Research Engineer, Data Lake Infrastructure & Data Analytics Graduate (AML-Ark-US) - 2027 Start (PhD)

ByteDance; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

ByteDance in Seattle is seeking a Research Engineer for Data Lake Infrastructure and Data Analytics (AML-Ark-US) from 2027 start. You will build and maintain the data lake powering model and agent development, optimize storage and query performance, and develop large-scale batch and streaming pipelines.

You will own data quality and governance and partner with algorithm teams to support the data flywheel behind continuously improving systems.

Qualifications

• Must have or be completing a PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• Solid fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems.
• Strong programming skills in at least one mainstream language, plus proficiency in SQL.
• Hands-on experience with a big data engine or lakehouse storage system.
• Demonstrated ability through substantial projects, internships, research, or open-source work.
• Understanding of query engine and lakehouse internals, including columnar storage and query optimization.
• Experience with streaming pipelines or OLAP systems.
• Experience analyzing LLM or agent logs and traces.
• Experience with cloud-native infrastructure and performance tuning at scale.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the data lake that powers model and agent development, including storage design, query performance, and cost efficiency.
• Develop large-scale batch and streaming pipelines that turn raw model and agent logs into analysis-ready datasets.
• Build analytics and metrics platforms that let algorithm and product teams find actionable insights quickly.
• Own data quality and governance, and partner with algorithm teams to support the data flywheel behind continuously improving systems.

Skills

Data structures

Distributed systems

Programming skills

SQL

Big data engine

Lakehouse

Projects/Internships/Open-source

Education

PhD in CS/SE/DS

Job description

Research Engineer, Data Lake Infrastructure & Data Analytics Graduate (AML-Ark-US) - 2027 Start (PhD)

Location:

Seattle

Team:

Technology

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Code:

A195063A

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Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the data lake that powers model and agent development, including storage design, query performance, and cost efficiency.
• Develop large-scale batch and streaming pipelines that turn raw model and agent logs into analysis-ready datasets.
• Build analytics and metrics platforms that let algorithm and product teams find actionable insights quickly.
• Own data quality and governance, and partner with algorithm teams to support the data flywheel behind continuously improving systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:- Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a PhD's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
• Solid fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems.
• Strong programming skills in at least one mainstream language, plus proficiency in SQL.
• Hands-on experience with a big data engine or lakehouse storage system.
• Demonstrated ability through substantial projects, internships, research, or open-source work.
• Preferred Qualifications:- Understanding of query engine and lakehouse internals, including columnar storage and query optimization.
• Experience with streaming pipelines or OLAP systems.
• Experience analyzing LLM or agent logs and traces.
• Experience with cloud-native infrastructure and performance tuning at scale.

Job Information

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $153900 - $300960 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 Us

Founded in 2012, ByteDance's mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. With a suite of more than a dozen products, including TikTok, Lemon8, CapCut and Pico as well as platforms specific to the China market, including Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, ByteDance has made it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.

Why Join ByteDance

Inspiring creativity is at the core of ByteDance's mission. Our innovative products are 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 enrich life - a mission we work towards every day.

As ByteDancers, 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. 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

ByteDance 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 ByteDance, our mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. 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.

Reasonable Accommodation

ByteDance 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