Job description
Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s largest work marketplace, connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals worldwide. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies trust Upwork’s platform to access expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive meaningful business outcomes.
Upwork’s AI-powered platform has facilitated over $20 billion in economic opportunity for professionals worldwide. With professionals spanning 10,000+ skills, including AI and machine learning, software development, sales and marketing, customer support, finance and accounting, and more, Upwork empowers businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams.
We’re looking for a Senior Product Manager to lead the evolution of how users discover opportunity and talent through Upwork’s search and recommendation systems. In this highly technical and strategic role, you will shape the intelligent algorithms behind our global marketplace—owning end-to-end experiences in query understanding, indexing, personalization, and relevance. You’ll work closely with world-class engineers, data scientists, and ML experts to build next-generation matching systems that directly impact how millions of freelancers and clients connect. If you’re passionate about search, personalization, and real-world AI applications, this is your opportunity to make a massive impact.
Responsibilities
Lead the development of AI-powered search and recommendation systems that deliver personalized, relevant, and high-quality matches across the marketplace
Define and drive the product roadmap for discovery experiences, prioritizing scalable models and impactful innovations
Collaborate with cross-functional partners—engineering, data science, machine learning, design, and go-to-market teams—to deliver seamless, performant, and measurable solutions
Leverage cutting-edge AI/ML techniques such as neural retrieval, personalized ranking, and NLP-driven intent parsing to solve real user problems
Implement robust A/B testing frameworks to evaluate system performance, inform decisions, and continuously improve user outcomes
Define and monitor key product metrics; proactively identify areas for optimization and growth
Stay ahead of industry trends in search, recommendation systems, and generative AI, bringing new insights and best practices to the team
What it takes to catch our eye
Proven experience as a Product Manager working on search, recommendation engines, or large-scale information retrieval systems
Strong technical fluency, especially around ranking models, indexing strategies, and ML systems, with the ability to collaborate deeply with engineering and data teams
Demonstrated success driving A/B testing programs and incorporating learnings into iterative development cycles
Ability to distill abstract customer and business needs into clear, actionable product requirements
Effective communicator and collaborator who brings cross-functional teams together toward shared outcomes in a fast-paced environment
Come change how the world works.
At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.
Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.
We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.
Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. to learn more about life at Upwork.
Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.
Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.
The annual base salary range for this position is displayed below. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salary for this position, and individual base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Additionally, this position is eligible for the annual bonus plan or sales incentive plan and eligibility to participate in our long term equity incentive program.
Annual Base Compensation
$151,500—$215,500 USD
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