J-1 Visa Machine Learning Engineer Jobs
Machine Learning Engineer roles in the United States are typically sponsored under the J-1 visa Research Scholar or Trainee program category, depending on your career stage. Securing sponsorship means a U.S. Department of State-designated organization issues your DS-2019, while your host employer provides the technical training environment.
Find J-1 Visa Machine Learning Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 72+ Machine Learning Engineer jobs
See all 72+ Machine Learning Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Machine Learning Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
(General Hire) Machine Learning Engineer Intern (TikTok-Recommendation) - 2026 Fall (BS/MS)
Location:
San Jose
Employment Type:
Intern
Job Code:
A216692A
Responsibilities
About the Team
Recommendation algorithm team plays a central role in the company, driving critical product decisions and platform growth. The team is made up of machine learning researchers and engineers, who support and innovate on production recommendation models and drive product impact. The team is fast-pacing, collaborative and impact-driven.
We are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship in 2026. Internships at our Company aim to offer students industry exposure and hands-on experience. Watch your ambitions become reality as your inspiration brings infinite opportunities at our Company.
Internships at Our Company aims to provide students with hands-on experience in developing fundamental skills and exploring potential career paths. A vibrant blend of social events and enriching development workshops will be available for you to explore. Here, you will utilize your knowledge in real-world scenarios while laying a strong foundation for personal and professional growth.
Candidates can apply to a maximum of two positions and will be considered for jobs in the order you apply. The application limit is applicable to Our Company and its affiliates' jobs globally. 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).
Fall Start Dates:
August 10th, 2026
August 24th, 2026
September 8th, 2026
September 21st, 2026
- This opening is part of the general hiring process for the TikTok Recommendation organization. Applications will be evaluated by multiple teams within the Recommendation organization to ensure the best alignment based on skills and interests.
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Drive the development of industry-leading recommendation systems that elevate user experience, strengthen platform safety, and empower a vibrant content ecosystem.
- Deliver impactful, end-to-end machine learning solutions that tackle high-priority product challenges related to content understanding, LLMs, robustness, and fairness.
- Own and optimize the full-stack ML pipeline—from algorithm design to system infrastructure—to continuously push the boundaries of recommendation performance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to craft innovative product strategies and develop intelligent solutions that fuel TikTok’s growth in key global markets.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Currently pursuing a Master degree with a background in computer science, machine learning, or similar fields;
- Good knowledge of theoretical and empirical research in addressing research problems;
- Solid knowledge and experience with at least one popular deep learning framework (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and familiarity with deep neural network architectures.
- Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2026
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Research experience in one or more of the following fields: applied machine learning, machine learning infrastructure, large-scale recommendation system, market-facing machine learning product;
- Strong first-author publications record in accredited AI conferences or journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, NAACL etc.);
- Proficient in C/C++, Python, and shell programming languages, and have a deep understanding of data structure and algorithm design;
- Internship experience in an AI research organization.
For Pay Transparency
Compensation Description (Hourly) - Campus Intern
The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $45- $45.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Interns have day one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more. Interns also receive 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in first half of year, 40 if hired in second half of year). Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for housing allowance.
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
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:
- Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
- Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
- Exercising sound judgment.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TikTok Accommodation
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at
https://tinyurl.com/RA-request
INTRODUCTION
(General Hire) Machine Learning Engineer Intern (TikTok-Recommendation) - 2026 Fall (BS/MS)
Location:
San Jose
Employment Type:
Intern
Job Code:
A216692A
Responsibilities
About the Team
Recommendation algorithm team plays a central role in the company, driving critical product decisions and platform growth. The team is made up of machine learning researchers and engineers, who support and innovate on production recommendation models and drive product impact. The team is fast-pacing, collaborative and impact-driven.
We are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship in 2026. Internships at our Company aim to offer students industry exposure and hands-on experience. Watch your ambitions become reality as your inspiration brings infinite opportunities at our Company.
Internships at Our Company aims to provide students with hands-on experience in developing fundamental skills and exploring potential career paths. A vibrant blend of social events and enriching development workshops will be available for you to explore. Here, you will utilize your knowledge in real-world scenarios while laying a strong foundation for personal and professional growth.
Candidates can apply to a maximum of two positions and will be considered for jobs in the order you apply. The application limit is applicable to Our Company and its affiliates' jobs globally. 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).
Fall Start Dates:
August 10th, 2026
August 24th, 2026
September 8th, 2026
September 21st, 2026
- This opening is part of the general hiring process for the TikTok Recommendation organization. Applications will be evaluated by multiple teams within the Recommendation organization to ensure the best alignment based on skills and interests.
