About the role#
The Search Data Infrastructure team manages the data layer for TikTok search. We handle the ingestion and indexing of billions of videos and articles. Our systems compute features and transform user actions into training data for retrieval and ranking models. You will work on petabyte-scale systems to support search functionality.
What you'll do#
- Build and own video and query pipelines, including ingestion and index construction at a billion-document scale.
- Develop feature engineering platforms covering computation, storage, and serving with consistent results.
- Create streaming and batch pipelines that convert user actions into training data.
- Enhance data quality, observability, and cost efficiency across large-scale storage and compute resources.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Bachelor or Master degree program in Computer Science or a related technical field.
- Proficiency in Java, C++, or Python.
- Experience with data frameworks like Spark, Flink, or Hive/Iceberg.
- Knowledge of distributed systems fundamentals.
- Ability to debug and optimize production systems.
- Experience with search, recommendation, or ads data infrastructure is helpful.
- Familiarity with feature stores, training sample pipelines, real-time indexing, and vector retrieval.
- Experience using AI coding assistants to support development tasks.
Location & details#
- Role: Software Engineer Intern (TikTok Search Data Infra)
- Location: San Jose, California
- Term: Summer 2027
- Modality: On-site
- Employment: Full-time internship
- Compensation: $45 per hour
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.
