Machine Learning Engineer

About the role

TikTok’s Recommendation Algorithm team is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer Intern to contribute to production recommendation systems and machine learning solutions. The role provides hands-on experience in recommendation algorithms, deep learning, content understanding, LLMs, robustness, fairness, and large-scale machine learning infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of advanced recommendation systems that improve user experience, platform safety, and content discovery.
• Develop end-to-end machine learning solutions for high-priority product challenges involving content understanding, LLMs, robustness, and fairness.
• Work across the full-stack machine learning pipeline, from algorithm design to system infrastructure.
• Optimize recommendation models and systems to improve performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative product strategies and intelligent solutions.
• Support machine learning initiatives that contribute to TikTok’s growth across global markets.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a similar field.
• Knowledge of theoretical and empirical research methods for addressing research problems.
• Experience with at least one popular deep learning framework, such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Familiarity with deep neural network architectures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in applied machine learning, machine learning infrastructure, large-scale recommendation systems, or market-facing machine learning products.
• Strong first-author publication record in leading AI conferences or journals such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, or NAACL.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and shell programming.
• Strong understanding of data structures and algorithm design.
• Internship experience in an AI research organization.

Skills & Competencies

• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Recommendation Systems
• Machine Learning Infrastructure
• PyTorch / TensorFlow
• Deep Neural Networks
• Content Understanding
• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Robustness and Fairness in AI
• Python
• C/C++
• Shell Programming
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Research and Experimental Methods
• End-to-End ML Pipelines
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education & Experience

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Research experience and AI research internship experience are preferred but not required.

Work Arrangement & Schedule

• Location: Seattle, Washington, United States.
• Work Arrangement: Remote.
• Position Type: Internship.
• Internship program includes hands-on industry experience, development workshops, and social activities.
• The source states Fall 2025 for the internship period, although the listing is posted September 17, 2026.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly Compensation: USD $42.75/hour.
• Health insurance and life insurance from day one.
• Wellbeing benefits.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick time: 56 hours if hired in the first half of the year, or 40 hours if hired in the second half.
• Interns who are not working 100% remotely may be eligible for a housing allowance.
• Benefits may vary based on employment type and work location.