Senior AI Infra Engineer, TikTok E-commerce Algorithm Architecture & Engineering

TikTok USDS Joint Venture; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 178,000 - 342,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC in Seattle seeks an experienced ML/LLM infrastructure engineer to lead the design, implementation, and operation of scalable ML/LLM systems. You will collaborate across teams to drive complex engineering efforts and align technical strategies.

The role emphasizes innovation and staying at the cutting edge of LLM serving stacks, focusing on latency, throughput, and memory management while delivering reliable, high-performance systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience building, training, and deploying complex and scalable Machine Learning systems.
• Strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, and software design patterns.
• Solid programming skills with a strong understanding of ML/LLM system internals.
• Proven experience in managing technical projects and delivering results.

Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Implementation: Lead the design, implementation, and operation of scalable, reliable ML/LLM infrastructure.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively across teams and stakeholders to drive engineering efforts.
• Innovation: Drive technical innovation by integrating emerging technologies for cutting-edge infrastructure.

Skills

Machine Learning systems

System architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

LLM internals

Algorithms & data structures

Software design patterns

LLM serving frameworks

Project delivery

End-to-end inference optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

vLLM

SGLang

Job description

Responsibilities

About the Team:
We are the TikTok E-commerce Algorithm Architecture & Engineering team (USDS). Our mission is to supercharge the efficiency and effectiveness of e-commerce algorithm services. We build user-friendly tools, elegant architecture, and robust, high-performance systems that drive GMV growth for TikTok E-commerce. Join us in building the most advanced e-commerce LLM/ML system & infrastructure in the industry.

Responsibilities:

• System Architecture & Implementation: Lead the design, implementation, and operation of scalable, reliable, and high-performance ML/LLM infrastructure and systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively across various teams, organizations, and internal/external stakeholders to drive complex engineering efforts and align technical strategies.
• Innovation: Drive technical innovation by identifying and integrating emerging technologies and novel ideas to keep our infrastructure at the cutting edge.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience building, training, and deploying complex and scalable Machine Learning systems.
• Strong foundation in Computer Science, including algorithms, data structures, and software design patterns. Excellent problem‑solving abilities.
• Solid programming skills with a strong understanding of ML/LLM system internals.
• Proven experience in managing technical projects and delivering results.

Preferred Qualifications

• In‑depth experience with Large Language Model (LLM) systems and infrastructure.
• Proficiency with high-performance LLM serving frameworks (e.g., vLLM, SGLang).
• Deep understanding of the full LLM serving stack and end-to-end inference optimization (latency, throughput, memory management).

About USDS

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision‑making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.

On‑site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility—as especially in areas like real‑time decision‑making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in‑person schedule up to 5 days a week.

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.

USDS Reasonable Accommodation

USDS 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/USDS-RA

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $177688 - $341734 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;
3. Exercising sound judgment.