Tech Lead, Research Scientist, Generative AI

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 254,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok's Intelligent Creation Team leads AI research in computer vision, graphics, and audio‑video technology, delivering core capabilities and industry solutions across TikTok's products and external partners.

We seek a researcher with 3+ years in CV and experience with diffusion models or GANs, plus strong Python and C/C++ skills, who can work independently and translate research into product features.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of research and practical experience in computer vision.
• Generative model customization, especially diffusion models and GANs.
• Multimodal and controlled image/video generation by text, audio, video.
• Publications in top venues preferred (CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICLR, SIGGRAPH).
• Strong coding skills in C/C++ and Python; able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research and development in computer vision and machine learning, focusing on generative AI.
• Transfer advanced technologies to the company's products.
• Explore new products with artificial intelligence technology at its core.

Skills

Computer vision

Generative AI

Python

C/C++

Independent work

Research experience

Job description

Responsibilities

About the team

The Intelligent Creation Team is the AI, special effects, and audio-video creation technology team, responsible for the core technology and business development. It covers a variety of technical fields, including deep learning, computer vision, graphics, speech, shooting and editing, special effects, client and server engineering, and provides cutting-edge content understanding, content creation, interactive experience, and consumption capabilities and industry solutions to other business lines within the company and external partners in various forms.

• Conduct cutting-edge research and development in computer vision and machine learning, especially in the areas of generative AI (e.g. image, video, or 3d generation).
• Transfer advanced technologies to the company's products;
• Explore new products with artificial intelligence technology at its core.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of research and practical experience in one or more areas of computer vision, including but not limited to
• Generative model customization and personalization, especially diffusion models and GANs
• Multimodal and controlled image and video generation by text, audio, video and other modalities.
• Preferring candidates with publications in top-tier venues such as CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICLR, SIGGRAPH or SIGGRAPH Asia, etc
• Highly competent in algorithms and programming; Strong coding skills in C/C++ and Python.
• Work and collaborate well with team members.
• Ability to work independently.

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 $254400 - $480000 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.