Principal Hardware Robotics Engineer, Data Centers

Google Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 275,000 - 382,000; Full time

Job summary

Google Sunnyvale, CA, USA is seeking a Principal Hardware Robotics Engineer for Data Centers to define strategic and technical direction for PIE Robotics roadmap. You will lead the strategy and development of Data Center robotics systems, collaborating with executive leadership to deploy robotics automation solutions for scale up/down hardware, repairs, and decommissioning.

The role requires leading internal and external teams, ensuring integration of latest Robotics and AI technologies, and

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Robotics or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 years of experience in robotics systems engineering or architecture, and experience with technical innovation.
• Experience in the robotics industry, leading robotics applications development and turning R&D into deployed, real world systems.
• Experience in robotic control, planning, kinematics, and mechatronic systems.
• Experience with embedded systems (e.g., RTOS, microcontrollers, FPGA), sensor fusion, and actuator control.
• Experience implementing foundational vision-language-action (VLA) models, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning (RL) pipelines to teach robots dynamic object manipulation.
• Experience executing low-latency teleoperation infrastructure, haptic feedback integration, and human-in-the-loop systems for complex, remote hardware interventions and data collection.
• Familiarity with motion control systems and robotics programming languages (e.g. Robot Operating System) or similar frameworks.
• Practical understanding of recent advancements in the robotics field, specifically the application of general-purpose bipedal/wheeled humanoid platforms for flexible, human-centric data center tasks.

Responsibilities

• Scope and develop advanced robotics automation technical solutions for data center hardware required for AI2 business transformation.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, internal and external, regarding AI2's data Center Robotics strategy and ecosystem development.
• Source and ensure AI2 captures the latest Robotics and AI technologies and solutions from the ecosystem, and rapidly deploy within AI2, to meet the business needs.
• Lead engineering execution and provide technical leadership for product features and delivery. Oversee the end-to-end deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and multi-axis robotic arms for handling delicate data center hardware.

Education

PhD in Robotics or related field

Tools

Embedded systems (RTOS, microcontrollers, FPGA)

Sensor fusion

Actuator control

Robot Operating System (ROS)

VLA models, imitation learning, RL pipelines

Teleoperation infrastructure, haptic feedback, human-in-the-loop

Job description

Principal Hardware Robotics Engineer, Data Centers

Principal Hardware Robotics Engineer, Data Centers

Google Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Director+

• PhD degree in Robotics or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 years of experience in robotics systems engineering or architecture, and experience with technical innovation.
• Experience in the robotics industry, leading robotics applications development and turning Research and Development (R&D) into deployed, real world systems.
• Experience in robotic control, planning, kinematics, and mechatronic systems.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with embedded systems (e.g., RTOS, microcontrollers, FPGA), sensor fusion, and actuator control.
• Experience implementing foundational vision-language-action (VLA) models, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning (RL) pipelines to teach robots dynamic object manipulation.
• Experience executing low-latency teleoperation infrastructure, haptic feedback integration, and human-in-the-loop systems for complex, remote hardware interventions and data collection.
• Familiarity with motion control systems and robotics programming languages (e.g. Robot Operating System) or similar frameworks.
• Practical understanding of recent advancements in the robotics field, specifically the application of general-purpose bipedal/wheeled humanoid platforms for flexible, human-centric data center tasks.

About the job

The AI and Infrastructure (AI2) team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide. As Principal Engineer, you will define the strategic and technical direction for PIE Robotics roadmap.

In this role, you will lead the strategy and technical development of Data Center hardware robotics systems. You will lead internally and externally, to deliver the robotics automation solutions to enable our scale up and out hardware deployment, repair operations, and final decommission.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

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

US: $275000 - $382000 (USD) + 30% bonus target + equity + benefits

• Scope and develop advanced robotics automation technical solutions for data center hardware required for AI2 business transformation.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, internal and external, regarding AI2's data Center Robotics strategy and ecosystem development.
• Source and ensure AI2 captures the latest Robotics and AI technologies and solutions from the ecosystem, and rapidly deploy within AI2, to meet the business needs.
• Lead engineering execution and provide technical leadership for product features and delivery. Oversee the end-to-end deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and multi-axis robotic arms for handling delicate data center hardware.

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.