Principal Scientist, Cloud AI Research

Google LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 307,000 - 427,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits (401(k) with match

Paid time off: 20 days/year

Sick time: 40 hours/year (Seattle 69)

Maternity leave: 28–30 weeks

Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks

13 paid holidays

Job summary

Google LLC is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead our agentic AI research program within Cloud AI. You will steer the current and future roadmap for agentic platforms, prioritizing research that blends product innovation with fundamental inquiry and scalable infrastructure, while managing a senior research team.

You will bridge advanced research and product development, helping drive high-impact vertical and horizontal agents, and collaborate with Google Cloud and DeepMind to accelerate

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science or related field.
• 15 years of research experience across multiple teams or projects.
• Experience in agentic AI systems and platforms.
• Authored and co-authored publications in systems research venues.

Responsibilities

• Follow research trends to determine the group’s strategy.
• Drive research to address challenges like context-rot and token costs.
• Collaborate with Infrastructure, Research/GDM teams, and customers (Google Cloud).
• Lead development of high-impact vertical and horizontal agents for product and research velocity.
• Mentor and guide a senior research team and attract top talent to Google.

Skills

Leadership

Research strategy

Publication track record

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Job description

Share Principal Scientist, Cloud AI Research

info_outline X In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees. Benefits for this role include:

• Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
• Sick Time: 40 hours/year (increased to 69 hours/year for Seattle) including 5 discretionary sick days per instance
• Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability + Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
• Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
• Holidays: 13 paid days per year

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

• PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 years of experience with research agendas across multiple teams or projects.
• Experience in agentic AI systems and platforms.
• Authored and co-authored multiple publications in systems research venues.

Preferred qualifications:

• 20 years of research and engineering experience, with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Multidisciplinary experience leading both product and engineering or research/applied science
• Ability to quickly ramp up in new subject areas with short notice to guide mission-critical research into the largest potential risks related to Google infrastructure usage.
• Credibility within the AI research community, with the ability to influence external thought leaders and help advocate for Google.
• Communication and leadership skills needed to influence technical leaders across the company.

About the job

As Principal Scientist, you will serve as the recognized technical leader within our strategic research areas. You will be responsible for driving our current and future research roadmap with regard to agentic AI platforms and design. You will have the autonomy to decide how to prioritize research into agentic platforms, maintaining a portfolio of research projects that are driven by product innovation, fundamental research, and infrastructure goals.

In this role, you will lead large-scale efforts by identifying future work, questioning traditional lines of thought, and synthesizing assets from various research areas to drive Google in new product or technology directions. By bridging the gap between advanced research and product development, you will help unlock high-impact vertical agents—such as AI planners, forecasters, and engineers—and horizontal agents that scale enterprise efficiency.

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.

About the job

As Principal Scientist, you will serve as the recognized technical leader within our strategic research areas. You will be responsible for driving our current and future research roadmap with regard to agentic AI platforms and design. You will have the autonomy to decide how to prioritize research into agentic platforms, maintaining a portfolio of research projects that are driven by product innovation, fundamental research, and infrastructure goals.

In this role, you will lead large-scale efforts by identifying future work, questioning traditional lines of thought, and synthesizing assets from various research areas to drive Google in new product or technology directions. By bridging the gap between advanced research and product development, you will help unlock high-impact vertical agents—such as AI planners, forecasters, and engineers—and horizontal agents that scale enterprise efficiency.

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: $307000 - $427000 (USD) + 30% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Follow research trends in agentic AI to determine the group’s research and innovation strategy.
• Drive research to overcome challenges like context-rot and massive token costs in complex, multi-day agent tasks.
• Work closely with all Infrastructure teams, Research/GDM teams, and customers to improve adoption. You will partner most closely with Google Deepmind and Vertex AI, our customer-facing agent platform for Google Cloud.
• Lead the development of high-impact vertical agents (e.g., forecasting, planning, and design agents) and horizontal agents designed to accelerate both research and product development velocity.
• Help lead a small, senior research team by providing technical direction, management, and mentorship. Draw other top research talent to Google and Google Cloud.

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.

To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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.