Software Engineer, PhD, Early Career, Networking, 2026 Start

Google; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Bengaluru is seeking a PhD Software Engineer to work on groundbreaking AI/ML and networking technologies. The ideal candidate will develop kernel drivers for Infrastructure Processing Units and ensure system reliability at scale within the Google Cloud ecosystem. You will be part of innovative projects that push the boundaries of technology, making your expertise invaluable in solving complex problems. A strong background in software development and distributed systems is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in a relevant technical field is necessary.
• Experience in distributed systems and networking is preferred.
• Ability to lead multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop kernel drivers for Infrastructure Processing Units and Network Interface Cards.
• Ensure systems meet desired performance and reliability in the Google Cloud ecosystem.

Skills

Coding in C, C++, Java or Golang

Experience in software development

Analytical skills for algorithms and system design

Experience with SmartNIC technologies

Ability to investigate and resolve technical issues

Education

PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Job description

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience coding in one of the following programming languages including but not limited to: C, C++, Java or Golang.
• Experience in software development, with a focus on areas such as large-scale distributed systems and networking.
• Experience in algorithms, complexity analysis, and system design.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with SmartNIC technologies.
• Ability to act as a generalist software engineer blending technical execution with program management and process optimization.
• Ability to lead multiple workstreams with attention to detail.
• Ability to write and review code, ensuring adherence to best practices in style, accuracy, testability, and efficiency.
• Ability to investigate, diagnose, and resolve technical issues by analyzing root causes and impact.

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.

We seek innovative engineers with various expertise, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking, data storage, security and AI/ML. Within Google Cloud, the AI and Infrastructure (AI2) organization is at the forefront of creating groundbreaking AI/ML capabilities. We are responsible for designing and managing the software, hardware, and Machine Learning (ML) systems infrastructure that power essential Google services such as search and YouTube, as well as Google Cloud products.

As a PhD Software Engineer within AI2, your specialized research expertise will be instrumental in solving complex, real world problems on an unprecedented scale. You will engage in innovative projects spanning areas like AI/ML, networking, data storage, security, and distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop kernel drivers for the various Infrastructure Processing Units (IPUs)/Network Interface Cards (NICs) in our portfolio, and ensuring that end-to-end systems built with these devices achieve the scale, reliability, performance expected of networking, and that such systems interact well within the Google Cloud ecosystem.

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.