Machine Learning Engineer - Global E-commerce (ETA, Pricing & Conversion)

Machine Learning Engineer - Global E-commerce (ETA, Pricing & Conversion) at TikTok in Seattle, WA.

Responsibilities

The Global E-commerce Algorithm team is the core engine driving the ultimate shopping experience and user growth for our rapidly expanding international platform. At the intersection of entertainment and commerce, we are shaping the future of "Discovery E-Commerce" by building cutting-edge AI, search, and recommendation systems that connect millions of users with the products they love.

In this role, you will focus on solving massive-scale, consumer-facing challenges by bridging the gap between physical fulfillment and the digital user experience. You will build core algorithmic frameworks from the ground up, deeply integrating physical logistics factors-such as delivery speed, reliability, and shipping costs-into our core Search and Recommendation ecosystems. By dynamically optimizing impression allocation and conversion strategies, your work will directly drive user growth and platform GMV. You will push the boundaries of applied machine learning by leveraging cutting-edge techniques, including our proprietary OneTrans Model for ETA prediction, Causal Inference for dynamic pricing, and the latest advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI Agents.

• Next-Gen ETA Prediction: Build and optimize end-to-end Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) prediction systems leveraging our proprietary OneTrans Model. Analyze spatio-temporal sequences using deep learning to improve ETA accuracy, enhance consumer trust, and boost click-to-order rates.
• Intelligent Pricing via Causal Inference: Design and implement intelligent shipping-fee pricing, free-shipping strategies, and subsidy-pricing coordination. Utilize advanced Causal Inference techniques to build multi-objective optimization models that perfectly balance user landed price, platform costs, and profitability.
• Conversion & Impression Allocation: Deeply integrate key fulfillment factors (e.g., delivery speed, shipping cost) into core Search and Recommendation ranking algorithms. Design intelligent impression allocation and dynamic consumer presentation strategies that balance user experience and business costs, ultimately driving higher retention and repeat purchase rates.
• LLM & AI Agent Innovation: Pioneer the development of domain-specific LLMs by leveraging massive e-commerce data for Continual Pre-Training (CPT), Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT), and Reinforcement Learning (RL). Design and deploy intelligent AI Agents based on an "Agent + Skill" framework to autonomously diagnose and resolve complex user-facing and operational issues.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related highly quantitative field.
• Solid foundation in data structures and algorithms, with proficient programming skills in Python, C++, or Java.
• Strong fundamentals in applied machine learning, with hands-on experience processing large-scale data using Big Data tools (e.g., Spark, Hive SQL) and Deep Learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with A/B testing, experimentation design, and data-driven decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex, open-ended business problems into highly scalable algorithmic solutions.
• A strong passion for solving complex, high-impact e-commerce challenges and driving user growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep expertise and industry experience in at least one of the following core areas:
• Spatio-Temporal Modeling: Sequence prediction, ETA modeling, or graph neural networks.
• Causal Inference: Dynamic pricing, uplift modeling, or user growth algorithms.
• Search & Recommendation: RecSys ranking, computational advertising, or impression allocation.
• LLM / Generative AI: LLM training pipelines (CPT, SFT, RLHF/RLAIF) and building Agentic workflows.
• A strong track record of algorithmic innovation, demonstrated by publications at top-tier conferences (e.g., KDD, NeurIPS, WWW, SIGIR, WSDM, ICLR, ICML).

Job Information

[For Pay Transparency] Compensation Description (annually)

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).

The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

About the Company

The Global Business Solutions (GBS) team is responsible for the revenue growth of the TikTok business, and our teams include Sales, Marketing, Ops, Account Managers, Agency and partnerships, as well as Marketing Science.

At TikTok, our Global Business Solutions (GBS) team plays a key role in generating revenue by promoting our advertising solutions, onboarding new clients, driving ad campaigns, and more. As the TikTok community grows at an unprecedented speed around the world, our GBS team leads groundbreaking projects that are changing the landscape of the advertising industry in real time.

We're seeking an analytically driven, and detail-oriented Client Solutions Manager (CSM) Intern to join our Ecommerce Team. As a CSM, you will partner closely with Client Partners and Client Solutions Managers to drive revenue by identifying opportunities, leveraging data insights, and delivering consultative solutions for advertisers.

This role centers on client education, relationship growth, data analysis, and campaign success. You will provide strategic recommendations to both clients and internal teams, ensuring campaigns achieve business objectives while optimizing long-term partnerships. Success in this role requires strong data analytics skills, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and a test-and-learn mindset to uncover the best solutions.

Additional Information

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:

1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.