Job description
We’re hiring a Founding Data Science Manager to build a new team focused on transforming how customers discover and choose domain names. This role is a unique opportunity to shape a greenfield initiative at the intersection of machine learning, large language models (LLMs), natural language processing (NLP), data engineering, and search UX.
You will hire and lead a cross-functional team of Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and Data Engineers to build the next generation of our domain search experience — from intelligent name generation to real-time validation, ranking, personalization, and optimization.
This job reports to the Senior Software Engineering Manager, Domains Engineering. The Domains Engineering team follows a hybrid work schedule of three days/week in office.
You’ll Get To…
- Hire, lead, and mentor a team spanning Data Science, ML Engineering, and Data Engineering disciplines.
- Establish the technical vision and roadmap for domains search, working at the intersection of LLMs, traditional ML, heuristics, and user behavior modeling.
- Build systems for generating high-quality domain name suggestions, including prompt-tuned LLMs, keyword classifiers, rule-based engines, and internationalized naming models.
- Develop and deploy ranking and personalization models that consider relevance, brandability, uniqueness, and user context.
- Set up infrastructure for real-time validation, including domain availability, trademark conflicts, and social handle checks.
- Design and operationalize experimentation frameworks and analytics to capture user behavior, measure impact, and optimize search results.
- Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Design to define success metrics and deliver an innovative, intuitive, and responsible customer experience.
- Build reusable APIs and components that integrate domain search across the Squarespace platform.
Who We’re Looking For
- 6+ years of experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, or related fields, with 2+ years managing or tech-leading teams.
- A strong product mindset and are excited about building applied ML/LLM solutions that are both technically robust and user-centric.
- Experience starting or scaling cross-functional teams and enjoy building team culture, processes, and systems from the ground up.
- Experience balancing vision-setting with hands-on execution, especially in early stages of team formation.
- Experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP) — especially with tasks like text classification, semantic similarity, and generative models.
- Experience collaborating with diverse teams and translating ambiguous product problems into measurable technical outcomes.
Benefits & Perks
- A choice between medical plans with an option for 100% covered premiums
- Fertility and adoption benefits
- Access to supplemental insurance plans for additional coverage
- Headspace mindfulness app subscription
- Global Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement benefits with employer match
- Flexible paid time off
- 20 weeks for parental leave and up to 12 weeks to care for an ill family member
- Pretax commuter benefit
- Education reimbursement
- Employee donation match to community organizations
- 8 Global Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Dog-friendly workplace
- Free lunch and snacks
- Private rooftop
- Hack week twice per year
Cash Compensation Range: $185,500 - $299,000 USD
The base salary for this position will vary based on job-related criteria including relevant skills, experience, and location, among other factors.
In addition to the cash compensation above (which includes base salary and, where applicable for eligible roles, may include on-target commissions or overtime pay), Squarespace employees are eligible to be granted an option to purchase our common stock.
About Squarespace
Squarespace is a design-driven platform helping entrepreneurs build brands and businesses online. We empower millions of customers in more than 200 countries and territories with all the tools they need to create an online presence, build an audience, monetize, and scale their business. Our suite of products range from websites, domains, ecommerce, and marketing tools, as well as tools for scheduling with Acuity and creating and managing social media presence with Bio Sites and Unfold. Our team of more than 1,500 is headquartered in bustling New York City, with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Aveiro, Portugal, and coworking spaces in the UK, Netherlands, and Australia. For more information about our company culture, visit https://www.squarespace.com/about/careers.
Our Commitment
Today, more than a million people around the globe use Squarespace to share different perspectives and experiences with the world. Not only do we embrace and celebrate the diversity of our customers, but we also work toward the same in our employees. At Squarespace, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
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