Data Scientist - Financial Crimes

TikTok USDS Joint Venture; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC seeks a highly motivated data scientist to oversee AML and sanctions compliance initiatives. You will develop ML models, analyze large data sets, and design dashboards to communicate findings, partnering with product, engineering, and operations across U.S.

and global teams. The role emphasizes threshold tuning, scenario design, and scalable ML solutions in a fast-paced, security-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, CS Engineering or equivalent quantitative field.
• 3+ years of experience in data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning with a focus on financial crime compliance.
• Proficiency in Python, HQL, Neo4J, Spark and ML libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• Experience with data visualization tools for interactive dashboards and reports (Tableau, Power BI, matplotlib).
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with large datasets to extract actionable insights.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities grounded in evidence and logic.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize ML models to detect money laundering, fraud and financial crimes.
• Analyze large transactional and user data to identify suspicious patterns.
• Support transaction monitoring, sanction, KYC and high-risk investigations with ad-hoc data analysis.
• Design dashboards and reporting tools to communicate insights from detection efforts.
• Collaborate with product, engineering and operations to integrate ML solutions into systems.
• Document threshold tuning, scenario design, and detection methodologies.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Financial crime compliance

Education

Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, Computer Science Engineering or similar quantitative field

Tools

Python

HQL

Neo4J

Spark

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Responsibilities

USDS Financial Crime Compliance is responsible for overseeing and operationalizing all aspects related to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions Compliance activities related to TikTok USDS's operations. Collaborating cross-functionally with stakeholders across the U.S. and globally, we address complex and cutting-edge challenges, which include the identification of money-laundering, terrorist financing and sanction violations. We seek a highly motivated, experienced, and dynamic professional to join our team.

• Develop, implement, and optimize machine learning models to detect money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes, leveraging techniques such as anomaly detection, clustering, and predictive modeling.
• Analyze large volumes of transactional and user data to identify suspicious patterns or behaviors indicative of financial crimes.
• Perform data analysis to support transaction monitoring, sanction, KYC and high-risk investigation teams, including performing ad-hoc data analysis, that assist Financial Crime Compliance leadership in decision-making and strategic planning processes.
• Design and implement data visualization dashboards and reporting tools to communicate insights and findings from financial crime detection efforts.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to design, develop, validate, and implement AML scenarios, and conduct threshold tuning to optimize performance.
• Document and manage projects related to threshold tuning, scenario design, and detection methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, and operations to integrate machine learning solutions into existing systems and processes.
• Perform special projects, and additional duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, Computer Science Engineering or a similar Quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience
• 3+ years of experience in data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning , with a focus on financial crime compliance or related domains.
• Proficiency in programming languages Python, HQL, Neo4J, Spark as well as experience with machine learning libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with data visualization tools and techniques for creating interactive dashboards and reports (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, matplotlib).
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work with large datasets to extract actionable insights.
• Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate information objectively, and communicate well-reasoned conclusions based on evidence and logic.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. is a plus
• Familiarity with big data technologies and distributed computing platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark).
• Experience working in financial crime compliance, including anti-money laundering (AML).
• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate technical concepts into clear and concise insights for non-technical stakeholders.

About USDS

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.

On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.

Why Join Us

Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.

We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.

Diversity & Inclusion

TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.

USDS Reasonable Accommodation

USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $114000 - $240000 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).

The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:

1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems;
3. Exercising sound judgment.