Software Engineer Intern (Monetization Technology - Ads Creative AI) - 2026 Summer (BS/MS)
Responsibilities
A "creative" is the ad (in the form of a short-form video) served to TikTok users, composed of video, background music, call-to-action card, post-click landing page, and other formats that get delivered to users. A quote goes "creativity is the soul of advertising", because a good ad creative is effective, yet difficult to produce, especially at the scale of TikTok advertising.
The TikTok Ads Creative & Ecosystem team's mission is to solve the above dilemma, by building industry-leading tech solutions for ads creative/landing page understanding, production/generation, and optimization, to inspire and empower advertisers, creators, and other 3rd parties in the ecosystem to create and deliver the best engaging creative experiences to the end users. Our work is at the core of TikTok and creator monetization. Examples of our team's work include TikTok video editor, AI-powered smart video generation (we are also exploring AIGC), and TikTok creative exchange (a creative marketplace to connect TikTok advertisers with creators or third-party creative agencies).
We are user/product oriented and dedicated to technical excellence. We aim to drive and lead the technology renovation in the ads tech and creative industry, powering products and driving values for our clients, creators, and the whole ecosystem. We are excited to grow advertisers' and users' business understanding, build highly scalable and reliable software/infrastructure, partner across functions with global teams, and make big impacts. If you are someone who welcomes challenges, we are eager to have you on the team!
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.
Internships at TikTok aim to provide students with hands-on experience in developing fundamental skills and exploring potential career paths. A vibrant blend of social events and enriching development workshops will be available for you to explore. Here, you will utilize your knowledge in real-world scenarios while laying a strong foundation for personal and professional growth. It runs for 12 weeks.
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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 as early as possible. Please state your availability clearly in your resume (Start date, End date).
Summer Start Dates:
- May 11th, 2026
- May 18th, 2026
- May 26th, 2026
- June 8th, 2026
- June 22nd, 2026
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.
Responsibilities:
1. Assist in the development and maintenance of the AIGC generation architecture for ad creatives, supporting the creation of efficient data processing pipelines and strategy frameworks. Collaborate with the algorithm team to support business iteration.
2. Help manage and maintain features and sample data relevant to AIGC, ensuring the infrastructure supports training and inference for AIGC models.
3. Contribute to enhancing platform capabilities by supporting the design of flexible workflows for ad creative generation scenarios, minimizing integration costs for both R&D and algorithm teams.
4. Work closely with product and design teams to understand business requirements and assist in translating them into scalable AIGC solutions for personalized ad creative generation.
5. Support performance monitoring and optimization of AIGC models, identifying areas for improvement to enhance the quality and efficiency of ad creatives generated at scale.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Final year student or recent graduate in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience by 2026.
2. Must be able to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2026.
3. Experience with building and optimizing data pipelines for AI model training and deployment through coursework or internships.
4. Familiarity with AIGC technologies and their application in ad creative generation, including understanding model training and inference requirements.
5. Proficiency in Python, with experience using deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
6. Solid understanding of algorithms, data management, and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams.
7. Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Prior internship or research experience in AIGC, particularly in ad creative or content generation.
2. Knowledge of workflow orchestration tools and experience with model deployment systems.
3. Exposure to cloud technologies and distributed systems for scalable AI operations.
4. Strong problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to design and implement efficient, scalable solutions.
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
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.