Machine Learning Engineer Intern (TikTok-Content Ecology) - 2026 Start (PhD)
Responsibilities
The Content Ecology Algorithm Team drives TikTok's AI innovations in LLMs, NLP, Computer Vision (CV), multimodal learning, and recommendation algorithms. We develop cutting-edge AI capabilities that power multiple business lines, including Local Services, Search, Core Video Architecture, Professional Content (PGC), and User Growth (UG).
Our work includes:
- Short Video Content Understanding - Building multimodal AI models to analyze video, text, and speech.
- Global Trending Event Detection - Developing real-time AI systems to detect viral trends worldwide.
- Intelligent Customer Service - Implementing chatbot and automation solutions using LLMs.
- AI-Driven Content Discovery - Enhancing personalized content recommendations through advanced algorithms.
With millions of daily users, our work directly impacts TikTok's growth and user engagement.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in San Jose, CA delivered to your inbox every week.
We are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship in 2026. Internships at TikTok aim to offer students industry exposure and hands-on experience. Turn your ambitions into reality as your inspiration brings infinite opportunities at TikTok.
PhD internships at TikTok provide students with the opportunity to actively contribute to our products and research, and to the organization's future plans and emerging technologies. Our dynamic internship experience blends hands-on learning, enriching community-building and development events, and collaboration with industry experts.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis - we encourage you to apply early. Please state your availability clearly in your resume (Start date, End date).
Responsibilities:
- Develop and optimize LLM, NLP, CV, and recommendation models to improve TikTok's content ecosystem.
- Implement multimodal AI solutions, integrating video, text, and speech understanding.
- Optimize LLM-powered search, discovery, and content recommendation systems for better user engagement.
- Train and fine-tune deep learning models using TensorFlow, PyTorch, or other ML frameworks.
- Deploy and scale machine learning solutions in a distributed computing environment.
- Work closely with AI researchers, software engineers, and business teams to apply AI technologies effectively.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, or a related field.
- Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages.
- Hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
- Solid understanding of machine learning, NLP, CV, or recommendation algorithms.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with distributed computing and optimizing AI models for real-world applications.
- Ability to apply machine learning techniques to enhance business and user experiences.
- Publications in top AI/ML conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ACL, etc.) or strong contributions to open-source AI projects.
By submitting an application for this role, you accept and agree to our global applicant privacy policy, which may be accessed here: https://careers.tiktok.com/legal/privacy
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- HSA
- Life Insurance
- Fitness Subsidies
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- On-Site Gym
- Mental Health Benefits
- Virtual Fitness Classes
Parental Benefits
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Snacks
- Pet-friendly Office
- Happy Hours
- Some Meals Provided
- Company Outings
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Performance Bonus
- Company Equity
Professional Development
- Promote From Within
- Access to Online Courses
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
- Mentor Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
Company Videos
Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at TikTok.