Machine Learning Engineer - TikTok Search Ranking

Overview

The Search Ranking team at TikTok is a pivotal algorithm group dedicated to enhancing user experience within the search and recommendation platforms. This team is responsible for a broad range of roles in the algorithm pipeline including indexing, recall, rough and fine sorting, reranking, and mixed ranking. Members have the chance to develop a comprehensive search engine system leveraging advanced artificial intelligence techniques to deliver a world-class search experience. The work culture emphasizes self-guidance, intellectual curiosity, openness, and problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and refine cutting-edge information retrieval and machine learning algorithms to optimize search and recommendation outputs, serving billions of users worldwide.
• Engage in enhancing large-scale systems including trillion-scale index libraries, huge parameter models, extended user behavior modeling, and extensive sparse model research.
• Conduct pioneering research on next-generation ranking models powered by extensive world knowledge embedded within large models, aiming to transform search and recommendation services fundamentally.
• Explore and implement state-of-the-art technologies such as multimodal machine learning for short videos, generative models, scaling laws, sparse mixture of experts (MoE), and reinforcement learning techniques.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science or a related technical domain.
• Strong programming capabilities and a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures, proficient in C++, Python, or Java.
• Foundational knowledge and hands-on experience with machine learning application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience in modeling for areas such as advertising, search engines, recommender systems, natural language processing, or computer vision.

About TikTok

TikTok is the premier platform for short-form mobile video, driven by a mission to inspire creativity and bring joy globally. With main offices in Los Angeles and Singapore, alongside locations worldwide, TikTok fosters a diverse and innovative environment that encourages authentic self-expression and global connectivity.

Why Join TikTok

By joining TikTok, you become part of a team that values innovation, curiosity, humility, and impact. The company culture embraces challenges as opportunities for growth with a continuous "Always Day 1" mindset. TikTok is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workspace where everyone’s contributions and unique perspectives are valued and celebrated.