Software Engineer Project Intern (Security-Data) - 2026 Start (BS/MS)

Summary

ByteDance is a tech company focused on inspiring creativity and enriching life through innovative products. They are seeking a Software Engineer Project Intern to engage in impactful short-term projects within the security engineering team, where the intern will design and build security solutions while gaining practical skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Work with the team to design and build experimental prototypes and production-grade systems in areas like AI/agent safety, AI-powered threat detection, and advanced security analytics, turning cutting-edge ideas into working code
• Partner with mentors on rapid exploration sprints: frame hypotheses, design experiments, run evaluations, and iterate quickly from concept to proof-of-concept to early productization on frontier challenges
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product, platform, and research, to understand real-world requirements and translate them into practical, high-impact security solutions

Skills

• Undergraduate, or Postgraduate who is currently pursuing a degree/master in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Security, AI or other STEM disciplines
• Proven experience of grasp of computer science fundamentals (algorithms, data structures, operating systems, networking)
• Proficiency in one or more backend programming languages such as Python, Go, C++, Java or similar
• Proven experience writing comprehensive automated tests, performing effective code reviews, and debugging issues to ensure high standards of code quality and reliability
• Prior internship, work, or significant project experience in one or more of the following areas: AI/agent safety, model evaluation and red teaming, threat intelligence, security analytics, detection engineering, system hardening, or security automation
• A strong personal standard for building software quickly and well, including hands-on experience using AI to accelerate development — for example, using vibe coding to improve efficiency, quality, and speed at scale
• A proactive and self-driven mindset, with proven ability to think critically, break down complex or ambiguous problems, and formulate clear, practical solutions in a timely manner

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Undergraduate, or Postgraduate who is currently pursuing a degree/master in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Security, AI or other STEM disciplines
• Proven experience of grasp of computer science fundamentals (algorithms, data structures, operating systems, networking)
• Proficiency in one or more backend programming languages such as Python, Go, C++, Java or similar
• Proven experience writing comprehensive automated tests, performing effective code reviews, and debugging issues to ensure high standards of code quality and reliability

Nice to Haves

• Prior internship, work, or significant project experience in one or more of the following areas: AI/agent safety, model evaluation and red teaming, threat intelligence, security analytics, detection engineering, system hardening, or security automation
• A strong personal standard for building software quickly and well, including hands-on experience using AI to accelerate development — for example, using vibe coding to improve efficiency, quality, and speed at scale
• A proactive and self-driven mindset, with proven ability to think critically, break down complex or ambiguous problems, and formulate clear, practical solutions in a timely manner

Benefits

• Interns have day one access to health insurance
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing benefits and more
• Interns also receive 10 paid holidays per year
• 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.