Research Scientist, AI

Google; München; Hybrid; EUR 106,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Research Scientist to lead developments in spatial perception and visual tracking for Android XR devices. The role involves prototyping, deploying advanced algorithms, and shaping on-device AI capabilities within strict power and latency constraints.

You will work with a global research team, publish findings, and contribute to long-term spatial AI strategies across current and next-generation XR wearables.

Qualifications

• PhD in computer science or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with Python or C++ for rapid prototyping and production-grade development.
• Experience in software engineering.

Responsibilities

• Prototype, develop, and deploy spatial perception and visual tracking algorithms for XR devices.
• Design low-latency capabilities for real-time interaction between AI models and physical objects.
• Optimize on-device ML algorithms under power, thermal, and compute constraints.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research into intuitive visual interactions.
• Contribute to Google’s long-term spatial AI roadmap across XR wearable platforms.

Skills

Python

C++

Software engineering

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Job description

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Munich, Germany; Zürich, Switzerland.

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in Python or C++ for rapid prototyping and production-grade development.
• Experience in software engienering.

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience developing and optimizing on-device machine learning models for constrained hardware platforms.
• Domain expertise in 3D computer vision, spatial perception, or real-time spatial tracking.

About The Job

As an organization, Google maintains a portfolio of research projects driven by fundamental research, new product innovation, product contribution and infrastructure goals, while providing individuals and teams the freedom to emphasize specific types of work. As a Research Scientist, you'll setup large-scale tests and deploy promising ideas quickly and broadly, managing deadlines and deliverables while applying the latest theories to develop new and improved products, processes, or technologies. From creating experiments and prototyping implementations to designing new architectures, our research scientists work on real-world problems that span the breadth of computer science, such as machine (and deep) learning, data mining, natural language processing, hardware and software performance analysis, improving compilers for mobile platforms, as well as core search and much more.

As a Research Scientist, you'll also actively contribute to the wider research community by sharing and publishing your findings, with ideas inspired by internal projects as well as from collaborations with research programs at partner universities and technical institutes all over the world.

For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Germany: €106000 - €108000 (EUR) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

• Prototype, develop, and deploy advanced spatial perception and visual tracking algorithms for Android XR devices.
• Design low-latency capabilities that enable AI models to accurately interact with physical objects in real time.
• Optimize on-device machine learning algorithms to achieve high precision within strict power, thermal, and compute constraints.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate foundational computer vision research into intuitive visual interactions.
• Advance the long-term technical roadmap for spatial AI across current and next-generation XR wearable platforms.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .