AI/LLM Network Software Development Engineer Graduate (High Speed Network) - 2026 Start (PhD)

ByteDance; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 148,200 - 300,960; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) savings plan with company match

Paid parental leave

10 paid holidays

17 days of paid personal time

Job summary

ByteDance is looking for a qualified networking engineer to design and implement high-speed network technologies that support AI applications. The ideal candidate must have a PhD in Software Development or Computer Science, with strong networking and programming skills.

This role provides exposure to data-center networking at massive scale, ideal for those eager to work with high-performance AI communication frameworks and next-gen infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have proficiency in computer networking and network programming.
• Must be completing or have recently completed a PhD in a related discipline.
• Familiarity with advances in high‑speed network systems is required.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and deploy high-speed network technologies.
• Research and develop high-performance AI communication frameworks.
• Build next-generation AI network infrastructure.

Skills

Computer networking

Network programming

C/C++

Python

Go

AI network optimization

Education

PhD in Software Development, Computer Science, or related

Tools

NCCL

MPI

RPC libraries

Job description

ByteDance Networking combines innovative ideas and technologies from network architecture, software‑defined networking (SDN), network virtualization, switch software and hardware co‑design, and high‑speed networking to create hyperscale data‑center networking solutions that power several of the world’s most popular apps such as Douyin and TikTok, serving hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and deploy high‑speed network technologies to support AI/LLM applications.
• Design and develop platforms/systems for monitoring, analysis, and diagnosis of large‑scale AI/LLM networks.
• Research and develop high‑performance AI communication frameworks, network protocol stacks, and co‑design optimization of host‑network‑application to improve scalability, reliability, and performance of AI/LLM networks.
• Build next‑generation AI network infrastructure supporting large‑scale heterogeneous network hardware with innovative and deployable solutions.

ByteDance Networking is responsible for designing, building, and operating global, intelligent network infrastructure to meet the requirements of high availability, scalability, and high performance. This role offers valuable experience in data‑center networking at massive scale. Successful candidates must be able to commit between January 5, 2026, and December 14, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completing or recently completed a PhD in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Proficiency in computer networking and network programming.
• Proficiency in one or several mainstream programming languages, including C/C++, Python, Go, etc.
• Familiarity with the latest advances in high‑speed network systems, including RDMA, congestion control, AI network optimization, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing high‑performance communication frameworks (e.g., NCCL, MPI, RPC libraries).
• Experience developing software systems for AI network diagnosis and performance optimization.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $148,200 – $300,960 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range based on qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the total package and may include discretionary bonuses/incentives and restricted stock units.

Benefits

Benefits may vary by employment nature and country location. Employees receive 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; 10 paid holidays; 10 paid sick days; and 17 days of paid personal time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure). Benefits programs may change at any time without notice.

Equal Opportunity

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation

ByteDance is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other protected reasons. If assistance is needed, please visit https://tinyurl.com/RA-request.