Senior Data Scientist, Ads - USDS

TikTok USDS Joint Venture; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 329,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Short-term and long-term disability

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Paid holidays

Paid sick days

Paid Personal Time

Job summary

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC in San Jose, CA, is seeking a senior data scientist for the Monetization Products team. You will work with large, complex datasets to solve non-routine analysis problems, prototype scalable analysis pipelines, and deepen understanding of TikTok data structures and metrics to inform product development.

You will present findings to stakeholders using clear visuals, forecast impact, and contribute to methods for improving ads quality and monetization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with statistical data analysis (linear models, multivariate analysis, stochastic models).
• Experience with statistical software (R, Python, MATLAB) and database languages (SQL).
• BA, Master's degree or PhD in a quantitative discipline or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with large, complex datasets to solve non-routine analysis problems and deliver results.
• Prototype analysis pipelines to provide insights at scale.
• Develop knowledge of TikTok data structures and metrics for product development.
• Interact cross-functionally, presenting findings with cost-benefit, forecasting, and experiment analysis.
• Research and develop analysis, forecasting, and optimization methods to improve ad product quality.

Skills

Statistical data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Data visualization

Education

BA/MA/PhD in quantitative discipline

Tools

R

Python

MATLAB

SQL

Job description

Responsibilities

About the team

We're the TikTok Monetization Products data science team, who enables and champions data driven decision making. Our Vision is to become the world class data science team, where data is used rigorously to drive all decision making. Our Mission is to drive monetization and sustainable revenue growth for TikTok through data science.

• Work with large, complex data sets. Solve difficult, non-routine analysis problems, applying advanced analytical methods as needed. Conduct analysis that includes data gathering and requirements specification, processing, analysis, ongoing deliverables, and presentations.
• Build and prototype analysis pipelines iteratively to provide insights at scale.
• Develop comprehensive knowledge of TikTok data structures and metrics, advocating for changes where needed for product development.
• Interact cross-functionally, making business recommendations (e.g., cost-benefit, forecasting, experiment analysis) with effective presentations of findings at multiple levels of stakeholders through visual displays of quantitative information.
• Research and develop analysis, forecasting, and optimization methods to improve the quality of Tiktok ads products.

Qualifications

• BA, Master's degree or PhD in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Statistics, Operations Research, Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics) or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of relevant work experience, including expertise with statistical data analysis such as linear models, multivariate analysis, stochastic models, sampling methods.
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB) and database languages (e.g., SQL)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Ads, Recommendation, E-Comm, Search etc. is a plus
• Demonstrated leadership and self-direction. Willingness to both teach others and learn new techniques.
• Demonstrated skills in selecting the right statistical tools given a data analysis problem. Effective written and verbal communication skills.

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 - 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 $176356 - $329334 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.

• 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.