Backend Software Engineer Graduate (TikTok - Data Lifecycle Management) - 2027 Start

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a graduate-level Backend Engineer to design, implement, and optimize high-throughput backend microservices for the client data privacy control mid-platform across millions of concurrent instances.

You will translate data protection mandates into automated services with measurable metrics and audit logs, and collaborate with Privacy, Security, and Product teams to embed privacy-by-design in core architectures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in CS, CE, or related field.
• Proficiency in at least one backend language (Golang/Java/C++/Python).
• Strong data structures, algorithms, networks, and OS basics.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize high-throughput backend microservices.
• Build scalable backend systems for real-time tracking and policy enforcement.
• Translate data protection mandates into automated backend services.
• Write clean, high-performance core code for low-latency distributed systems.
• Collaborate with Security, Privacy, and Product teams to embed privacy-by-design.

Skills

Backend languages

CS fundamentals

System design

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree

Job description

Discover a career that energizes and excites you every day.

Location: San Jose

Employment Type: Regular

Job Code: A203950

Responsibilities

About the TeamThe TikTok Eng - Privacy and Security - Data Lifecycle Management (DLM) team builds the core client-data privacy compliance control mid-platform across all applications under the TikTok brand family. Our platform centrally manages data collection, transmission, processing, and sharing behaviors at client runtime. We provide reliable, high-throughput, and scalable data behavior management services to achieve comprehensive client data governance.We are looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a graduate, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth.Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding date by the end of the year. Please state your availability and graduation date clearly in your resume.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.Candidates who pass resume screening will be invited to participate in Our Company's technical online assessment.

• Design, implement, and optimize high-throughput backend microservices for the client data privacy control mid-platform to manage runtime data behaviors across millions of concurrent client instances.


• Build and maintain scalable backend systems for real-time tracking, policy enforcement, and auditable control of data collection, transmission, storage, processing, and retention.


• Translate global data protection mandates into automated backend services to establish measurable metrics and audit logs that strengthen the company’s overall compliance framework.


• Author clean, high-performance core code while tuning low-latency, high-availability distributed systems that handle high-volume data streams without impacting user experience.


• Partner with Security Researchers, Privacy Architects, Product Managers, and the PDPO team to embed privacy-by-design standards directly into core technical architectures from day one.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a Bachelor's/ Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.


• Core Programming Mastery: Strong software engineering foundation with proficiency in at least one backend language (Golang, Java, C++, or Python).


• Computer Science Fundamentals: Solid grounding in data structures, algorithms, operating systems, networking protocols, and database fundamentals.


• System Design & Abstraction: Excellent logical problem-solving abilities, with a capacity to abstract complex compliance requirements into clean, scalable technical designs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Domain Exposure: Academic projects, open-source contributions, or internship experience in distributed systems, data governance, API gateways, access controls, or privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs).

Job Information

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $128000 - $256000 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:

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;


3. 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