Process
I was asked to implement a multi-head transformer encoder layer with forward/backward pass from scratch. The interviewer struggled with answering clarification questions and provided misleading tips, likely due to their own unfamiliarity with the architecture.
Questions
Implement a popular model layer from scratch.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 125 interview experiences for the TikTok Machine Learning Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
9%
Pass Rate
TikTok's interview process for their Machine Learning Engineer roles in the United States is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive34%
Neutral46%
Negative20%
Candidates reported having good feelings for TikTok's Machine Learning Engineer interview process in United States.
TikTok Work Experiences
4.0
Big Company, Good Pay, Tough Test
Machine Learning Engineer • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
September 27, 2023
Pros: Big company, good pay, sponsor.
Cons: Code test is not easy.
3.0
Bad work-life balance
Machine Learning Engineer • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
January 23, 2025
Pros: Learned a lot.
Good compensation.
Allows you a lot of work travel flexibility.
Cons: If you don't speak Chinese, you are at a severe disadvantage. I spoke Chinese and was still majorly disadvantaged.
There is no support for new employees. The onboarding process has very little structure.
4.0
Comfortable, Growing, Lacking Diversity
Machine Learning Engineer • Former Employee
San Jose, California, United States
July 22, 2024
Pros: A comfortable environment and a rapidly growing business.
Cons: A large amount of the employees are Chinese, a little bit bad in diversity.
- 4.0Big Company, Good Pay, Tough TestMachine Learning Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesSeptember 27, 2023Pros: Big company, good pay, sponsor.Cons: Code test is not easy.
- 3.0Bad work-life balanceMachine Learning Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesJanuary 23, 2025Pros: Learned a lot. Good compensation. Allows you a lot of work travel flexibility.Cons: If you don't speak Chinese, you are at a severe disadvantage. I spoke Chinese and was still majorly disadvantaged. There is no support for new employees. The onboarding process has very little structure.
- 4.0Comfortable, Growing, Lacking DiversityMachine Learning Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesJuly 22, 2024Pros: A comfortable environment and a rapidly growing business.Cons: A large amount of the employees are Chinese, a little bit bad in diversity.
TikTok Interview Questions
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