Backend Software Engineer Intern (TikTok - Product Infrastructure) - 2027 Summer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Housing allowance

10 paid holidays per year

Paid sick time

Job summary

TikTok offers an internship focused on backend services across its ecosystem, with a 12-week Summer 2027 program. Interns will work with Go, Java, C++, and Python, gaining hands-on experience in scalable, secure distributed systems and collaborating with engineers and cross‑functional partners.

The program emphasizes learning, social events, and development workshops while applying knowledge to real‑world challenges in identity and access services across TikTok's platforms.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an Undergraduate/Master degree in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Programming experience in Go, Java, C++, Python, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with backend development patterns and database fundamentals (e.g. SQL / NoSQL).
• Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during the Summer of 2027.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing, testing, deploying, and maintaining backend services within our distributed systems.
• Work closely with engineers and cross‑functional partners to maintain best practices and technical excellence.
• Help analyze and improve system efficiency, scalability, and stability, contributing to system health monitoring and optimization.

Skills

Go

Java

C++

Python

SQL/NoSQL

Education

Undergraduate/Master in Software Development/CS/CE

Tools

Backend services

Distributed systems

Job description

Responsibilities

The Account team supports identity and access services across TikTok and its ecosystem, including commerce, music, live video, and business offerings. This foundational service empowers innovation and business expansion worldwide. Interns will engage with system-level challenges around scalability, reliability, security, and performance.

The Account team supports identity and access services across TikTok and its ecosystem, including commerce, music, live video, and business offerings. This foundational service empowers innovation and business expansion worldwide. Interns will engage with system-level challenges around scalability, reliability, security, and performance.

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 may apply to a maximum of two positions across Our Company and its affiliates globally. Applications will be considered in the order they are submitted.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Please clearly state your availability in your resume, including your start and end dates.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing, testing, deploying, and maintaining backend services within our distributed systems.


• Work closely with engineers and cross‑functional partners to maintain best practices and technical excellence.


• Help analyze and improve system efficiency, scalability, and stability, contributing to system health monitoring and optimization.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an Undergraduate/Master degree in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.


• Programming experience in Go, Java, C++, Python, or similar languages.


• Familiarity with backend development patterns and database fundamentals (e.g. SQL / NoSQL).


• Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during the Summer of 2027.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience using or developing AI agents and agentic workflows


• High levels of creativity and quick problem‑solving capabilities.


• Strong learning ability, clear communication, and a strong sense of teamwork and responsibility.


• Proficient in C/C++, Python, and shell programming languages, and have a deep understanding of data structure and algorithm design.

By submitting an application for this role, you accept and agree to our global applicant privacy policy, which may be accessed here: https://careers.tiktok.com/legal/privacy

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

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