Engineering Manager, ML Efficiency, AI Rapid Response Team

Google; United States; On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking an Engineering Manager for the ML Efficiency team in Mountain View, CA. You will lead a high‑performing team of AI/ML engineers and guide technical architecture across large-scale pipelines, ensuring delivery of TVPs and efficient workflows.

The role blends technical leadership with people management, overseeing multi-team projects and fiscal planning for a substantial product budget. English proficiency is required for all roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of software development experience.
• 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products, and 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• 5 years of experience with one or more of the following: Speech/audio, reinforcement learning, ML infrastructure, or specialization in another ML field.
• 5 years of experience with ML design and ML infrastructure (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, data processing, debugging, fine tuning).
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical pathfinding and system design for the ML Efficiency Hub, driving complex 1-6 month projects and 2-4 week Strike Sprints.
• Design, prototype, and write production C++ and Python code for model distillation, speculative decoding, dynamic batching, and distributed serving systems.
• De-risk ill-defined executive mandates and deliver TVPs within latency, FLOPs, and tokenomics thresholds.
• Evaluate architectural trade-offs and establish Graceful Exit Packages to enable partner teams to achieve autonomy.

Skills

Software development

Software testing

Software architecture

ML design

ML infrastructure

Generative AI integration

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

C++

Python

XManager

BrainServer

SavedModel

Pathways

Job description

Engineering Manager, ML Efficiency, AI Rapid Response Team

Location: Mountain View, CA, USA

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products, and 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• 5 years of experience with one or more of the following: Speech/audio (e.g., technology duplicating and responding to the human voice), reinforcement learning (e.g., sequential decision making), ML infrastructure, or specialization in another ML field.
• 5 years of experience with ML design and ML infrastructure (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, data processing, debugging, fine tuning).
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8 years of polyglot coding expertise in C++ and Python, and familiarity with Google’s core infrastructure (XManager, BrainServer, SavedModel, Pathways).
• 8 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• 3 years of experience working in a complex, matrixed organization involving cross-functional, or cross-business projects.
• Knowledge of bridging high-velocity prototyping (TVP) with permanent distributed enterprise scale (Franchises) via structured handoff packages (“graceful exits”).
• Track record leading SWAT, Pathfinding, or Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) teams in fast-paced startup or ambiguous enterprise environments.

About the job

Like Google’s own ambitions, the work of a Software Engineer goes beyond just Search. Software Engineering Managers have not only the technical expertise to take on and provide technical leadership to major projects, but also manage a team of Engineers. You not only optimize your own code but make sure Engineers are able to optimize theirs. As a Software Engineering Manager, you manage your project goals, contribute to product strategy, and help develop your team. Teams work all across the company, in areas such as information retrieval, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking, security, data compression, user interface design; the list goes on and is growing every day. Operating with scale and speed, our exceptional software engineers are just getting started — and as a manager, you guide the way.

With technical and leadership expertise, you manage engineers across multiple teams and locations, a large product budget, and oversee the deployment of large-scale projects across multiple sites internationally.

As an Engineering Manager on the ML Efficiency team, you will serve as a pivotal player-coach, driving both technical architecture and formal engineering management for a high-performing team of AI/ML systems engineers.

As an Engineering Manager, you will balance deep technical contributions with strategic pod leadership. You will lead Strike Sprints and embedded Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) teams partnering with leadership across Google. You will take vague, high-stakes VP-level efficiency mandates, perform deep architectural surgery on enterprise pipelines, architect robust Thinnest Viable Proofs (TVPs), and cultivate an exceptional, high-velocity engineering culture.

Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.

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

US Salary: $207,000 – $300,000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical pathfinding and system design for the ML Efficiency Hub, driving complex 1-6 month Engineers and 2-4 week Strike Sprints.
• Design, prototype, and write production C++ and Python code alongside your team for model distillation, speculative decoding, dynamic batching, and distributed serving systems.
• Take ill-defined executive mandates (“The Hot Plate”), quickly de-risk technical feasibility within strict latency, FLOPs, and tokenomics thresholds, and deliver highly persuasive TVPs.
• Perform deep compute surgery on legacy P0 pipelines, evaluate complex architectural trade-offs, and establish concrete “Graceful Exit Packages” that set partner catching teams up for permanent autonomy.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google’s Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

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.