Research Engineer - TikTok Ads Core ML, Ranking

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 317,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) + company match

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

TikTok is seeking innovative Research Engineers to join the Ads Core ML Ranking team, focusing on ML/RL/LLM to advance automatic delivery products and a global advertising business. You will help maximize efficiency and revenue across the ad funnel with state-of-the-art models.

Ideal candidates have strong ML/DL background, proficient in C/C++ and Python, and familiarity with TensorFlow or PyTorch. You will collaborate across product teams worldwide on frontier technologies and scalable systems.

Qualifications

• BS/MS degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Operational Research, Applied Mathematics or similar quantitative field.
• Research/industry experience in ML/DL/statistical models and applied math methods.
• Proficient in C/C++ and Python; familiar with data structures and algorithms.
• Experience with one of TensorFlow/PyTorch/MXNet.
• Familiar with online experimentation and big data systems like Hadoop and Spark.

Responsibilities

• Optimize efficiency across the entire advertising funnel (Recall/Rough-sort, Fine-sort, CTR/CVR).
• Research and develop a global advanced advertising delivery system using ML/DL, RL, LLM.
• Design and set up system frameworks and standards to continuously improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with product and business teams across scenarios with global impact.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Machine learning

Online experimentation

Big data concepts

Education

BS/MS in CS/Statistics/OR/Applied Mathematics

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MXNet

Job description

Responsibilities

TikTok Ads Core ML Team aims at creating automatic delivery products for the next generation and developing advertising as a global business, instead of just a monetization tool to consolidate the delivery funnel framework allowing multiple teams to iterate parallel.

We're looking for innovative Research Engineers focused on ML/RL/LLM or other relevant professional domains, to join our TikTok Ads Core ML Ranking team. Ads Core Ranking team specifically focuses on maximizing delivery system efficiency and revenue growth through state-of-the-art models and frameworks. Our research topics include but not limited to: Generative Retrieval and Large Recommendation Model, LLM-based Ranking Application, and Optimization of System Resource Allocation with ROI target.

• Optimize efficiency across the entire advertising funnel, including Recall&Rough-sort, Fine-sort(CTR/CVR), format/creative personalization and system resource allocation.
• Research & develop a global advanced advertising delivery system through frontier technologies, including ML/DL, RL, LLM and also scaling law in ads recommendation.
• Design & Set up system framework and standard to continuously improve overall efficiency and meet different vertical business needs.
• Work with product and business teams from various scenarios with global impact.

All of our team effort, is to continuously pursue and establish a world-leading ranking model & framework that always benefits our collaborators, users and customers to get better returns.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/MS degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Operation Research, Applied Mathematics, Physics or similar quantitative fields/with related experience.
• Research/industry experience in one or more of the following areas: machine learning, deep learning, statistical models and applied mathematical methods etc.
• Solid programming skills, proficient in C/C++ and Python. Familiar with basic data structure and algorithms.
• Familiar with at least one mainstream machine learning programming framework (TensorFlow/PyTorch/MXNet).
• Familiarity with online experimentation and analytics. Familiarity with big data systems including Hadoop and Spark.
• Curiosity towards learning and applying new technologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Participation in national math/coding competitions (ACM/Hacker Cup/Hash Code/USACO/IOI/CCPC etc.)
• Paper publications/citations in NLP/CV/Recommender System(RecSys/KDD/ICML/CVPR/NeurIPs, etc.)
• Experience in LLM, reinforcement learning, transfer learning, and counter-factual optimization is a plus.

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

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $162000 - $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.