Backend Software Engineer Intern

About the role#

As a Backend Software Engineer Intern on the Media Platform team, you will contribute to the infrastructure that powers TikTok's global video services. This role involves partnering with machine learning, product, and infrastructure teams to build intelligent, efficient video workflows including transcoding, content delivery, and media storage. This is a 12-week, full-time, on-site internship.

What you'll do#

• Work on real-world projects that impact billions of users.
• Develop high-performance backend components and tools to improve the reliability and efficiency of video processing systems.
• Contribute to internal tooling, service improvements, and cross-team integration efforts.
• Learn and apply best practices in large-scale distributed system development.

What you'll need#

• Currently pursuing an Undergraduate or Master's degree in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to commit to a 12-week internship during Summer 2026.
• Programming experience with Golang, C, C++, or similar languages.
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system design fundamentals.
• Willingness to learn and contribute in a collaborative environment.
• Preferred: Previous internship or project experience with backend systems, distributed computing, cloud infrastructure, media processing, or network performance optimization.

Location & details#

• Location: San Jose, California
• Term: Summer 2026
• Modality: On-site
• Compensation: $45 per hour