Software Engineer Project Intern(Video-on-Demand Algorithm) - 2026 Start (BS/MS)

Responsibilities

The Video-on-Demand (VoD) Algorithm team is responsible for optimizing the app experience related to performance for TikTok users. This team collaborates with all teams within and beyond the VoD team, to provide algorithmic support for end-to-end optimization solutions, including video shooting, uploading, processing, delivery, and playback, etc. As a project intern, you will have the opportunity to engage in impactful short-term projects that provide you with a glimpse of professional real-world experience. You will gain practical skills through on-the-job learning in a fast-paced work environment and develop a deeper understanding of your career interests. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis - we encourage you to apply early. Responsibilities - Design and implement media streaming-related algorithms to improve TikTok user experience. Examples include video preloading, adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR), network bandwidth estimation, CDN traffic allocation, and transport-layer algorithms, to name a few. - Contribute to end-to-end media ecosystem design to improve the algorithmization of the multimedia system. - Run controlled experiments on millions of streaming sessions to validate improvements.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: - Currently pursuing an Master's Degree in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline - Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2026 - Industry or academic experience in the multimedia or network domain. - Proven ability to develop new algorithms and identify problems in existing solutions. - Fluent in statistics and data analysis. Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with shipping software on behalf of a major brand at scale is a big plus. - Experience with learning-based model development is a big plus. By submitting an application for this role, you accept and agree to our global applicant privacy policy, which may be accessed here:

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:


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.


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