Backend Privacy Engineer for Teen Safety

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 317,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a Software Engineer (Backend) for its Privacy and Security team in San Jose. You will design, build, and scale backend services and APIs that power teen privacy controls and related features, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, high-performance systems.

The role emphasizes delivering robust backend solutions, collaborating closely with PMs, data scientists, and QA, while maintaining production health and code quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 3+ years of professional backend software development experience in production environments.
• Strong proficiency in at least one modern backend programming language.
• Strong grasp of computer science fundamentals with a proactive approach to troubleshooting technical challenges.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain robust, high-performance backend microservices and data pipelines powering privacy and teen-safety features.
• Own medium-complexity backend deliverables and core system components from design through deployment and operations.
• Write clean, modular, and well-tested code; participate in code reviews and improve product quality, efficiency, and security.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, QA, Data Scientists, and frontend teams to clarify requirements, define API contracts, and meet roadmap commitments.
• Monitor production health, resolve edge-case issues, and optimize backend data queries and RPC latency.

Skills

Backend development

Programming languages

CS fundamentals

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Software Engineering

Job description

TikTok is seeking a Software Engineer (Backend) for its Privacy and Security team in San Jose. You will design, build, and scale backend services and APIs that power teen privacy controls and related features, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, high-performance systems.

The role emphasizes delivering robust backend solutions, collaborating closely with PMs, data scientists, and QA, while maintaining production health and code quality.