Machine Learning Engineer - Ads Core and Commerce Ads

TikTok USDS Joint Venture; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Holidays

Job summary

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer/Data Scientist to advance shop ads performance on the TikTok platform. You will build scalable ML models, experiment with new features, and collaborate with product teams on next-generation shopping experiences.

This role emphasizes advertising optimization, data-driven decision making, and cross-functional teamwork. Applicants should have strong Python/SQL skills, experience with big data frameworks, and a solid foundation in

Qualifications

• Proficient in SQL and Python with experience in data manipulation.
• Strong understanding of machine learning concepts including feature engineering and model evaluation.
• Experience with big data processing frameworks (Hadoop, Spark) and distributed computing for large datasets.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills for complex and unstructured data.
• Master's or advanced degree in CS/DS/STATS or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build scalable ML systems and models to improve ad ranking quality and advertiser strategies.
• Explore, develop and experiment with new features to improve model accuracy.
• Understand ads platform objectives and use ML to enhance ads relevance and delivery.
• Collaborate with Global teams, Product Managers, Designers, and other disciplines on next-gen shopping experiences.

Skills

SQL

Python

Data manipulation

Machine learning

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's or advanced degree in CS/DS/STATS

Tools

Hadoop

Spark

Distributed computing

Job description

Responsibilities

The TikTok USDS shop Ads team is dedicated to blending advertiser focus with technical expertise. Our mission is to enhance shop ads—both open-loop and closed-loop—to establish TikTok US as an essential growth engine for businesses of all sizes and a top destination for consumers to discover and buy products, content, and services. We are crucial to driving TikTok's ad revenue and are committed to developing the next-generation shop ad solutions for the platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Build highly scalable machine learning systems and state-of-the-art machine learning models to improve ad ranking quality and optimize advertisers' marketing strategies. Examples include but are not limited to click through rate prediction, conversion rate prediction, intelligent format selection and user journey optimization.
• Explore, develop and experiment with new features to improve model accuracy.
• Understand ads platform objectives and take full advantage of modern machine learning to improve ads relevance, quality, and quantity delivered to end-users.
• Collaborate with Global counterpart, Product Managers, Designers, and other disciplines to explore the next generation of shopping experiences on TikTok.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Highly self-motivated to drive business growth and foster technical advancement.
• Proficient in using SQL and Python and experience with data manipulation.
• Experience with big data processing frameworks (e.g., Hadoop, Spark) and distributed computing for efficient data mining on large-scale datasets.
• Solid understanding of machine/deep learning concepts and techniques, including feature engineering, model evaluation, and optimization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to handle and derive insights from complex and unstructured datasets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• 5+ years experience as a Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, and experience in causal machine learning is preferred.
• Work experience in user growth, marketing algorithms, recommendation algorithms, advertisement algorithms or related fields is preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and convey technical concepts to 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 $136800 - $359720 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.