Senior Optical Systems Architect – Equity & Bonus Eligible

Google LLC; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 236,000 - 329,000; Full time

Job summary

Google LLC in Mountain View, CA is seeking a Senior Staff Optical Engineer for Geo Hardware. The role focuses on mastering optical disciplines to deliver high‑quality imagery for mapping and partner products, and leading cross‑functional teams from design through manufacturing.

Strong leadership, deep optics knowledge, and excellent collaboration with vendors and stakeholders are essential to drive projects from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field.
• 8 years of experience working in an optical engineering technical environment.
• 5 years of experience in technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as process lead for optical and optical systems engineering in Geo Hardware, managing optical engineers across manufacturing and unit camera systems.
• Drive early opto-mechanical alignment with mechanical and manufacturing teams, guiding optical designs from planning through lens manufacturing and sensor-lens integration.
• Optimize equipment and metrology resources to sustain active projects, define upcoming requirements, de-risk new concepts through experimentation, and share GeoHW’s capabilities across Google.
• Own state-of-the-art optical system designs, balancing real-world limitations with Geo’s needs and external partner capabilities during joint development.
• Balance product delivery and research agendas, executing end-to-end delivery for nebulous system goals while exploring new materials, tools, and techniques for TAG’s roadmap.

Skills

Optical engineering

Technical leadership

Communication

Education

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

Job description

Google LLC in Mountain View, CA is seeking a Senior Staff Optical Engineer for Geo Hardware. The role focuses on mastering optical disciplines to deliver high‑quality imagery for mapping and partner products, and leading cross‑functional teams from design through manufacturing.

Strong leadership, deep optics knowledge, and excellent collaboration with vendors and stakeholders are essential to drive projects from concept to production.