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Drive the development of industry-leading recommendation systems that elevate user experience, strengthen platform safety, and empower a vibrant content ecosystem.
- Deliver impactful, end-to-end machine learning solutions that tackle high-priority product challenges related to content understanding, LLMs, robustness, and fairness.
- Own and optimize the full-stack ML pipeline—from algorithm design to system infrastructure—to continuously push the boundaries of recommendation performance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to craft innovative product strategies and develop intelligent solutions that fuel TikTok’s growth in key global markets.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Currently pursuing a Master degree with a background in computer science, machine learning, or similar fields;
- Good knowledge of theoretical and empirical research in addressing research problems;
- Solid knowledge and experience with at least one popular deep learning framework (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and familiarity with deep neural network architectures.
- Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2026
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Research experience in one or more of the following fields: applied machine learning, machine learning infrastructure, large-scale recommendation system, market-facing machine learning product;
- Strong first-author publications record in accredited AI conferences or journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, NAACL etc.);
- Proficient in C/C++, Python, and shell programming languages, and have a deep understanding of data structure and algorithm design;
- Internship experience in an AI research organization.
For Pay Transparency
Compensation Description (Hourly) - Campus Intern
The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $45- $45.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Interns have day one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more. Interns also receive 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in first half of year, 40 if hired in second half of year). Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for housing allowance.
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
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:
- Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
- Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
- Exercising sound judgment.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TikTok Accommodation
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at
https://tinyurl.com/RA-request
See all 72+ J-1 Visa Machine Learning Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Machine Learning Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Machine Learning Engineer
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
J-1 Training Plans require your degree field to map directly to the ML engineering work you'll perform. Document coursework in statistics, neural networks, or distributed systems before approaching host employers, since designated sponsors vet this match during DS-2019 review.
Distinguish Research Scholar from Trainee eligibility early
If you hold a postgraduate degree and have an established research record, the Research Scholar category fits better than Trainee. Trainee is capped at 18 months total, which limits ML project timelines that typically run longer.
Target host employers with existing J-1 infrastructure
Use Migrate Mate to find U.S. employers already hosting J-1 exchange visitors in engineering roles. These organizations have signed host agreements with designated sponsors and understand the Training Plan documentation you'll need to complete.
Build a project portfolio that maps to O*NET task definitions
Designated sponsors use O*NET occupation profiles to validate that your ML training objectives match recognized U.S. job duties. Structure your portfolio around model development, data pipeline engineering, and evaluation metrics so your Training Plan reflects documented occupational tasks.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement before accepting an offer
Research Scholar and Specialist J-1 holders from certain countries, or in government-funded fields, face a two-year home-country return requirement before changing status. Confirm your eligibility for a 212(e) waiver with your designated sponsor before signing an employment offer.
Negotiate the Training Plan scope during offer discussions
The J-1 Training Plan is a legal document your host employer and designated sponsor both sign. Before your start date, confirm that the plan specifies ML-specific rotations, tools, and measurable outcomes, since vague objectives delay DS-2019 issuance and can limit program extensions.
Machine Learning Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Machine Learning Engineer role?
It depends on your career stage. Current graduate students pursuing ML research typically qualify under the Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar category. Early-career professionals who have graduated within the past 12 months and want structured industry training use the Trainee category, which runs up to 18 months. Postdoctoral researchers at universities or national labs usually qualify as Research Scholars through a university-affiliated designated sponsor.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for an ML engineering position?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations like IIE, Cultural Vistas, or CIEE issue the DS-2019 form and administer program compliance. Your employer is the host organization that provides the technical training environment and signs the Training Plan. Conflating the two is the most common source of confusion when negotiating job offers.
How do I find U.S. employers that are set up to host J-1 engineers?
Many employers have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before but don't advertise it in job listings. Migrate Mate surfaces roles and employers specifically aligned with J-1 sponsorship pathways, so you can focus your applications on organizations that already have host agreements in place rather than pitching unfamiliar employers on the program from scratch.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to ML engineers?
It can. The 212(e) two-year home-country return requirement applies to J-1 holders whose participation was funded by their home government or the U.S. government, or who are nationals of a country designated by the State Department as needing their skills. ML engineers on Research Scholar visas funded by U.S. federal research grants are particularly likely to be subject to this requirement. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer that leads toward an H-1B visa or green card.
What does a J-1 Training Plan need to include for an ML engineering role?
The Training Plan must specify the ML-related tasks you'll perform in the U.S., the tools and technologies involved, measurable performance benchmarks, and the name of your on-site supervisor. Designated sponsors use this document to verify that the program qualifies as genuine training rather than standard employment. Vague plans that list only general software engineering duties are routinely rejected, delaying DS-2019 issuance.