Machine Learning Engineer Graduate - 2026 Start (BS/MS)

TikTok is seeking a Graduate Machine Learning Engineer to begin in 2026, focusing on TikTok-Data-Search-Basic Ranking with a blend of NLP, computer vision, and large language models to elevate search relevance and personalization. This onsite role in San Jose places you on the TikTok Search Team, where real-time, large-scale ML systems process billions of search requests daily and influence how users discover content.

Responsibilities

• Content understanding: apply state-of-the-art NLP and CV techniques and leverage LLMs to match the most relevant videos to each search query, continuously boosting search relevance.
• User behavior modeling: address the search-oriented recommendation challenge to enhance personalization and deepen understanding of user intent.
• Video understanding: utilize NLP, CV, and LLM to interpret video content and its social context, improving the authority, credibility, and usefulness of search results.

Requirements

• Current or recently completed Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong coding skills with a solid foundation in algorithms and data structures.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience in one or more areas such as NLP, ranking, ads, search engines, recommender systems, distributed systems, or machine learning.

Technologies

• NLP
• CV
• LLM

Compensation

Base salary range: USD 122,574 – 316,800 per year. Compensation may vary based on qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. Base pay is part of the total package and may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses.

Benefits

• Day one medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing benefits
• 10 paid holidays per year
• 10 paid sick days per year
• 17 days of paid personal time, prorated at hire with accruals increasing over tenure
• Additional discretionary bonuses or incentives
• Restricted stock units

Location

San Jose

Employment Type

Regular

Job Code

A239071

About the Team

The TikTok Search Team develops and applies advanced machine learning technologies within real-time, large-scale systems that handle billions of search requests daily. By leveraging state-of-the-art NLP and multi-modal models, projects impact the search experience for hundreds of millions of users worldwide. The team is also exploring how LLMs can further enhance user search experiences and sharpen the search engine for the next generation.

Why Join Us

Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product helps people express themselves, discover content, and connect, supported by diverse, global teams that collaborate to create value for communities and bring joy each day.

Diversity & Inclusion

TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. The company aims to reflect the many communities it serves and embraces diverse voices as part of its mission to inspire creativity and joy.

TikTok Accommodation

TikTok provides reasonable accommodations in recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other protected reasons. If you need assistance, please visit RA-request.