Research Intern (SDN Traffic Intelligence & Control) - 2026 Start (PhD)

ByteDance; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 66,124 - 90,921; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Housing allowance

Paid holidays

Job summary

ByteDance is seeking a Research Intern (SDN Traffic Intelligence & Control) for a 2026 start in Seattle. The role focuses on research and development of Network Verification and Traffic Engineering platforms within the Technology team, aligning with ByteDance’s data center infrastructure.

The internship requires pursuing a PhD in CS/CE or related fields and proficiency in Go, C++, or Python to contribute to distributed software projects.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Proficiency with Go, C++, or Python and ability to develop distributed software.
• Strong learning ability, adaptability, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage in R&D on Network Verification platforms (emulation, Control Plane and Data Plane Verification) to support ByteDance’s data center networks.
• Develop and research Network Traffic Engineering platforms to optimize global traffic control and bandwidth management.

Skills

Go

C++

Python

Education

PhD candidate in CS/CE or related

Tools

Distributed software development

Job description

Research Intern (SDN Traffic Intelligence & Control) - 2026 Start (PhD)

Location: Seattle

Team: Technology

Employment Type: Intern

Job Code: A161643

Responsibilities

• Engage in research and development efforts on Network Verification platforms (encompassing emulation, Control Plane Verification, and Data Plane Verification) to support network operators and architects in designing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting ByteDance's large-scale data center networks.
• Conduct development and research work on Network Traffic Engineering platforms to optimize global traffic control and network bandwidth management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Proficiency in using one or several mainstream programming languages (Go, C++, Python) and the ability to develop distributed software.
• Quick learning and adaptability; perseverance and spirit of studying technical details; good at communication and exchange.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated networking research experience from previous internship, work experience or publications; research area related to optimization, network traffic engineering or network verification.
• High levels of creativity and quick problem-solving capabilities.

Benefits

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.

EEO Statement

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with 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.

The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $57- $57.