Realtime Video Codec Research Engineer - Graduate (PhD)

TikTok; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a Research Engineer Graduate to advance realtime video codec optimizations for cutting-edge multimedia applications. You will design and develop commercial-grade codecs for 2D/3D, multiview, 360-degree, and light-field video, and optimize encoding/decoding for live-streaming at scale.

The role emphasizes research excellence, publication potential, and collaboration with product teams to move prototypes into production while maintaining visual quality under bitrate and latency

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include completing or having completed a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics or related field.
• Strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, software design and performance optimization.
• Solid understanding of modern image/video compression and processing algorithms.
• Excellent programming, debugging and optimization skills in C/C++ or other system-level languages.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop commercial-grade realtime video codec technologies for emerging media formats, including 2D/3D video, multiview video, 360-degree video, and light field video.
• Research, design, and optimize encoding/decoding frameworks for realtime live-streaming with focus on performance, scalability, and robustness.
• Develop advanced video encoding and processing algorithms for heterogeneous computing platforms.
• Research and implement visual quality-oriented video coding and processing algorithms to improve perceptual quality under practical bitrate and latency constraints.
• Prepare and maintain encoder/decoder interface documentation and specifications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transfer research prototypes into production systems.
• Track state-of-the-art in video coding and related standardization efforts to shape long-term direction.

Skills

PhD in CS/EE/Math/Stats

Algorithms & data structures

C/C++ programming

Research mindset

Communication skills

Education

PhD in CS/EE/Math/Stats

Job description

TikTok is seeking a Research Engineer Graduate to advance realtime video codec optimizations for cutting-edge multimedia applications. You will design and develop commercial-grade codecs for 2D/3D, multiview, 360-degree, and light-field video, and optimize encoding/decoding for live-streaming at scale.

The role emphasizes research excellence, publication potential, and collaboration with product teams to move prototypes into production while maintaining visual quality under bitrate and latency