Research Engineer, Video Processing and Codec(Realtime Codec Optimizations)

TikTok; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking exceptional researchers for its Realtime Codec Optimization Team in California. You will design and optimize commercial real-time video codecs for 2D/3D, multiview, and 360-degree formats, and develop encoding/decoding frameworks for live streaming.

Ideal candidates bring strong CS fundamentals, deep knowledge of compression algorithms, and hands-on C/C++ expertise to advance video quality and performance across heterogeneous hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in computer science/electrical engineering/mathematics/statistics and related disciplines.
• Strong Computer Science fundamentals (algorithms, data structures, software design) and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of state-of-art compression algorithms.
• Excellent programming, debugging, and optimization skills in one or more general-purpose programming languages including but not limited to: C/C++
• Collaborative mindset, with solid written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop commercial realtime video codecs for 2D/3D video, Multiview video, 360-degree video, light field, et al.
• Design and develop encoding and decoding framework and optimization algorithms for live-streaming usecases
• Research and develop video encoding algorithms in heterogeneous platforms
• Research and develop visual quality-oriented video coding and processing algorithms
• Prepare encoder/decoder interface documentations
• Participate in the design and implementation of self-developed transmission protocols

Skills

C/C++ programming

Algorithms

Data structures

Problem solving

Collaborative mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree or above in CS/EE/Math/Stats

Tools

NEON/SIMD

Video codecs

Job description

Responsibilities

Team Introduction

Our Realtime Codec Optimization Team’s mission is to promote cutting-edge research in multimedia (including, but not limited to compression, image/video data processing), and to transfer technologies into our live-streaming products for better serving our hundreds of millions of users. We are looking for exceptional individuals from all areas of video compression and processing, who have a track record of research excellence, a passion to shape the future of video processing, and the potential to become an outstanding leader in the field.

• Design and develop commercial realtime video codecs for 2D/3D video, Multiview video, 360-degree video, light field, et al.


• Design and develop encoding and decoding framework and optimization algorithms for live-streaming usecases


• Research and develop video encoding algorithms in heterogeneous platforms


• Research and develop visual quality-oriented video coding and processing algorithms


• Prepare encoder/decoder interface documentations


• Participate in the design and implementation of self-developed transmission protocols

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in computer science/electrical engineering/mathematics/statistics and related disciplines


• Strong Computer Science fundamentals (algorithms, data structures, software design) and problem-solving skills


• Good understanding of state-of-art compression algorithms


• Excellent programming, debugging, and optimization skills in one or more general-purpose programming languages including but not limited to: C/C++


• Collaborative mindset, with solid written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in development of image/video related applications, such as live streaming, video conference, offline transcoding


• Familiar with Neural Network-based image/video coding and processing


• Familiar with one of the video compression standards, e.g., AVS/H.264/H.265/VVC/AV1 and its reference software


• Familiar with NEON/SIMD, and multi-threading design


• Experience in international standardization work


• Rich experience in video coding standards (e.g., for image/video compression, file format, system)


• Publications in the academic conferences or journals in the subject

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 $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:


• Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;


• Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and


• Exercising sound judgment.