Principal Technical Recruiter

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 Inc. employee, whether a team member of Etsy or Depop, you will tackle unique, meaningful, and large-scale problems alongside passionate coworkers, all the while making a rewarding impact and Keeping Commerce Human.

Salary Range

$149,000.00 - $193,000.00

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. In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for an equity package, an annual performance bonus, and our competitive benefits that support you and your family as part of your total rewards package at Etsy.

For this role, we are considering candidates based in the United States. Candidates living within commutable distance of Etsy’s Brooklyn Office Hub may be the first to be considered. For candidates within commutable distance, Etsy requires in-office attendance once or twice per week depending on your

proximity to the office. Etsy offers different work modes to meet the variety of needs and preferences of our team. Learn more details about our work modes and workplace safety policies here.

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.
  
  

Additional Information

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. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know. While Etsy supports visa sponsorship, sponsorship opportunities may be limited to certain roles and skills.