TikTok is hiring: System Architect - Server Hardware in San Jose

Responsibilities

Server platform team is responsible for architecting, designing and building the best server and storage systems to meet the requirements of high‑performance, low cost, and easy to operate. By joining this team, you will work with the best engineers and talents in the industry and have a broad opportunity to engage with the latest AI application systems and newly emerged technologies in computing, storage, and silicon validation. You will gain remarkable hardware architecture, development, and validation experience in the most advanced hardware infrastructure at massive scale.

We are looking for a self‑motivated server and storage hardware architect and technology planning expert. As a system architect and technology planning expert, your responsibilities will include:

• Evaluate the newly emerged technology in the industry, set up and test with a POC system, and integrate the technology into our infrastructure.
• Work with EE/ME/Thermal teams on high‑level design of the server system.
• Collaborate with application teams to analyze the workload characteristics of applications and help them innovate, improve performance, and lower infrastructure costs.
• Collaborate with hardware, network, and IDC teams to develop the new high‑level design of the hardware system, ensuring it is competitive in cost, performance, and ease of operation.
• Work with industry consortiums and open‑standard committees to investigate new standards or technologies, and contribute research results and viewpoints to the industry.
• Work with technology partners and suppliers to set up POCs or prototypes to evaluate and test new technologies or architectural designs.
• International travel requirement: up to four times per year, including but not limited to China, Europe, and South Asia. Candidates must have a valid passport and be able to obtain the necessary visas.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related majors.
• Experience in hardware/software performance and power optimization is preferred.
• Deep understanding of computer system architecture.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the design principles and applications of CPU, memory, SSD, and network components.
• Understanding of virtualization technology, database, distributed storage systems, and deep‑learning architecture.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of experience in circuit board design, system debugging, power/signal integrity, and thermal solutions.
• Three years of experience in server or storage system architecture design or software‑hardware co‑design.

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 toward 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, constantly iterating and fostering an “Always Day 1” mindset to 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. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach.

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 https://tinyurl.com/RA-request.

Job Information

Compensation Description (Annually):
The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $187,040 – $438,000 annually.
Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day‑one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage, life insurance, wellness benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
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 with 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;
- Exercising sound judgment.

Seniority Level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

• Full‑time

Job Function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Software Development, Computer Hardware Manufacturing, and Technology, Information and Internet