference between a data scientist and an ML engineer.

  • Strong client management: you run the process, you don't just support it. Hiring managers trust your judgment.

  • Track record of closing senior candidates in competitive markets (FAANG-adjacent or research-heavy environments).

  • Data fluency: you use pipeline metrics to diagnose problems and make the case for process changes.

  • Experience with Workday Recruit or a comparable enterprise ATS (Applicant Tracking System).

  • You know when to push back, and you do it well — with data, not just opinion.

  • Comfortable with ambiguity and able to prioritize across multiple open searches without losing quality

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to salary, you'll be eligible for an equity package, an annual performance bonus, and our competitive benefits that support you and your family. Base salary is determined by your location, skills, and experience.

Etsy uses two geographic pay zones to reflect the labor markets where we compete for talent: one called Geo-1, covering the New York City metropolitan area, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle metropolitan area, and one called Geo-2, covering all other U.S. locations. Salary ranges for this role vary by zone and are listed below.

Location

We prioritize candidates based within commutable distance of Etsy’s Brooklyn Office. Depending on proximity, we ask team members to come in once or twice per week. Remote candidates outside commutable distance may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the expectation of occasional travel to the office. Learn more details about our work modes and workplace safety policies here.

Salary Range:

• Geo-1: 152,000.00 - 206,000.00 USD Annual • Geo-2: 137,000.00 - 185,000.00 USD Annual

What's Next

If you're interested in joining the team at Etsy, please share your resume with us and feel free to include a cover letter if you'd like. As we hope you've seen already, Etsy is a place that values individuality and variety. We don't want you to be like everyone else -- we want you to be like you! So tell us what you're all about.

Our Promise

At Etsy, we believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace furthers relevance, resilience, and longevity. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. Etsy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship or immigration status, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status**, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law**. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation during any part of the interview or hiring process, please let your recruiter know and we will work with you to meet your needs. While Etsy supports visa sponsorship, sponsorship opportunities may be limited to certain roles and skills.