About the role#
The Search team builds systems that help users find relevant and engaging content on TikTok. We work on search retrieval, ranking, recommendation signals, and infrastructure. This role involves using large-scale machine learning and distributed systems to improve search quality for a global user base.
What you'll do#
- Support the design, implementation, testing, and iteration of search features and tools with guidance from mentors.
- Analyze large-scale data, logs, and metrics to understand user behavior and improve system quality.
- Collaborate with product, data science, and engineering partners to define requirements and meet project milestones.
- Write clear, maintainable code and documentation for your workstreams.
- Share progress, risks, and project findings with stakeholders throughout the internship.
What you'll need#
- You are completing or have recently completed a Bachelor or Master degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field.
- Experience with at least one programming language such as Python, Java, C++, Go, or JavaScript.
- Familiarity with data structures, algorithms, software engineering fundamentals, and system design concepts.
- Experience or interest in search, recommendation, machine learning, information retrieval, natural language processing, ranking, or data mining projects.
- Familiarity with databases, distributed systems, data pipelines, or large-scale backend services.
- Ability to use data to investigate product or system problems and communicate technical ideas clearly.
Location & details#
- Location: San Jose, California, United States
- Term: Summer 2027
- Modality: On-site
- Compensation: $45 - $60 per hour
- Employment: Full-time internship
- Note: This position does not provide visa sponsorship.
About TikTok
TikTok operates as an entertainment provider. The company maintains a global presence with offices in cities including Los Angeles, Singapore, New York, London, and Tokyo. It employs over 92,000 people. The organization is privately held.
How to get in at TikTok
Landing an internship at TikTok requires speed because early applicants often get seen before the pile grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you can apply among the first. This gives you a better chance of your resume being reviewed while the team is still actively filling the position. You should aim to be one of the first people to submit your materials. Reaching out to the right person can also improve your chances of getting a response. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the role or a referral. This direct approach often works better than waiting for a response from a general application queue.
