Machine Learning Engineer Graduate (TikTok Vertical Recommendation) - 2027 Start

TikTok Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 317,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Paid holidays

Sick days

Paid personal time

Job summary

TikTok Inc. is seeking an ML Engineer to design, implement, and scale retrieval and ranking models for TikTok's vertical‑business recommendations, partnering with algorithm teams to improve relevance and engagement across large datasets.

You will develop end‑to‑end ML solutions, deploy models online, run A/B tests, and productionize advanced techniques such as sequence modeling and multi‑task learning. Strong CS fundamentals and experience with PyTorch/TensorFlow, and Spark/Flink are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or related field.
• Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and ML fundamentals.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, Go or Java.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement, train, and iterate ML models for TikTok vertical business recommendations.
• Deliver end-to-end ML solutions from feature engineering to online deployment.
• Run and analyze A/B experiments and drive launches.
• Productionize state-of-the-art techniques like sequence modeling and multi-task learning.
• Collaborate with algorithm teams, backend engineers, data scientists, and product teams.

Skills

Data structures

Algorithms

ML fundamentals

Python

C++

Go

Java

Communication

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Spark

Flink

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Spark

Flink

Job description

Responsibilities

• Implement, train, and iterate on retrieval and ranking models (candidate generation, coarse/fine ranking, re-ranking) for TikTok vertical‑business recommendation scenarios, in close partnership with algorithm teams.
• Deliver end‑to‑end machine learning engineering solutions: from model implementation and feature engineering on large‑scale user behavior data to online deployment.
• Run and analyze A/B experiments; drive launches that improve core business metrics.
• Productionize state‑of‑the‑art techniques such as sequence modeling, multi‑task/multi‑objective learning, and LLM‑enhanced recommendation in large‑scale systems.
• Collaborate closely with algorithm teams, backend engineers, data scientists, and product teams.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and machine learning fundamentals.
• Proficiency in at least one general‑purpose programming language such as Python, C++, Go, or Java.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; curiosity about technology and problem‑solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or research experience in recommendation, search, or ads; publications in relevant venues are a plus.
• Hands‑on experience with a deep learning framework such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience with large‑scale data processing (Spark/Flink) or distributed model training.
• Agile and quick learner with self‑motivation, a sense of ownership, and creative problem‑solving abilities.

Job Information

[For Pay Transparency] Compensation Description (annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $128000 - $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.