Software Engineer Intern (Ads) - 2027 Summer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Housing allowance

Paid holidays

Paid sick time

Job summary

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is seeking students for a 12-week Summer 2027 internship in the U.S. ads platform team. You will gain hands-on experience in building data frameworks, distributed systems, and cross-functional collaboration.

The program emphasizes ownership, learning, and contribution to high-impact engineering initiatives while working on scalable ad delivery infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• Able to commit to a 12-week internship during Summer 2027.
• Experience in programming: C, C++, Java or Golang; strong ownership and communication.

Responsibilities

• Build and operate big data computing frameworks and storage systems.
• Design and optimize high-concurrency distributed systems for peak traffic.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive large-scale engineering initiatives.
• Drive technical innovation by integrating new ideas into the platform.
• Enhance system efficiency to support rapid growth of the ads ecosystem.

Skills

C

C++

Java

Golang

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering (preferred)

Job description

Responsibilities

About the team

TikTok USDS Ads team focus on building and scaling the systems that power ads delivery, monetization, and user experience in the U.S. From improving ads performance and efficiency, to strengthening infrastructure reliability, to enabling global expansion, the team is focused on building a platform that is both high-performing and trusted in the U.S.

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.

• Build and operate innovative big data computing frameworks and storage systems to empower large-scale platform services.
• Design and optimize high-concurrency distributed systems to ensure stability during peak global traffic.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to drive large-scale engineering initiatives.
• Drive technical innovation by integrating new ideas and emerging technologies into the core platform.
• Enhance system efficiency and scalability to support the rapid growth of the global Ads ecosystem.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Able to commit to a 12-week internship during Summer 2027.
• Experience in programming, included but not limited to the following programming languages: C, C++, Java or Golang;
• Effective communication skills and a sense of ownership and drive.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in AI coding is a plus.
• Strong learning ability, clear communication, and a strong sense of teamwork and responsibility.

Job Information

About USDS

TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision‑making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.

On‑site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real‑time decision‑making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in‑person schedule up to 5 days a week.

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.

USDS Reasonable Accommodation

USDS 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.

For Pay Transparency Compensation Description (hourly)

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.