Machine Learning Engineer Intern (TikTok Search) - 2026 Start (PhD)

TikTok
San Jose
Workplace: OnsiteInternshipFunction: Data Science & Machine LearningEducation: phdSkills: ["Communication","Teamwork","Problem-solving","Creativity"]

Work with TikTok’s Search Engineering Team to build and improve a full-stack search engine system using information retrieval and modern machine learning. Contribute to enhancements of the search core algorithm across content understanding (NLP/CV with LLMs), user behavior modeling for recommendation and personalization, and video understanding to improve search relevance and results quality. Apply while planning your 2026 internship dates and commit to full-time work for 12 weeks.

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FursaFursa
TikTok
TikTok
1 month ago

Machine Learning Engineer Intern (TikTok Search) - 2026 Start (PhD)

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Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 18 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Work with TikTok’s Search Engineering Team to build and improve a full-stack search engine system using information retrieval and modern machine learning. Contribute to enhancements of the search core algorithm across content understanding (NLP/CV with LLMs), user behavior modeling for recommendation and personalization, and video understanding to improve search relevance and results quality. Apply while planning your 2026 internship dates and commit to full-time work for 12 weeks.
Location: San Jose
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Internship · 3 months
Job Function: Data Science & Machine Learning
Seniority: Intern level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Build and improve TikTok’s search engine to deliver a better search experience.
  • •Contribute to improving the search core algorithm.
  • •Apply NLP/CV and LLMs for content understanding and matching relevant videos to queries.
  • •Model user behavior in search by solving recommendation and personalization problems.
  • •Use NLP/CV/LLMs for video understanding to enhance authority, credibility, and usefulness of results.

Key Requirements

  • •Commit to a 12-week, full-time internship.
  • •Currently pursuing a PhD in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • •Strong coding skills with a solid foundation in algorithms and data structures.
  • •Experience in one or more areas such as NLP, ranking, ads, search engine, recommender systems, distributed systems, and machine learning.
  • •Effective communication and teamwork skills.
Experience:Machine learningSearch engineRecommender systemsDistributed systemsNLPComputer vision
Education:PhD / Doctorate in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Skills:CommunicationTeamworkProblem-solvingCreativity
Tech Stack:NLPCVLLMRecommender systemDistributed systemSearch engineRankingMachine learningAds

Company Brief

TikTok
Short-form video platform that lets users create, share, and discover entertainment content through algorithmic recommendations. It also offers advertising and creator tools for brands, influencers, and businesses.
Industry: Digital Media
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Growth: Scaleup
Headquarters: Singapore, Singapore
Founded: 2016
WebsiteLinkedIn