Tech Lead - Data Infrastructure Site Reliability

ByteDance; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 254,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

ByteDance is seeking a Technical Lead (SRE) to provide deep technical leadership in building and operating large-scale data infrastructure with high reliability. You will partner with engineering, product, data, and infrastructure teams to deliver resilient, scalable platforms and drive architectural improvements.

This is a highly technical, hands-on role requiring strong problem-solving skills and the ability to influence across organizations without formal authority.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Site Reliability Engineering, Software Development, or related fields with cloud focus.
• Hands-on expertise in Kubernetes, databases, or big data, with strong system design skills.
• Strong knowledge of distributed systems and performance bottlenecks.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and operation of large-scale cloud infrastructure and distributed systems.
• Collaborate across Advertising, ML, E‑commerce, and Core Infra to improve reliability and scalability.
• Drive automation, reduce toil, and improve operational efficiency.
• Troubleshoot production issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement long-term fixes.
• Promote best practices in design, observability, performance, and cost efficiency.
• Convey complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

SRE experience

Cloud infrastructure

Distributed systems

Root-cause analysis

Technical leadership

Tools

Kubernetes

SQL/NoSQL databases

Big Data processing

Job description

Responsibilities

Team Introduction: Our Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) team blends software and systems engineering to build and operate large-scale data infrastructure with high reliability and efficiency. We provide a dependable cloud environment that powers our global business. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in data center architecture, data infrastructure services, and systems and tools development to solve complex scaling and reliability challenges.

We’re looking for a Technical Lead (SRE) who can provide deep technical leadership, drive architectural improvements, and collaborate effectively across multiple organizations. You’ll partner with engineering, product, data, and infrastructure teams to deliver resilient, scalable platforms. This is a highly technical, hands-on role that requires strong problem-solving ability, clear communication, and the ability to influence without formal authority.

• Strong hands-on skills in the design, development, and operation of large-scale cloud infrastructure and distributed systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Advertising, Machine Learning, E-commerce, and Core Infra) to drive system reliability, performance, and scalability.
• Lead initiatives to automate operations, eliminate toil, and improve overall system efficiency.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues, perform root-cause analysis, and drive long-term reliability improvements.
• Promote best practices in system design, observability, performance optimization, and cost efficiency.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Site Reliability Engineering, Software Development, or related fields, with a strong focus on designing, building, scaling, and operating cloud-based systems.
• Deep hands-on expertise in at least one of the following areas:
  • Databases (SQL/NoSQL)
  • Kubernetes or container orchestration
  • Big Data processing and storage systems (streaming and batch)
• Strong knowledge of system architecture, distributed systems, and performance bottlenecks.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across engineering, product, and data science teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record of driving automation, tooling, and process improvements that enhance reliability and efficiency.
• Experience in cost optimization and performance tuning at scale, backed by data-driven decision making.
• Thought leadership in adopting new technologies, improving operational practices, and influencing system design.

About Us

Founded in 2012, ByteDance's mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. With a suite of more than a dozen products, including TikTok, Lemon8, CapCut and Pico as well as platforms specific to the China market, including Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, ByteDance has made it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.

Why Join ByteDance

Inspiring creativity is at the core of ByteDance's mission. Our innovative products are 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 enrich life - a mission we work towards every day.

As ByteDancers, 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. 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

ByteDance 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 ByteDance, our mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. 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.

Reasonable Accommodation

ByteDance 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

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $254400 - $480000 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:

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:

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.