Senior Machine Learning Engineer

The TikTok USDS Ads shop team is building scalable machine learning systems to improve ad ranking and help optimize advertiser marketing strategies across open-loop and closed-loop shop ads. As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will develop and evaluate models and features that enhance ad relevance and quality, supporting next-generation shopping experiences.

This onsite role is based in Los Angeles, CA and offers a base salary range of $177,688 to $416,100 annually. The position is a strong fit for experienced machine learning engineers with a background in applied modeling, experimentation, and large-scale data processing.

What you’ll do

• Build highly scalable machine learning systems and state-of-the-art models to improve ad ranking quality and optimize advertisers’ marketing strategies, including click-through rate prediction, conversion rate prediction, intelligent format selection, and user journey optimization.
• Explore, develop, and experiment with new features to improve model accuracy.
• Use modern machine learning to better align with ads platform objectives and improve ad relevance, quality, and quantity delivered to end users.
• Partner across teams with Global counterparts, Product Managers, Designers, and other disciplines to define and advance the next generation of shopping experiences on TikTok.

What you bring

• Self-motivation to drive business growth and advance technical capabilities.
• Proficiency in SQL and Python, including experience with data manipulation.
• Experience using big data frameworks such as Hadoop and Spark and distributed computing for efficient large-scale data mining.
• A strong foundation in machine learning and deep learning, including feature engineering, model evaluation, and optimization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to derive insights from complex and unstructured datasets.
• A Master’s or advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Machine Learning Engineer or Data Scientist; causal machine learning is preferred.
• Experience in user growth, marketing algorithms, recommendation algorithms, advertisement algorithms, or related areas is preferred.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work in cross-functional teams and explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Technologies

• SQL
• Python
• Hadoop
• Spark

Compensation & benefits

• 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 upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure)
• Additional discretionary bonuses/incentives
• Restricted stock units

Compensation note: The base salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $177,688 to $416,100 annually. Compensation may vary based on qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location.

Additional information

• Reasonable accommodation: USDS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other reasons protected by applicable laws. Contact: https://tinyurl.com/USDS-RA
• Los Angeles County (Unincorporated) Fair Chance: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered under applicable laws. Criminal history may impact employment decisions related to duties involving interacting with internal/external clients or colleagues, handling confidential proprietary and trade secret information, and exercising sound judgment.