Applied Scientist Trust and Safety
153k - 220k USD
Remote
Full Time
#Machine Learning
#Trust
#Python
#NLP
#Anomaly Detection
#Statistics
At Thumbtack, we help millions of people confidently manage their home projects. Our platform serves as an essential resource for homeowners across the U.S., providing personalized guidance and AI-driven tools to connect them with a community of 300,000 local service businesses. Whether it is an urgent repair or a major home improvement, we make it easier for people to find the right help. We are looking for mission-driven individuals to join us in building a more reliable and secure marketplace.
The role
We are seeking a Senior Applied Scientist to join our Trust and Safety team on a full-time, remote basis. This is a high-impact position for an experienced professional who is passionate about using machine learning to protect our platform. You will play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of our marketplace by identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring that every interaction between customers and professionals remains safe and trustworthy.
Core responsibilities
- Lead and execute applied science initiatives that directly enhance our ability to detect fraud, manage spam, and enforce platform policies.
- Architect, build, and deploy robust machine learning systems into our production environment to safeguard user interactions.
- Design rigorous experiments to evaluate model performance, focusing on key metrics like lead quality and the reduction of abusive activity.
Skills and experience
To succeed in this role, you should have a strong background in data science and a proactive approach to problem-solving. We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Expertise in machine learning techniques, specifically classification, anomaly detection, and natural language processing (NLP).
- Proficiency in Python for coding, debugging, and model development.
- A solid foundation in statistics, including causal inference, optimization, and experimental design.
- The ability to communicate complex technical concepts to cross-functional partners and drive impactful project roadmaps.
Compensation and benefits
We offer competitive pay based on your location within the United States:
- For candidates in the San Francisco, San Jose, New York City, or Seattle metros: $179,600 - $219,500.
- For candidates in Austin, Washington DC, or the states of California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Washington: $161,600 - $197,600.
- For all other U.S. locations: $152,600 - $186,600.
In addition to your salary, you will enjoy the flexibility of a remote work environment.
How to apply
If you are excited about the challenge of building safer marketplaces through advanced technology, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application through our careers portal to begin the process. We are committed to an inclusive hiring experience and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.








