ML Research Scientist, Audio Algorithms

Google; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus target (15%)

Benefits

Job summary

Google in Irvine, CA seeks a PhD-level researcher to lead ML-audio research initiatives, focusing on real-time signal processing for Open Ear intelligibility and next-gen speech enhancement.

You will join a high-velocity Applied Research team, bridging theory and prototypes, with a focus on massive user differentiation and impact-driven innovation. Equity and a 15% bonus target are offered alongside benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science or related field.
• 2 years of experience leading a research agenda.
• Experience developing and training machine learning algorithms specifically for audio applications (e.g., neural noise suppression, acoustic modeling, or speech enhancement).
• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as JAX or TensorFlow applied to signal processing tests.
• One or more scientific publication submission(s) for conferences, journals, or public repositories (such as CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Develop new and advanced algorithms for moonshot audio initiatives, focusing on real-time perception for humans and AI outside immediate product timelines.
• Architect first-principles algorithms bridging theory and validated prototypes, proving feasibility before scaling.
• Adopt an impact-first philosophy, prioritizing massive user differentiation and pivoting when needed.
• Foster a Shielded but Connected environment, protecting research velocity while guiding execution teams on future issues.
• Collaborate with researchers, including Principal-level leadership, to define foundational elements of next-generation audio.

Skills

Audio ML for audio

Open Ear

Deep learning frameworks

Publications

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Tools

C++

Python

Job description

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Mountain View, CA, USA; Irvine, CA, USA.

Minimum qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of experience leading a research agenda.
• Experience developing and training machine learning algorithms specifically for audio applications (e.g., neural noise suppression, acoustic modeling, or speech enhancement).
• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as JAX or TensorFlow applied to signal processing tests.
• One or more scientific publication submission(s) for conferences, journals, or public repositories (such as CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc.).

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in algorithm implementation and prototyping using C++ and Python.
• Experience taking theoretical ML-audio research ideas and implementing functional product proofs-of-concept.
• Experience navigating high-ambiguity research environments where the priority is delivering massive user differentiation over a specific method.
• Experience in developing foundational elements for ML based voice/audio algorithms.

About the job

Join a new, high-velocity "startup-style" Applied Research team within TechEng dedicated to transformational audio bets for the next decade of Pixel and Buds. You will lead exploratory, non-timeline-based research into Open Ear Inteligibility and Superhuman Hearing for humans and machines.

We operate under a "Shielded but Connected" model—protected from the gravitational pull of daily product cycles to focus on pure feasibility and first-principles innovation. In this role, you will adopt an impact-first philosophy, ruthlessly prioritizing massive user differentiation to prove the "impossible" and define the foundational elements of agentic audio experiences. If you are an audio architect who grows in lean environments and wants to build the future of sound, this is your team. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $174000 - $252000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

• Develop new and advanced algorithms for "moonshot" audio initiatives specifically real time perception for humans and AI operating outside the gravitational pull of immediate product timelines.
• Architect first-principles algorithms that bridge the gap between theoretical research and validated prototypes, proving feasibility before scaling.
• Adopt an impact-first philosophy, prioritizing massive user differentiation and maintaining the agility to pivot when technical paths do not yield high-order breakthroughs.
• Foster a "Shielded but Connected" environment, protecting the team's research velocity while providing technical guidance to core execution teams on future-decade issues.
• Collaborate alongside a small group of researchers (including Principal-level leadership) to define the foundational elements of next-generation agentic audio.

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 .