Senior Machine Learning Engineer - Search Recommendation

$184,300 - $337,250/Yr

Tiktok - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Senior

Seattle, WA

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

About the position

The Senior Machine Learning Engineer for Search Recommendation at TikTok will play a pivotal role in enhancing the search recommendation algorithm for TikTok's rapidly growing global e-commerce platform. This position is part of the Search Growth E-commerce team, which is dedicated to utilizing advanced machine learning technologies, including natural language processing (NLP), computer vision (CV), and multi-modal technology, to create a cutting-edge search experience for over 1 billion active users. The mission of this team is to ensure that there are no hard-to-sell, overpriced products by delivering an optimal e-commerce search experience that drives user engagement and satisfaction. In this role, the engineer will be responsible for elevating the search recommendation services and models specifically tailored for TikTok E-commerce. This includes driving increased e-commerce search traffic on both TikTok and TikTok Mall, while also enhancing user cognition during the search and purchasing processes. The engineer will optimize the recommender system, focusing on hyperscale machine learning models, and will engage in a variety of tasks that span from recall and first-stage ranking to final-stage ranking within the end-to-end workflow. Furthermore, the engineer will be tasked with pushing the boundaries of short text and general recommendation technology, particularly emphasizing the interaction between recommendation systems and NLP technology. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in computer science or a related technical discipline, with excellent coding skills and a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms. They should be adept at analysis, modeling, and problem-solving, with the ability to distill complex data into actionable insights. A background in publishing research in top journals or conferences, as well as experience in competitive programming, will be considered advantageous. The role requires a minimum of 5 years of work experience in machine learning, with a good product sense and a focus on user experience, along with domain knowledge in areas such as modern recommendation systems, search, advertisement, or e-commerce.

Responsibilities

• Elevate search recommendation services and models for TikTok E-commerce, driving heightened e-commerce search traffic on both TikTok and TikTok Mall, while enhancing user search and purchasing cognition.
• Optimize the recommender system, focusing on hyperscale machine learning models, involving diverse tasks spanning recall/first-stage ranking to final-stage ranking within the end-to-end workflow.
• Push the boundaries of short text and general recommendation technology, with a specific emphasis on the interaction between recommendation and NLP technology.

Requirements

• Bachelor or advanced degree in computer science or a related technical discipline.
• Excellent coding skills with solid knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
• Strong analytical, modeling, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to see the essence of problems from complex data.
• Publication records in top journals or conferences are a plus; experience winning ACM-ICPC medals is also a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• 5+ years of work experience in machine learning with a good product sense focused on user experience.
• Domain knowledge or working experience in modern recommendation, search, advertisement, or e-commerce.

Benefits

• 100% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, approximately 75% premium coverage for dependents, and a Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company match.
• Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, and AD&D insurance plans.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care.
• 10 paid holidays per year plus 17 days of Paid Personal Time Off (PPTO), prorated upon hire and increased by tenure, and 10 paid sick days per year.
• 12 weeks of paid Parental leave and 8 weeks of paid Supplemental Disability.
• Mental and emotional health benefits through EAP and Lyra.
• 401K company match, gym, and cellphone service reimbursements.