Senior Backend Software Engineer - Customer Service Platform - Global E-Commerce Customer Service Platform

TikTok; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 368,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a senior backend engineer to join the Customer Service Platform team in Seattle. You will design and build scalable backend services, APIs, and distributed systems that power global e-commerce experiences across live and short-video commerce.

You will own the end-to-end development lifecycle, from design to deployment, and collaborate with multiple teams to optimize performance, reliability, and scalability in a high-traffic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional software development with backend focus.
• Proficiency in Java, Go, C++, or Python.
• Strong knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and OOP.
• Experience designing scalable backend services, APIs, and distributed systems.
• Understanding of databases, caching, messaging, and data modeling.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and systems.
• Own the end-to-end development lifecycle from design to deployment and optimization.
• Build and optimize APIs, microservices, and distributed systems to meet complex requirements.
• Identify performance bottlenecks, improve reliability, and ensure scalability as demand grows.
• Drive technical design discussions and contribute to long-term architectural strategy.

Skills

Backend development

Java

Go

C++

Python

APIs

Distributed systems

Data structures

OOP

Scalability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Databases

Caching

Messaging systems

Job description

Location:

Seattle

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Code:

A126298

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Responsibilities

Global E-commerce is a discovery-driven e-commerce business, working to become a destination for users to discover and buy good products at affordable prices. We build a shopping experience that feels tailored to each user, and a platform merchants can rely on across live and short-video commerce.The Customer Service Platform team builds and supports global customer service capabilities across key countries and regions, connecting consumers and merchants through the full service journey, from pre-sales inquiries to order support and after-sales care. By combining intelligent self-service with agent-facing tools and human support, we improve service efficiency and resolve complex customer needs at global scale.You will build the self-service solutions users rely on and the tools agents work in, shaping the customer service experience across global markets.Global E-commerce is a discovery-driven e-commerce business, working to become a destination for users to discover and buy good products at affordable prices. We build a shopping experience that feels tailored to each user, and a platform merchants can rely on across live and short-video commerce.The Customer Service Platform team builds and supports global customer service capabilities across key countries and regions, connecting consumers and merchants through the full service journey, from pre-sales inquiries to order support and after-sales care. By combining intelligent self-service with agent-facing tools and human support, we improve service efficiency and resolve complex customer needs at global scale. You will build the self-service solutions users rely on and the tools agents work in, shaping the customer service experience across global markets.

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable, reliable, and high-performance backend services and systems.
• Own the end-to-end development lifecycle, from technical design and implementation to testing, deployment, and ongoing optimization.
• Build and optimize APIs, microservices, and distributed systems to support complex business requirements.
• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, improve system reliability, and ensure scalability as business demands grow.
• Drive technical design discussions, evaluate architectural trade-offs, and contribute to long-term technical strategy.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience, with a strong focus on backend engineering.
• Proficiency in at least one backend programming language, such as Java, Go, C++, or Python.
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, object-oriented programming, and software design principles.
• Hands-on experience designing and developing scalable backend services, APIs, and distributed systems.
• Solid understanding of databases, caching, messaging systems, and data modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building and operating large-scale, high-concurrency, or high-availability distributed systems.
• Experience with e-commerce platforms, transaction systems, or other large-scale consumer-facing products.
• Demonstrated ability to independently own complex technical projects and drive solutions across multiple teams.

Job Information

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $207480 - $368220 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; and
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

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