J-1 Visa ML Engineer Jobs
ML Engineer roles in the United States are accessible to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa, typically under the Research Scholar, Trainee, or Intern program categories depending on your career stage. Finding a host employer willing to work with a designated sponsor organization for DS-2019 sponsorship is the critical first step.
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(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 ML Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa ML Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a ML Engineer
Align your ML specialization with J-1 categories
Research Scholar suits PhD-level ML researchers at universities or labs. Trainee fits early-career professionals with a degree and some work experience. Intern applies to current graduate students. Matching your profile to the right category before applying prevents DS-2019 delays.
Document your ML coursework and project outputs
Designated sponsor organizations require a detailed training plan tied to your field of study. Compile course transcripts, GitHub repositories, published papers, or capstone projects that demonstrate your ML focus before your host employer submits training plan documentation.
Target host employers with existing DS-2019 experience
Search for ML Engineer roles at universities, national labs, and research-driven tech firms that already host J-1 visa exchange visitors. Use Migrate Mate to filter for U.S. employers and roles aligned with J-1 visa sponsorship before reaching out.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Many ML Engineer J-1 participants, particularly Research Scholars funded by government sources, are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). Confirm whether your program triggers this rule before accepting an offer, as it affects future H-1B visa or green card eligibility.
Verify your host employer can support a training plan
Your host organization must sign a formal training plan with your designated sponsor and demonstrate capacity to supervise your ML work. Confirm this before an offer is extended, since employers unfamiliar with J-1 obligations often withdraw after learning the administrative requirements.
Check DOL wage compliance for your ML role
Although J-1 is not employer-sponsored like H-1B, host employers must pay exchange visitors wages commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers. Use the OFLC Wage Search and O*NET to benchmark ML Engineer compensation in your target location before negotiating your offer.
ML Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits an ML Engineer role?
It depends on your career stage. Current graduate students pursuing ML internships fall under the Intern category. Early-career professionals with a relevant degree and at least one year of work experience use the Trainee category. PhD-level researchers joining a university lab or national research institute typically qualify under Research Scholar, which is the most common path for senior ML roles.
Who actually sponsors a J-1 visa for an ML Engineer?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as IIE, CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT, that issues your DS-2019 and monitors program compliance. Your hiring organization is the host employer, not the sponsor. The host must agree to work with a designated sponsor and sign a training plan, but they do not file any petition directly with USCIS.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 ML Engineer?
Start with Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers and ML Engineer roles that align with J-1 sponsorship. Prioritize universities, government-affiliated research institutes, and established tech companies with prior J-1 hosting experience. Smaller startups often lack the internal HR infrastructure to navigate the training plan and designated sponsor relationship.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect ML Engineers on J-1?
It can. The two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e) applies when your J-1 program is government-funded, your home country lists your field on the exchange visitor skills list, or you enter as a government-sponsored visitor. If it applies, you must return to your home country for two years before obtaining an H-1B or immigrant visa unless you receive a waiver.
Can a J-1 ML Engineer work on independent projects or side contracts during their program?
No. J-1 exchange visitors are authorized to work only for the host employer named on their DS-2019 and only in the capacity described in the training plan. Freelance ML contracts, consulting work, or side projects for other organizations are not permitted during your exchange program, regardless of whether the work is remote or unpaid.