Vision Algorithm Engineer - PICO Lab (San Jose) San Jose Regular

ByteDance; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 218,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

Wellbeing benefits

Holidays & PTO

Job summary

ByteDance's Pico Lab in San Jose is seeking a Vision Algorithm Engineer to advance end-to-end imaging pipelines for VR/AR devices. You will design on-device and cloud-friendly algorithms, optimize for real-time performance, and collaborate across camera, display, platform, and product teams.

You bring a strong CV/ML background, proficiency in Python and C++, and hands-on experience deploying models on devices. A PhD/masters or higher is preferred, with 5+ years in related work.

Qualifications

• Strong background in computer vision, imaging, and machine learning with hands-on algorithm development experience.
• Proficiency in Python and C++, with experience in PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience deploying or optimizing models for on-device inference.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in a related field, with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vision algorithms across imaging and perception, including image enhancement, restoration, scene understanding, detection, classification, and visual reasoning.
• Develop on-device algorithms optimized for real-time performance, power efficiency, and memory constraints on wearable devices and smartphones.
• Explore and prototype cloud-based vision algorithms and large-scale models for semantic understanding and cross-device intelligence.
• Own model deployment and optimization, including quantization, compression, and hardware-aware acceleration.
• Balance system-level trade-offs between on-device and cloud execution, considering latency, privacy, robustness, and user experience.
• Collaborate with camera, display, platform, and product teams to deliver high-quality capture-to-display experiences.
• Contribute to technical design reviews, documentation, and long-term imaging technology roadmaps.

Skills

Computer vision

Python

C++

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Model deployment

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

Vision Algorithm Engineer- Pico Lab- San Jose

Location:

San Jose

Team:

Technology

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Code:

A174273

Responsibilities

About TeamPICO’s Imaging Systems & Human Engineering team is looking for passionate and versatile imaging experts to work on next‑generation imaging algorithms that deliver top‑tier visual experiences across PICO products, from camera capture to display rendering. Our team focuses on the end‑to‑end imaging pipeline, bridging camera systems, display technologies, and human visual perception. We develop and evaluate imaging algorithms that span optical design, digital image processing, computer vision, and system‑level optimization, with a strong emphasis on image quality, efficiency, and real‑world user experience. Team members play a key role in shaping both technology direction and productization roadmaps, contributing to the future of imaging technologies and their applications in VR / MR / AR devices.

• Design and develop vision algorithms across imaging and perception, including image enhancement, restoration, scene understanding, detection, classification, and visual reasoning.
• Develop on‑device algorithms optimized for real‑time performance, power efficiency, and memory constraints on smart wearable devices and smartphones.
• Explore and prototype cloud‑based vision algorithms and large‑scale models, enabling advanced semantic understanding and cross‑device intelligence.
• Own model deployment and optimization, including quantization, compression, and hardware‑aware acceleration.
• Balance system‑level trade‑offs between on‑device and cloud execution, considering latency, privacy, robustness, and user experience.
• Collaborate with camera, display, platform, and product teams to deliver high‑quality capture‑to‑display experiences.
• Contribute to technical design reviews, documentation, and long‑term imaging technology roadmaps.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications- Strong background in computer vision, imaging, and machine learning, with hands‑on algorithm development experience. Proficiency in Python and C++, and experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow. Experience deploying or optimizing models for on‑device inference. Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in a related field, with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications- Experience with VR/AR/MR, smart wearables, or mobile vision systems. Familiarity with camera ISP pipelines, including optical and digital imaging chains. Experience shipping vision algorithms in consumer products.

Job Information

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $218400 - $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; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.

About Pico

Founded in April 2015, Pico is a VR company committed to developing immersive and interactive VR experiences for people around the world. Pico also provides tailor‑made solutions for our enterprise clients in the fields of education and healthcare.

Why Join ByteDance

Inspiring creativity is at the core of ByteDance's mission. Our innovative products are 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 enrich life - a mission we work towards every day.

As ByteDancers, 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. 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

ByteDance 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 ByteDance, our mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. 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.

Reasonable Accommodation

ByteDance 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