Backend Software Engineer Intern (Global E-Commerce) - 2027 Summer

TikTok; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Housing allowance

Job summary

TikTok is seeking interns for the Global E-Commerce Backend team in Seattle to build scalable backend services for e‑commerce experiences and platform operations. You will optimize performance, contribute to APIs and internal tools, and participate in design reviews, testing, and debugging as part of the software lifecycle.

The program emphasizes AI‑assisted development and collaboration in a fast‑moving, globally distributed team.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with backend development and proficiency in at least one programming language such as Java, Golang, Python, Scala, or C++.
• Basic understanding of data structures, algorithms, computer networks, and database fundamentals.
• Familiarity with common backend components such as relational databases, cache systems, or messaging systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop efficient, scalable, and secure backend services that support E-commerce product experiences and platform operations.
• Assist with optimizing service performance, data processing, and system reliability under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Contribute to APIs, internal tools, or platform components that improve engineering or business efficiency.
• Participate in system design discussions, code reviews, testing, and debugging as part of the development lifecycle.
• Learn and apply AI-assisted development practices to improve coding efficiency, documentation, debugging, and engineering productivity.
• Explore backend scenarios that support AI-enabled product features, automation, or intelligent decision‑making workflows where applicable.

Skills

Backend development

Java

Golang

Python

Scala

C++

Data structures

Algorithms

Databases

Education

Pursuing Bachelor's or Master's in CS

Tools

Relational databases

Cache systems

Messaging systems

Job description

Responsibilities

Global E-Commerce Team is a content E-commerce business with international short video products as the carrier. It is committed to becoming the first choice for users to discover and purchase good products at affordable prices. The global E-commerce business team hopes to provide users with a more tailored and efficient consumption experience, enabling merchants to receive reliable platform services in different scenarios such as live E-commerce, and short video content E-commerce, so as to make more affordable and high-quality products sell easily and a better life within reach.

We are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship. Our internship program offers students hands‑on experience, industry exposure, and opportunities to apply their knowledge to real‑world challenges while building a strong foundation for personal and professional growth.

Interns will gain practical experience, explore potential career paths, and participate in social events, learning programs, and development workshops alongside industry professionals.

Candidates who pass resume screening will be invited to participate in Our Company's technical online assessment.

Responsibilities

• Develop efficient, scalable, and secure backend services that support E-commerce product experiences and platform operations.
• Assist with optimizing service performance, data processing, and system reliability under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Contribute to APIs, internal tools, or platform components that improve engineering or business efficiency.
• Participate in system design discussions, code reviews, testing, and debugging as part of the development lifecycle.
• Learn and apply AI-assisted development practices to improve coding efficiency, documentation, debugging, and engineering productivity.
• Explore backend scenarios that support AI-enabled product features, automation, or intelligent decision‑making workflows where applicable.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with backend development and proficiency in at least one programming language such as Java, Golang, Python, Scala, or C++.
• Basic understanding of data structures, algorithms, computer networks, and database fundamentals.
• Familiarity with common backend components such as relational databases, cache systems, or messaging systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong problem‑solving skills, learning agility, and sense of ownership.
• Interest in large‑scale distributed systems, platform engineering, or data‑intensive applications.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted coding tools, engineering automation, or backend systems supporting intelligent product capabilities.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, collaborative, and globally distributed team environment.

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Hourly) - Campus Intern

The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $42.75- $42.75.

• Interns have day one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more.
• Interns also receive 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in first half of year, 40 if hired in second half of year).
• Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for housing allowance.

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:

• Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
• Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
• 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