Machine Learning Engineer Intern (Monetization Technology-Ads Core Technology)- 2025 Start (PhD)

Tiktok - San Jose, CA

Full-time - Intern

San Jose, CA

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

About the position

The internship position at TikTok is designed for students to gain hands-on experience in machine learning and ads traffic strategy. Interns will work on building scalable machine learning systems to enhance ad ranking results, improve ad quality, and optimize user experience. This role emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and personal growth within a vibrant team environment, contributing to TikTok's mission of inspiring creativity and bringing joy.

Responsibilities

• Build highly scalable machine learning systems/models to improve ads ranking results.
• Explore, develop and experiment with new features to improve model accuracy.
• Understand advertisement platform objectives and leverage modern machine learning to enhance ad quality and relevancy.
• Develop robust core systems and algorithms, including ads format selection system, ads ranking system, and model serving system.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related technical discipline with 2+ years of research or machine learning modeling experience.
• Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2025.
• Solid programming skills, proficient in C/C++ and Python.
• Familiar with basic data structures and algorithms.
• Familiar with Linux development environment.
• Good analytical thinking capability and essential knowledge in statistics.
• Good theoretical grounding in deep learning concepts and techniques.
• Familiar with architecture and implementation of at least one mainstream machine learning programming framework (TensorFlow/PyTorch/MXNet).

Nice-to-haves

• PhD candidate focused on a statistical learning related field.
• Graduating December 2025 onwards with the intent to return to degree program after the completion of the internship.
• Good knowledge in fields such as Factorization Machine, Uplift Modeling, Diffusion Models, or Reinforcement Learning.
• Basic understanding of large recommendation systems and ads serving system concepts.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience in developing fundamental skills and exploring potential career paths.
• Access to a vibrant blend of social events and enriching development workshops.