Software Engineer Intern (Recommendation Infrastructure) - 2026 Summer (BS/MS)

Team Overview The Recommendation Infrastructure Team is responsible for building reliable, efficient, flexible, and generic recommendation components, systems, and platforms. Our work supports the fast iteration and incubation of TikTok's recommendation products. Internship Overview We are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship in 2026. Internships at TikTok aim to offer students industry exposure and hands‑on experience. Turn your ambitions into reality as your inspiration brings infinite opportunities at TikTok. Internship Duration and Start Dates This internship program runs for 12 weeks beginning in May/June 2026. Successful candidates must commit to one of the following start dates: 5/11/2026 5/18/2026 5/26/2026 6/8/2026 6/22/2026 Please state your availability clearly in your resume (start date, end date). Candidates can apply to a maximum of two positions and will be considered in the order applied. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; we encourage early application. Responsibilities Build and maintain high‑performance online services for TikTok's recommendation system. Build extremely efficient and reliable data pipelines for candidate generation, profile generation, training example generation, real‑time online training, etc. Work with your mentor to build a globalized large‑scale recommendation system. Design and develop high‑performance computing frameworks and storage systems. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Must be able to commit to a 12‑week full‑time work period during Summer 2026. Currently pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degree in software development, computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline. Experience in programming, including but not limited to C, C++, Java, or Golang. Effective communication skills and a sense of ownership and drive. Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment. Preferred Qualifications: Graduating December 2025 or later with intent to return to the degree program after the internship. Demonstrated software engineering experience from previous internship, work experience, coding competitions, or publications. Experience in personalized recommendations, search engine, machine learning, distributed storage system, or big data frameworks is a plus. Compensation and Benefits Hourly rate: $42.75. Benefits may vary by location. Interns receive day‑one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, and more. Interns also receive ten paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in the first half of the year, 40 if hired in the second half). Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for a housing allowance. Fair Chance Employment Policy 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. 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, with additional offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. 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 worldwide, and so does our workplace. We celebrate diverse voices and foster an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. Accommodations 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr Tik Tok