Research Engineer Graduate Online Architecture PhD

Join to apply for the Research Engineer Graduate Online Architecture- 2026 Start (PhD) role at Tik Tok.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and optimization for Tik Tok’s ecosystem, serving billions of users worldwide, supported by globally distributed, ultra-large-scale data center clusters, and the industry’s largest microservice system (over one million distinct services).
• Perform data modeling and algorithmic optimization on complex business architecture systems, applying scientific methods to solve key challenges in ultra-large-scale infrastructure and business architecture, including but not limited to capacity forecasting and planning, service and data placement optimization, traffic scheduling optimization, and risk prediction and prevention.
• Deliver significant business and academic value through architecture optimization with a focus on: substantial cost savings at internet scale; enhanced infrastructure planning and decision-making through AI and algorithm capabilities; highly automated and intelligent large-scale architecture governance; and production-ready research outcomes suitable for publication at top-tier conferences/journals.
• Translate research outcomes into engineering solutions deployable in production, achieving a complete loop from theory to practice.
• Collaborate with architects, infrastructure, and business teams to drive global-scale deployment and adoption of optimization solutions.
• Continuously explore cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to shape the next 3–5 years of Tik Tok’s global business architecture evolution.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Solid research background in distributed systems, large-scale system optimization, or AI for Systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to model planet-scale, complex business and infrastructure systems, abstract key variables and constraints, and clearly articulate solutions through rigorous logical reasoning and effective communication.
• Proficiency in optimization algorithms (e.g., integer programming, dynamic programming, graph optimization, reinforcement learning) and their application to large-scale optimization problems.
• Proficiency in at least one mainstream programming language (e.g., Go, Java, C++, Python), with the capability to implement algorithms and models into production systems.
• Ability to leverage AI tools and automation methods to efficiently accomplish tasks and enhance productivity, with strong motivation to explore cutting-edge technologies and solve complex industrial-scale problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in data modeling and analysis for large-scale systems or business architectures, with the ability to propose feasible optimization solutions based on business and system characteristics.
• Publication record in top-tier conferences/journals such as OSDI, SOSP, NSDI, SoCC, SIGCOMM, KDD, NeurIPS.
• Hands-on experience in optimization, scheduling, or resource management for ultra-large-scale production systems.
• Familiarity with deployment and operations of large-scale distributed systems, and understanding of cross-data-center and cross-region architecture optimization.
• Experience in cross-domain collaboration (architecture, platform, business) to drive complex solutions into production.

Job Information

• Compensation:
  The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $129,960 - $246,240 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range based on qualifications, skills, and location. Base pay is part of the Total Package and may include discretionary bonuses/incentives and restricted stock units.
• Benefits vary by employment type and location. Employees have day-one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, parental leave, disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, and paid time off (10 holidays, 10 sick days, 17 paid personal days prorated by tenure).
• The Company reserves the right to modify benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity and…