Software Engineer Intern (Media Engine) - 2027 Summer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Housing allowance

Paid holidays

Paid sick time

Job summary

TikTok is offering a campus internship on its Live Arch team in San Jose to work on Live/RTC streaming features across iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. You will participate in designing, implementing, and optimizing multimedia and network components that power our live streaming experience for creators and global users.

The internship emphasizes hands‑on experience, industry exposure, and collaboration with industry professionals.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Strong foundation in computer science, networking, and operating systems.
• Solid background in multimedia technologies, including image/signal processing, video codecs, or multimedia streaming.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: C/C++, Java/Kotlin, Objective‑C/Swift, Python, or Golang.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop new features on our Live/RTC streaming media platform for TikTok Live.
• Design and implement multimedia and network programs in client SDK and media server.
• Develop multimedia solutions across iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
• Innovate in video algorithms and network transmission to enhance user experience.
• Analyze data, fine‑tune parameters and optimize the Live/RTC services end to end.
• Explore cutting‑edge technologies and contribute to innovation initiatives.

Skills

C/C++

Java/Kotlin

Python

Objective-C/Swift

Golang

Networking basics

Teamwork

Communication

Education

B.S./M.S. in CS/Math

Tools

FFmpeg

GStreamer

OBS Studio

VLC

x264

x265

WebRTC

RTP/RTCP

VoIP

Job description

Responsibilities

About the team. The Live Arch team is mainly responsible for the iteration of requirements for TikTok Live's streaming media-related business and the continuous evolution of its technology. We are committed to providing the global users of TikTok Live with the most advanced live streaming product experience. We expect that through continuous technological optimization and innovation, we can offer creators opportunities to present their truest selves, share their lives in real time and bring happiness to everyone.

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.

• Research and develop new features on our Live/RTC streaming media platform for TikTok Live.
• Design and implement multimedia and network programs in client SDK and media server.
• Develop multimedia solutions across iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
• Innovate in video algorithms and network transmission to enhance user experience.
• Analyze data, fine‑tune parameters and optimize the Live/RTC services end to end.
• Explore cutting‑edge technologies and contribute to innovation initiatives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field;
• Strong foundation in computer science, networking, and operating systems;
• Solid background in multimedia technologies, including image/signal processing, video codecs, or multimedia streaming;
• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: C/C++, Java/Kotlin, Objective‑C/Swift, Python, or Golang;
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in signal processing, video compression, video codecs or video processing algorithms.
• Strong knowledge of network algorithms, including congestion control, loss recovery, bandwidth estimation, latency measurement and control, socket optimization, and real‑time video transmission protocols.
• Hands‑on experience with multimedia frameworks and tools such as FFmpeg, GStreamer, OBS Studio, VLC, x264, x265, WebRTC, RTP/RTCP streaming, or VoIP products.
• Experience with iOS frameworks (e.g., Core Data, Core Animation) or Android SDK.
• Familiarity with media servers such as Nginx RTMP module, Licode, Kurento, mediasoup, or Jitsi.
• Experience in video chat, live streaming, or video conferencing solutions.

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;
• 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