Software Engineer Intern (Computer Graphics, Rendering and VFX- Graphics Engine) – 2025 Summer (BS/MS)

Founded in 2012, ByteDance’s mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. With a suite of more than a dozen products, including TikTok as well as platforms specific to the China market, including Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, ByteDance has made it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.

Why Join Us

Creation is the core of ByteDance’s purpose. Our products are built to help imaginations thrive. This is doubly true of the teams that make our innovations possible.

Together, we inspire creativity and enrich life – a mission we aim towards achieving every day.

To us, every challenge, no matter how ambiguous, is an opportunity; to learn, to innovate, and to grow as one team. Status quo? Never. Courage? Always.

At ByteDance, we create together and grow together. That’s how we drive impact – for ourselves, our company, and the users we serve.

Join us.

TEAM INTRODUCTION

Duties

Our team is responsible for developing the underlying engine that powers AR effects across various Bytedance apps (TikTok, Douyin, CapCut…). From concept to execution, we collaborate closely to craft innovative AR experiences that meet user needs. Our duties:

• Build robust, efficient engine that perform seamlessly on different devices.
• Fine-tune graphics performance for real-time rendering, ensuring fluid and responsive interactions.
• Experiment with advanced shader techniques to enhance visual fidelity and realism.

We are looking for talented individuals to join us for an internship in 2025. Internships at ByteDance aim to offer students industry exposure and hands-on experience. Turn your ambitions into reality as your inspiration brings infinite opportunities at ByteDance.

Skills

Internships at ByteDance 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. This Internship Program runs for 12 weeks beginning in May/June 2025. Successful candidates must be able to commit to one of the following summer internship start dates below:

Monday, May 12

Monday, May 19

Tuesday May 27 (Memorial Day May 26)

Monday, June 9

Monday, June 23

We will prioritize candidates who are able to commit to these start dates. Please state your availability clearly in your resume (Start date, End date).

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 ByteDance and its affiliates’ jobs globally. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis – we encourage you to apply early.

Responsibilities

• Develop the latest state of art AR graphics rendering technology
• Work closely with AI researchers to integrate cutting edge new AR/AI algorithms.
• Collaborate with tools team engineers to improve the capabilities of effect creation tools and optimize the effect design workflow.
• Work closely with creative design team and product managers to deliver the most fun, expressive, and delightful experiences.
• Optimize rendering performance by identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the graphics pipeline, leveraging hardware capabilities, and implementing efficient algorithms.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing an Bachelors or Masters in Computer Science or a related technical discipline
• Able to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer 2025
• Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.
• Strong understanding of one or more graphics APIs (OpenGL, DirectX, Metal, or Vulkan) and shader programming languages (such as HLSL or GLSL).
• Strong understanding and hands-on experiences of asset pipeline, scripting, shader, real-time rendering pipeline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduating December 2025 onwards with the intent to return to degree program after the completion of the internship.
• Solid background in designing, programming, and prototyping using real-time 3D engines, including but not limited to Unity, Unreal, Open Frameworks, Processing, Cinder, Three.js and WebGL/OpenGL.
• Proficiency in graphics debugging and optimization, including GPU profiling and performance analysis tools is preferred.
• Familiar with asset creation tools (Maya, Z-brush, Houdini, Substance Designer, Marvelous Designer, etc.) is preferred
• Experience on developing realtime physics simulation or animation systems
• Scripting language experience (Lua, JavaScript or Python) is preferred.
• Keen sense of aesthetics, a clear understanding of light, color, and motion.
• Passionate about TikTok, augmented reality, as well as creating the most fun, original and creative ideas and experiences.

ByteDance 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 Bytedance, 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.

ByteDance Inc. 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 https://shorturl.at/cdpT2

Job Information:

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (hourly)

The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $45- $45. We cover 100% premium coverage for Full-Time intern medical insurance after 90 days from the date of hire. Medical coverage only, no dental or vision coverage.

Our time off and leave plans are: Paid holidays and paid sick leave. The sick leave entitlement is based on the time you join.

We also provide mental and emotional health benefits through our Employee Assistance Program and provide reimbursements for your mobile phone expense. 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:

• 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; and
• Exercising sound judgment.