Computer Engineer Intern Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities
About the Team We are looking for a passionate Software Engineer to join our Model Infrastructure team, building the next generation of infrastructure for TikTok's For You recommendation system and Large Language Models (LLMs). Our team develops the core training and serving infrastructure that powers one of the world's largest recommendation systems, enabling billions of personalized recommendations every day. We are also advancing the next generation of AI infrastructure for foundation models and LLMs, driving innovation in large-scale model training, online inference, and GPU optimization. As part of the team, you will work on distributed training and inference systems, high-performance GPU computing, and scalable LLM infrastructure. You'll collaborate closely with experienced engineers and researchers to transform cutting-edge AI technologies into production systems that directly impact the experience of hundreds of millions of TikTok users. This role is ideal for candidates who are passionate about LLM systems, distributed computing, GPU programming, and building AI systems at massive scale. WWe are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship. Our internship program offers students hands-on experience, industry exposure, and opportunities to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges while building a strong foundation for personal and professional growth. Interns will gain practical experience, explore potential career paths, and participate in social events, learning programs, and development workshops alongside industry professionals. Candidates may apply to a maximum of two positions across Our Company and its affiliates globally. Applications will be considered in the order they are submitted. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Please clearly state your availability in your resume, including your start and end dates. Responsibilities - Build and optimize infrastructure for large-scale model training and online inference. - Develop distributed systems supporting large recommendation models and LLMs. - Improve training and inference performance through GPU optimization and efficient communication. - Collaborate with researchers to develop and deploy LLM training and serving solutions. - Analyze system bottlenecks and implement performance optimizations.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications - Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline. - Strong programming skills in C++ or Python. - Good understanding of data structures, algorithms, and computer systems. - Familiarity with PyTorch or TensorFlow. - Knowledge of Transformer architectures and Large Language Models (LLMs). - Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for building large-scale AI systems. Preferred Qualifications - Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline. - Hands-on experience with LLM training or inference through research, internships, or open-source projects. - Familiarity with distributed training concepts (e.g., DP, TP, PP, FSDP, ZeRO). - Experience with GPU programming using CUDA, Triton, or similar technologies. - Understanding of LLM serving techniques such as KV Cache, Continuous Batching, or FlashAttention. - Contributions to open-source projects or research in machine learning systems, distributed systems, or LLM infrastructure.
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