Device Prototyping Designer- Graduate- Pico 2026 Start- (PHD)
ByteDance
Responsibilities
About Team: The Innovation Team is part of the Industrial Design organization, with a primary focus on incubating new ideas and product concepts. The team takes a holistic view of the product experience and explores how emerging technologies can be leveraged to create meaningful, delightful, and genuinely useful user experiences. We are looking for talented individuals to join our team in 2026. As a graduate, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth. Launch your career where inspiration is infinite at ByteDance. Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding date by end of year 2026. Please state your availability and graduation date clearly in your resume. Responsibilities: What You Will Do - Navigate Ambiguity: Take loose prompts and abstract ideas and turn them into concrete technical strategies. You are comfortable building without a spec sheet. - Rapid Experience Prototyping: Move fast. One day you might be duct-taping a Raspberry Pi to a foam model to test an interaction; the next, you are refining a polished Python script for an executive demo. - Edge AI Implementation: Give objects a "brain." Implement and optimize Large Language Models (LLMs), Computer Vision, and multimodal AI directly on embedded hardware (Jetson, ESP32, Mobile). - Hardware Integration: Build the "nervous system" of our concepts—selecting sensors, actuators, displays, and microcontrollers and integrating them into 3D-printed enclosures. - Technical Storytelling: Demonstrate your prototypes to stakeholders, explaining not just the how (the code), but the why (the user experience).
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements - PhD in the fields of in HCI, Robotics, Creative Technology, CS, EE, or a related technical field. - Proficiency in at least one core language (Python or C++) with the ability to write software that controls physical hardware. - Experience with basic physical prototyping, including soldering, breadboarding, and the use of microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi). - Familiarity with at least one digital fabrication method (3D Printing or Laser Cutting). - Applications must include a link to a portfolio or GitHub demonstrating the ability to write working software, build physical hardware, and clearly document the thinking, testing, and iteration process. Preferred Qualifications: - Academic or project experience deploying models to the "edge" using TensorFlow Lite, ONNX, or PyTorch, or experience building applications with LLM APIs (GPT/Llama/Hugging Face). - Experience in 3D modeling for production (Fusion 360, OnShape) or creating interactive environments (Unity, TouchDesigner) would be plus.
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)
The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $115200 - $184000 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.
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.
About Pico
Founded in April 2015, Pico is a VR company committed to developing immersive and interactive VR experiences for people around the world. Pico also provides tailor-made solutions for our enterprise clients in the fields of education and healthcare.
Why Join ByteDance
Inspiring creativity is at the core of ByteDance's mission. Our innovative products are 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 enrich life - a mission we work towards every day.
As ByteDancers, 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. 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
ByteDance 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 ByteDance, our mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. 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.
Reasonable Accommodation
ByteDance 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