Networking Software Engineer Intern (Switch R&D)

Job Description

About the Company

ByteDance, founded in 2012, operates with the mission to inspire creativity and enrich life. The company offers a diverse suite of products globally, including well-known platforms like TikTok, Lemon8, CapCut, and Pico. Additionally, it manages platforms specific to the China market such as Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, all designed to facilitate connection, consumption, and creation of content.

ByteDance emphasizes a culture where creativity is at its core, enabling authentic self-expression and discovery. The company’s global and diverse teams are instrumental in achieving this mission, creating value for communities and enriching lives. As “ByteDancers,” employees are encouraged to achieve great things with great people, leading with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make an impact in a rapidly growing tech environment. The company fosters an “Always Day 1” mindset, promoting constant iteration and meaningful breakthroughs.

ByteDance is strongly committed to Diversity & Inclusion, striving to create an inclusive space where all employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. The company aims for its workplace to reflect the many communities its global platforms reach.

For candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other reasons protected by applicable laws, ByteDance is committed to providing Reasonable Accommodations in its recruitment processes.

About the Job: Networking Internship (Summer 2026)

This internship at ByteDance is within the Networking organization, specifically with the in-house Switch R&D team. ByteDance Networking is responsible for designing, building, and operating a global, intelligent network infrastructure that meets high standards of availability, scalability, and performance.

About the Team:
The in-house Switch R&D team is pivotal in shaping the future of network infrastructure. This team drives the co-design of both switch software and hardware, developing a cutting-edge Network Operating System (NOS) that runs on advanced switch silicon. Interns will contribute to building high-performance, programmable, and resilient systems that power ByteDance’s global platforms, gaining hands-on experience in large-scale software development and network operations for some of the world’s most used services.

General Internship Information:
Internships at ByteDance are designed to offer students significant industry exposure and hands-on experience, aiding in the development of fundamental skills and exploration of potential career paths. The program runs for 12 weeks during Summer 2026. It includes a vibrant blend of social events and enriching development workshops, allowing interns to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and build a strong foundation for personal and professional growth.

Application Process:
Candidates can apply to a maximum of two positions globally across ByteDance and its affiliates. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early application is encouraged. Applicants must clearly state their availability (start and end dates) in their resume.

Summer 2026 Start Dates:
• May 11th, 2026
• May 18th, 2026
• May 26th, 2026
• June 8th, 2026
• June 22nd, 2026

Online Assessment:
Candidates who successfully pass the resume screening will be invited to participate in ByteDance’s technical online assessment.

Responsibilities:
• Design and test core functionalities of the Network Operating System (NOS) that powers data center networks.
• Research and implement new networking, monitoring, and telemetry technologies to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and availability of data center infrastructure.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Communications, or a related technical field.
• Ability to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2026.
• Possesses a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures.
• Proficient in at least one programming language, including but not limited to C, C++, Python, or Go.
• Demonstrates a strong interest in high-speed networking, hardware-software interaction, and hardware offloading technologies.
• Has a basic understanding of the operation of switches and routers, along with fundamental knowledge of embedded systems and processor architecture.
• Familiar with Linux systems; comfortable using the Linux command line and editors such as Vim or Emacs.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in network software or protocol development.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proficiency in software debugging and troubleshooting.

Job Information (Compensation & Benefits):
The hourly rate range for this Campus Intern position in the selected city is $36 – $45.
Benefits may vary by employment nature and country. Interns receive day one access to health insurance, life insurance, and wellbeing benefits. They also get 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in the first half of the year, 40 hours if hired in the second half). Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for a housing allowance. The company reserves the right to modify these benefits programs at any time.

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
ByteDance considers qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. The company notes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship on certain job duties, potentially leading to the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. These duties include:
• Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues.
• Appropriately handling and managing confidential information, including proprietary and trade secret information, and access to information technology systems.
• Exercising sound judgment.