Backend Software Engineer Intern (TikTok-Global Live-Foundation) - 2027 Summer

TikTok; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Housing allowance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

TikTok is offering a 12-week Summer 2027 internship with the LIVE Foundation Governance Engineering team. Interns will gain hands-on experience in building back-end systems, collaborating with data scientists, governance managers, and operations to develop moderation tools and policy systems.

The program emphasizes practical learning, social events, and workshops, with opportunities to explore career paths and apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

Qualifications

• Currently an undergraduate/graduate student in software-related field.
• Commitment to 12 weeks in Summer 2027.
• Strong knowledge of data structures and algorithms; proficient in at least one language (Go/Java/Python/C++).
• Curiosity about new tech and strong problem-solving skills.
• Solid understanding of scalable software systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, UI designers, and engineers to iterate on data-driven product ideas.
• Improve system design and architecture for reliability, performance, and extensibility.
• Learn TikTok products and contribute to end-to-end solutions.
• Grow by working with colleagues and embracing new challenges.
• Contribute expertise and perspectives to help the team grow.

Skills

Go

Java

Python

C++

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering

Job description

Responsibilities

The TikTok LIVE Foundation Governance Engineering team is a global team responsible for ensuring the quality of live streaming content. It takes on the responsibility of building the backend system, collaborating with data scientists, ecosystem governance managers, the operations team, and the Trust & Safety Algorithm team. Together, we develop human-based and machine-based moderation, the penalty center, and permission governance tools to ensure our content is high quality and enjoyable to our users worldwide.

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.

• Work closely with product managers, data scientists, UI designers, and other engineers to iterate on data driven product ideas.
• Improve system design and architecture to ensure service reliability, performance, and extensibility.
• Learn and understand how TikTok products work and help build end‑to‑end solutions.
• Learn and grow from working with great colleagues and taking on challenges.
• Help our team grow from your expertise, experience, and perspectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an Undergraduate/Graduate in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during the Summer of 2027.
• Strong knowledge of data structures and algorithms, proficient in at least one coding language, including but not limited to Go, Java, Python, C++.
• Curiosity towards new technology and outstanding ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Good grasp of software engineering and how to build a system in a scalable and extensive manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion about techniques and solving challenging problems.
• Understanding of concurrency, database, and message queue.
• Experience in content moderation system.

As a condition of employment, all successful candidates must be able to establish authorization to work in the United States. For this position, the Company does not provide sponsorship or any immigration‑related benefits.

Job Information

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

The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $45- $45.

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location.

• 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:

• 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