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

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

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer Graduate for the San Jose location to join the vertical recommendation team. You will implement, train, and iterate on retrieval and ranking models, handling feature engineering from user behavior data to online deployment.

You will collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and product teams to run experiments, analyze results, and deploy scalable solutions, including advanced sequence modeling and LLM-enhanced techniques.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and machine learning fundamentals.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, Go, or Java.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Internship or research experience in recommendation, search, or ads; publications in relevant venues are a plus.
• Hands-on experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience with large-scale data processing (Spark/Flink) or distributed model training.

Responsibilities

• Implement, train, and iterate on retrieval and ranking models for TikTok vertical-business recommendations.
• Deliver end-to-end ML engineering solutions from model implementation to online deployment.
• Run and analyze A/B experiments; drive launches that improve core metrics.
• Productionize techniques such as sequence modeling, multi-task learning, and LLM-enhanced recommendation.
• Collaborate with algorithm teams, backend engineers, data scientists, and product teams.

Skills

Data structures & algorithms

ML fundamentals

Python / C++ / Go / Java

Communication & collaboration

Internship/research in rec/s earch/ads

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Spark

Flink

Job description

Discover a career that energizes and excites you every day.

@2026 TikTok

Technology

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

Location:

San Jose

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Code:

A172736A

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Responsibilities

About the TeamThe Recommendation Architecture team powers personalized recommendations for TikTok's vertical businesses. Our team consists of machine learning engineers and system engineers who support and innovate on production recommendation models serving hundreds of millions of users. We work at the intersection of machine learning and large-scale distributed systems, in a fast-paced, collaborative and impact-driven culture where your work directly shapes what users discover on TikTok every day.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.Candidates can apply to a maximum of two positions and will be considered for jobs in the order you apply. The application limit is applicable to our Company and its affiliates' jobs globally. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis - we encourage you to apply early.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

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.

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