Data Scientist, Transparency & Observability - Trust and Safety

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 179,000 - 354,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a Data Scientist to join the Trust & Safety team and develop scalable metrics, dashboards, and analytic solutions to improve platform safety and data reliability. You will partner with product, engineering, policy, and operations to build trusted measurement frameworks and enable transparent reporting.

The role emphasizes turning complex data into actionable insights, exploring AI-powered monitoring, and contributing to the long-term observability roadmap while handling

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Data Science, Data Analytics, Data Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large-scale data platforms (e.g. Hive, Spark).
• Proficiency in Python or R.
• Experience building data quality monitoring, reporting, or observability solutions.
• Experience designing metrics and developing dashboards or reporting tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Bachelor's degree or above in a quantitative discipline such as Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or Economics.

Responsibilities

• Build Trust & Safety Metrics & Monitoring: design and develop metrics across products and content types.
• Build dashboards and monitoring solutions for actionable insights into platform safety.
• Develop automated anomaly detection and alerting to identify data or operational issues early.
• Improve Data Quality: ensure Trust & Safety data is accurate, reliable, and delivered on time.
• Investigate data issues, identify root causes, and improve data quality processes.
• Partner with engineering teams to strengthen data reliability and governance.
• Partner Across Teams: collaborate with Product, Engineering, Policy, Operations, and Data teams to build trusted measurement frameworks.
• Help create consistent and scalable approaches to transparency reporting and observability.
• Explore AI-powered solutions for monitoring model performance and impact on platform safety.
• Turn complex data into clear insights that support strategic decisions.
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities through data analysis.
• Contribute to the long-term roadmap for Trust & Safety observability and measurement.

Skills

SQL

Python

R

Data quality monitoring

Dashboards

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or above in a quantitative discipline

Tools

Hive

Spark

Job description

Responsibilities

TikTok's Trust & Safety team works to create a safe and trusted platform for billions of people around the world. We combine policy, technology, and operations to detect harmful content, protect users, and promote healthy online communities.

The Transparency & Observability Data Science team builds the data, metrics, and analytical capabilities that help us understand how our enforcement systems perform. Our work supports both internal decision-making and external transparency reporting, while improving the reliability, explainability, and quality of Trust & Safety data.

As a Data Scientist on this team, you will develop scalable metrics, monitoring systems, and analytical solutions that provide greater visibility into platform safety and help drive continuous improvements.

• Build Trust & Safety Metrics & Monitoring:


• Design and develop metrics that measure Trust & Safety enforcement across different products and content types.


• Build dashboards and monitoring solutions that provide actionable insights into platform safety.


• Develop automated anomaly detection and alerting to identify data or operational issues early.


• Improve Data Quality:


• Help ensure Trust & Safety data is accurate, reliable, and delivered on time.


• Investigate data issues, identify root causes, and improve data quality processes.


• Partner with engineering teams to strengthen data reliability and governance.


• Partner Across Teams:


• Work closely with Product, Engineering, Policy, Operations, and Data teams to build trusted measurement frameworks.


• Help create consistent and scalable approaches to transparency reporting and observability.


• Explore AI-powered solutions for monitoring model performance and understanding their impact on platform safety.


• Drive Business Impact:


• Turn complex data into clear insights that support strategic decisions.


• Identify emerging risks and opportunities through data analysis.


• Contribute to the long-term roadmap for Trust & Safety observability and measurement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification(s):

• 5+ years of experience in Data Science, Data Analytics, Data Engineering, or a related quantitative field.


• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large-scale data platforms (e.g. Hive, Spark).


• Proficiency in Python or R.


• Experience building data quality monitoring, reporting, or observability solutions.


• Experience designing metrics and developing dashboards or reporting tools.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly.


• Bachelor's degree or above in a quantitative discipline such as Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or Economics.

Preferred Qualification(s):

• Experience in Trust & Safety, content moderation, risk management, or regulatory reporting.


• Experience building end-to-end monitoring or observability platforms.


• Familiarity with transparency reporting requirements such as DSA or other regulatory frameworks.


• Experience with anomaly detection, experimentation, causal inference, or time-series analysis.


• Experience driving data quality initiatives at scale.


• Experience working with global cross-functional teams.


• Passion for using data to improve online safety.

Trust & Safety

Content that this role interacts with includes images, video, and text related to everyday life, but it can also include (but is not limited to) bullying; hate speech; child safety; depictions of harm to self and others, and harm to animals. Hence, it is possible that this role will be exposed to harmful content on a daily basis.

TikTok recognises that keeping our platform safe for the TikTok communities is no ordinary job which can be both rewarding and psychologically demanding and emotionally taxing for some. This is why we are sharing the potential hazards, risks and implications in this unique line of work from the start, so our candidates are well informed before joining.

We are committed to the wellbeing of all our employees and promise to provide comprehensive and evidence-based programs, to promote and support physical and mental wellbeing throughout each employee's journey with us. We believe that wellbeing is a relationship and that everyone has a part to play, so we work in collaboration and consultation with our employees and across our functions in order to ensure a truly person-centred, innovative and integrated approach.

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

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.

TikTok Accommodation

TikTok 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/RA-request

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $179200 - $353600 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

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; and


3. Exercising sound judgment.