Senior Software Engineer, Search Quality

Google; Zürich; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Google LLC is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for Search Quality to advance ML-driven ranking and evaluation across massive-scale systems. You will influence billions of users by building scalable ML-powered components and collaborating with cross-functional teams to push technology forward.

The role emphasizes end-to-end ML work—from data processing and model deployment to monitoring and optimization—while aligning with product goals and engineering best practices.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience with software development in C++ or Python.
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with software design and architecture.
• 3 years of experience specializing in a machine learning field (e.g., foundational models, ML infrastructure, reinforcement learning, or similar areas).
• 3 years of experience with end-to-end machine learning (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, optimization, data processing, debugging).

Responsibilities

• Own projects end-to-end from initial idea to design, analysis, and implementation.
• Collect, analyze and visualize data from various sources to formulate and test hypotheses.
• Design and implement ML systems from training data composition to hyperparameter tuning to post-deployment monitoring and optimizations.
• Understand and build upon latest technologies such as Gemini foundational models using distillation and fine-tuning.

Skills

C++

Python

Testing

Software maintenance

Software design & architecture

Kotlin

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Search Quality

Share Senior Software Engineer, Search Quality

In most instances, this position requires in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.

5 years of experience with software development in C++ or Python.

• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with software design and architecture.
• 3 years of experience specializing in a machine learning field (e.g., foundational models, ML infrastructure, reinforcement learning, or similar areas).
• 3 years of experience with end-to-end machine learning (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, optimization, data processing, debugging).

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD (or industry research experience) in ML, AI or related technical fields.
• Experience in full-cycle development and productionization of machine learning systems.
• Experience in distilling and deploying production-grade LLMs.

Experience programming in Kotlin.

About the job

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

The Web Health team's mission is to build user trust by ensuring Google shows a helpful mix of websites across all Search traffic. We achieve this by owning the full ML lifecycle, from developing state-of-the-art models to deploying them directly across Web Ranking and GenAI surfaces.

We are looking for an ML engineer with a deep care for and understanding of the intricate interplay between data, algorithms, objectives and business impact.

In Google Search, we're reimagining what it means to search for information – any way and anywhere. To do that, we need to solve complex engineering challenges and expand our infrastructure, while maintaining a universally accessible and useful experience that people around the world rely on. In joining the Search team, you'll have an opportunity to make an impact on billions of people globally.

Responsibilities

• Own projects end-to-end from initial idea to design, analysis, and implementation.
• Collect, analyze and visualize data from various sources to formulate and test hypotheses.
• Design and implement ML systems from training data composition to hyperparameter tuning to post-deployment monitoring and optimizations.
• Understand and build upon latest technologies such as Gemini foundational models using distillation and fine-tuning.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.