Backend Software Engineer Intern (Reliability) - 2026 Start (BS/MS)
Responsibilities
Team Introduction
Every time someone uploads, or watches a short video on TikTok, our team is working behind the scenes to make it happen - smoothly, instantly, and reliably. The Short Video Reliability team is where software engineering meets site reliability, and we run the world's largest short video posting and delivery systems.
We're not just keeping the lights on. We're building systems that adapt to anything: a sudden viral trend, a massive global event, a data center switch, or a rare disaster scenario. If something big happens on TikTok, chances are we've prepared for it.
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. Watch your ambitions become reality as your inspiration brings infinite opportunities at TikTok.
Candidates can apply to a maximum of two positions and will be considered for jobs in the order you apply. The application limit is applicable to TikTok and its affiliates' jobs globally.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis - we encourage you to apply early.
Successful candidates must be able to commit to at least 3 months long internship period.
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Successful candidates must be able to commit to either of the following Internships
- From January to June (onboard by 12 Jan 2026)
- From May to August (onboard by 11 May 2026)
Responsibilities:
- Design and build systems that adjust on the fly to infrastructure changes, data center moves, and global events
- Create smart traffic management that can handle viral video surges without breaking a sweat
- Build tools to spot and fix issues before they reach users
- Keep TikTok running smoothly across continents and time zones
- Develop systems for mapping, capacity planning, disaster recovery, and incident automation
- Test our systems with chaos engineering so they can handle anything thrown at them
- Use A/B testing to measure real-world improvements in stability, performance, and user experience
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Undergraduate or Postgraduate in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar
- Solid coding skills in at least one of Python, Java, Golang, C++, or C
- Understanding of distributed systems, networking, and large-scale architecture
- Experience with Linux/Unix and cloud environments
- A genuine passion for building reliable, high-scale systems
Preferred Qualifications:
- Open-source contributions or competitive programming experience
- Research or internship experience in distributed/high-availability systems
- Ability to debug complex issues under pressure
- Great communication skills and comfort working with global teams
By submitting an application for this role, you accept and agree to our global applicant privacy policy, which may be accessed here: https://careers.tiktok.com/legal/privacy
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at apac-earlycareers@tiktok.com
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- HSA
- Life Insurance
- Fitness Subsidies
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- On-Site Gym
- Mental Health Benefits
- Virtual Fitness Classes
Parental Benefits
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Snacks
- Pet-friendly Office
- Happy Hours
- Some Meals Provided
- Company Outings
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Performance Bonus
- Company Equity
Professional Development
- Promote From Within
- Access to Online Courses
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
- Mentor Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
Company Videos
Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at TikTok.