Job Description
Responsibilities
Team/Direction Introduction
We are the core team responsible for the performance and experience of TikTok LIVE, dedicated to delivering and continuously improving the end-to-end experience for billions of users worldwide—from discovering live streams to creators going live.
In the context of globalization, with diverse network environments, device ecosystems, and user behaviours, we proactively identify performance bottlenecks and experience gaps by building a systematic end-to-end metrics framework and diagnostic mechanisms. We make data-driven decisions and, through deep cross-functional collaboration, bring together R&D, product, operations, and infrastructure to address a range of complex challenges—from distribution quality and room entry conversion to live streaming power consumption and go-live stability.
Here, you will have the opportunity to:
- Own end-to-end performance experience: Your work will directly shape the full user journey—from content distribution to consumption, and from LIVE creators to viewers.
- Drive complex, high-impact projects: You will lead cross-domain technical initiatives, tackle challenging problems, and deliver measurable business impact.
- Develop a global architecture perspective: Build your technical influence and architectural thinking within a team that supports one of the world's largest LIVE platforms.
We are looking for someone who thinks like an architect, excels at systematic problem-solving, and can drive meaningful change. If you are motivated to take on world-class performance challenges at scale and take pride in solving them, we would love to have you on the team.
Core Responsibilities
As the core architect for end-to-end performance optimization of LIVE, you will be responsible for systematically ensuring and enhancing the overall user experience. You will drive key performance initiatives and provide strong technical support for business growth.
1. Systematic Optimization and Proactive Problem Discovery
Own the end-to-end performance optimization of live streaming and proactively identify issues. You will design and implement solutions across one or more of the following areas:
- Distribution quality and room entry conversion: Optimize live streaming content distribution efficiency in the feed, and improve both the success rate and speed of entering live rooms.
- LIVE viewing experience: Enhance user experience within the feed, optimize client-side performance (including power consumption, thermal performance, smoothness, and stability), and improve user retention and engagement.
- Go-Live flow and stability: Improve the conversion and success rate of going live, streamline the go-live process, and build a stable and reliable system for high-traffic scenarios (such as large-scale events and competitions).
2. Build Analytical Frameworks and a Closed-Loop Governance System
Establish and continuously improve an end-to-end performance metrics framework and diagnostic system. Transform complex analysis processes into reusable methodologies, and create a closed-loop governance model covering measurement, analysis, optimization, and validation.
3. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Project Delivery
Act as a key technical leader, working closely with teams across Client, Server, Algorithms, Audio/Video, CDN, and Data. Align resources, define clear technical roadmaps, drive complex projects to key milestones, and quantify their business impact.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
We place great emphasis on your capability model, way of thinking, and track record of impact. We hope you:
1. Bring deep technical expertise and an architectural perspective
Have hands-on experience in at least one technical domain (e.g., client, backend, networking, audio/video, etc.), with a proven ability to tackle complex technical challenges and strong architectural design thinking.
2. Demonstrate strong data analysis and structured thinking
Excel at identifying issues and uncovering root causes from large-scale data, and can translate insights into clear, actionable decisions and plans. You also have strong written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex ideas.
3. Excel at systematic problem-solving and cross-functional execution
Approach complex problems with structured thinking and effective decomposition. You are goal-oriented, with strong ownership, execution, and resource coordination skills, ensuring complex solutions are successfully delivered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Audio and video technologies: Experience with capture, encoding/decoding, processing, and rendering.
- Networking and transport protocols: Familiarity with protocols such as QUIC, WebRTC, and HTTP/3.
- CDN architecture and intelligent scheduling strategies
- Client performance optimization: Experience improving power consumption, memory usage, smoothness, and overall stability
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.
