Senior Optical Health Sensing Engineer, Pixel Hardware

Google Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Senior Optical Health Sensing Engineer for Pixel Hardware in Mountain View. You will own the design, characterization, and integration of PPG sensors into Google wearables, leading optical simulations, hardware integration, and mass-production readiness.

Collaborating across EE, PD/Mechanical, and Manufacturing, you will mitigate motion artifacts from concept through ramp, shaping the next generation of Pixel devices for a global audience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience working on optical sensor design.
• Experience in scripting and data analysis using Python or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Design, characterize, and integrate the Photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor into Google wearable products.
• Lead architecture, optical simulation, hardware integration, and mass-production productization of advanced bio-optical sensing systems.
• Collaborate with EE, PD/Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams to drive motion-artifact mitigation from concept to mass production.
• Define factory test requirements, optical calibration, and FATP station testing methodologies.
• Lead root-cause failure analysis during development and drive corrective actions for yield improvements.

Skills

Optical sensor design

Python scripting

MATLAB scripting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field

Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

LightTools

Zemax

TracePro

FRED

Job description

Senior Optical Health Sensing Engineer, Pixel Hardware

Share Senior Optical Health Sensing Engineer, Pixel Hardware

corporate_fare Google place Mountain View, CA, USA

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 4 years of experience working on optical sensor design.
• Experience in scripting and data analysis using Python or MATLAB.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with hardware bring-up, bench characterization, and oscilloscope/spectrometer lab equipment.
• Proficiency in optical modeling and simulation software (e.g., Zemax, LightTools, TracePro, or FRED).
• Strong understanding of photoplethysmography (PPG) fundamentals, tissue optics, and photodetector/LED physics.

About the job

Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration.

In this role, you will be directly in charge of the design, characterization, and integration of the Photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor into Google wearable products. You will lead the architecture, optical simulation, hardware integration, and mass-production productization of advanced bio‑optical sensing systems across consumer health devices (smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wearables).

You will work at the intersection of optical design, biomedical sensing physics, optoelectronics, and cross‑functional hardware development. Collaborating closely with Algorithm/DSP, Electrical Engineering (EE), Product Design (PD/Mechanical), and Manufacturing teams, you will drive motion‑artifact mitigation from initial concept through mass‑production ramp. The Google Pixel team focuses on designing and delivering the world's most helpful mobile experience. The team works on shaping the future of Pixel devices and services through some of the most advanced designs, techniques, products, and experiences in consumer electronics. This includes bringing together the best of Google’s artificial intelligence, software, and hardware to build global smartphones and create transformative experiences for users across the world. Individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $159000 - $230000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Model and simulate light‑tissue interactions (Monte Carlo simulations, ray‑tracing via LightTools/Zemax) to optimize LED‑to‑PD optical paths and engagementdepth. Optimize optical geometries, back‑cover curvature, light guides, optical crosstalk isolation, and lens stackups.
• Author Engineering Requirements Specifications (ERS) for PPG optical subsystems, defining SNR, Perfusion Index (PI), Signal‑to‑Motion Ratio (SMR), and power efficiency.
• Drive component selection and custom development for LEDs (wavelengths/binning), photodiode arrays, optical filters, and Analog Front‑End (AFE) silicon.
• Collaborate with EE and PD teams on schematic reviews, PCB/FPC routing, and mechanical packaging constraints. Lead benchtop bring‑up, optical characterization, Direct/Reflected Light Path (DLP/RLP) baseline analysis, and dynamic range extension validation.
• Define and implement factory test requirements, optical calibration, and FATP station testing methodologies. Lead root‑cause failure analysis (FA) during development builds and drive corrective actions for yield regressions.

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 discretionally 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.