Principal Software Engineer - eBay Ads, Backend / Platform Engineering

eBay will report third-quarter earnings on Wednesday after market close. Analysts expect revenue to grow 10.5% year on year, up from 9.5% in the same quarter last year. In the previous quarter, the online marketplace beat revenue expectations with $3.13 billion, up 14.8%. Active buyers rose 1.5% to 136 million. Revenue guidance for the next quarter beat estimates, but earnings per share guidance missed. Analysts have mostly held their estimates over the past 30 days. eBay rarely misses Wall Street's revenue forecasts. Shares are up 10.8% over the last month, trading at $118.96 against an average analyst price target of $116.92.

eBay reveals another layoff round even as business improves. eBay is making another major reduction to its workforce, even as the online shopping giant expects its business to perform better than previously anticipated. The company plans to eliminate approximately 9% of its global workforce as part of a restructuring to direct resources toward its strategic priorities, as revealed in an Oct. 22 regulatory filing. The company expects to incur between $130 million and $150 million in restructuring costs, largely related to severance and employee benefits, with the workforce reduction expected to be mostly completed by March 2027. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at redirecting resources toward eBay's strategic priorities and supporting long-term growth. eBay said savings from the restructuring would support future investments, although it did not identify the specific business units that would benefit. The move will affect around 1,000 employees, a company spokesperson confirmed the count to Reuters. Most of those charges will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the workforce reduction expected to be mostly completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to local requirements. The layoffs come despite an improving business outlook. In August, eBay projected third-quarter revenue of $3.07 billion to $3.12 billion and gross merchandise volume of $22 billion to $22.4 billion. In its Oct. 22 SEC filing, the company said it now expects financial results for the quarter ended September 30 to exceed its earlier guidance. The layoffs are the company's second major workforce reduction this year and follow the 800 job cuts announced in February. eBay layoffs follow major California office closure. The latest cuts add to an ongoing restructuring effort that has already affected hundreds of eBay employees in California. In April, I covered that eBay was preparing to close its San Francisco office at 300 Mission Street, with operations scheduled to wind down by Sept. 30. California WARN filings identified 243 layoffs at the company's San Jose headquarters and an additional 28 layoffs at its San Francisco office. A separate notice reported on the relocation of 198 San Francisco employees to San Jose. The company previously said the office consolidation was related to the expiration of its San Francisco lease. With the latest announcement, eBay has disclosed plans for two major rounds of workforce reductions in 2026, as well as an office closure and subsequent relocations. eBay layoffs 9% of its workforce, following earlier 800 job cuts. eBay's growing business adds twist to layoffs. The restructuring comes as the company expands its presence in categories including secondhand fashion, collectibles and refurbished merchandise. eBay reported second-quarter revenue of $3.1 billion, an increase of 15% from a year earlier. Gross merchandise volume also rose 15% to $22.4 billion. The company has also continued to invest in its resale business, including the acquisition of Depop, the secondhand fashion marketplace popular with younger shoppers. eBay completed the acquisition on July 30, paying approximately $1.4 billion, including preliminary purchase-price adjustments. More Layoffs: The investment reflects a broader shift in how consumers shop. According to eBay's 2026 Recommerce Report, released Oct. 7, 70% of surveyed consumers globally said secondhand shopping helps them manage household budgets. Another 84% ranked saving money among their top three reasons for purchasing secondhand products. eBay's strategy increasingly centers on attracting shoppers seeking value while expanding services that enable buyers and sellers to transact. The company's latest filing indicates that savings from the restructuring are intended to support future strategic and operating initiatives. However, eBay also acknowledged risks associated with the restructuring, including possible disruptions to its operations and its ability to serve buyers and sellers. The company has not announced any related changes to selling fees, buyer protections or other marketplace policies.