(General Hire) Machine Learning Engineer Graduate (Performance Monetization) - 2027 Start (PhD)[...]

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 317,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a PhD-ready Machine Learning Engineer Graduate to join the General Hire track for Performance Monetization, starting in 2027 in San Jose. You will contribute to large-scale ads systems and monetization products, applying advanced ML methods to optimize targeting, measurement, and revenue growth.

As part of the GMPT-Performance Monetization team, you will collaborate with product and tech partners, tackle challenging problems, and pursue bold ideas with onboarding commitments

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (completed or within 12 months of graduation).
• Strong ML theory and practice with programming proficiency.
• Expertise in Go, C/C++, Python; knowledge of ML frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Participate in development of large-scale ads systems and monetization platforms.
• Develop state-of-the-art applied machine learning projects.
• Own targeting components within the TikTok ads ecosystem.
• Collaborate with product and business teams on vision.

Skills

Machine learning

Go

C/C++

Python

Education

PhD in CS/related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MXNet

Job description

Discover a career that energizes and excites you every day.

@2026 TikTok

Technology

(General Hire) Machine Learning Engineer Graduate (Performance Monetization) - 2027 Start (PhD)

Location:

San Jose

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Code:

A21080A

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Responsibilities

Global Monetization Product and Technology teams are building the next‑generation monetization platforms to help millions of customers grow their businesses, utilizing our products like TikTok. Our team develops a wide variety of advertisements for numerous uses including feeds, live streaming, branding, measurement, targeting, search, vertical solutions, creative solutions, and business integrity. We are looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a graduate, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth. Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding date by the end of the year. Please state your availability and graduation date clearly in your resume. What is the General Hire? If you're applying under the General HIre track for the GMPT-Performance Monetization organization, your resume will be reviewed by all the subteams, and we'll help identify one or more teams that are the best match for you. Why General Hire? This process gives you broader exposure and increases your chances of finding the right team fit!

• Participate in the development of a large-scale Ads system.
• Responsible for the development of state-of-the-art applied machine learning projects.
• Own key targeting components or strategies in the TikTok ads monetization ecosystem.
• Work with product and business teams on product vision.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a PhD degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline (completed, or expecting to graduate within 12 months).
• Experience in and good theoretical grounding in machine learning concepts and techniques.
• Excellent programming, debugging, and optimization skills in one or more general purpose programming languages, including but not limited to: Go, C/C++, Python.
• Experience in one or more of the following frameworks: Tensorflow/PyTorch/MXNet, etc
• Ability to think critically and to formulate solutions to problems in a clear and concise way.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ads system, recommendation, searching, ranking, etc.

Job Information

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $162000 - $316800 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; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.

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