Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Systems, Firmware, Android XR

Socket.dev; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

Google's Glasses Framework team is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead the design and evolution of core platform software for next‑gen smart glasses. You will tackle low‑power, latency‑critical problems across a split‑compute architecture, connecting glasses runtimes with host devices and Android OS frameworks.

You will mentor engineers, define component directions such as microXR split compute, and collaborate with BSP, Silicon, Product, and OEM teams to push technology forward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience with software development in C++.
• 3 years testing, maintaining, or launching software products; 1 year in design/architecture.
• 3 years experience with embedded operating systems.
• Experience with consumer product development and Android Platform/OS/Internals.

Responsibilities

• Architect and vet XR framework designs and implement code.
• Write robust, efficient software for environments from bare‑metal to cloud.
• Communicate decisions via architecture and design documents.
• Mentor engineers on architecture and best practices and debugging complex system interactions.
• Review code and contribute to team efficiency and workflow improvements.

Skills

C++ development

Software testing

Embedded systems

Consumer product development

Android OS/Internals

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Master's degree or PhD in CS or related field

Job description

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
  
• 5 years of experience with software development in C++.
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with software design and architecture.
  
• 3 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.
  
• Experience with consumer product development and Android Platform/OS/Internals.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field.
  
• 5 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• 1 year of experience in a technical leadership role.
  
• Experience developing accessible technologies.
  

About the job:

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Glasses Framework team, you will direct the technical design, implementation, and evolution of core platform software layers powering next-generation smart glasses. You will solve complex, low-power, and latency-critical engineering problems across a split-compute architecture—connecting lightweight glasses runtimes with host companion devices and Android OS frameworks.

You will operate with technical initiative, setting the direction for critical framework components (such as microXR split compute, input routing and dispatch, immersive audio pipelines, uXR rendering, or LED), while mentoring early-career engineers and partnering closely with cross-functional BSP, Silicon, Product, and OEM engineering teams.

For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by
breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR
team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and
XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we
interact with the world around us. We're building a future where
lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI
to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and
contextually aware experiences.

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:

• Architect, guide, and vet XR framework designs within the scope of the broader area, and write product or framework development code to solve ambiguous problems.
• Write robust, reliable, efficient, and testable software designed to run in environments that span bare-metal to cloud.
• Communicate, design, and implement decisions effectively through architecture/design documents and code.
• Mentor and train other team members on architecture and design techniques, coding standards, debugging complex system interactions, and engineering best practices and processes.
• Review code developed by other developers and provide feedback to ensure best practices. Contribute to the overall efficiency and productivity of the engineering team through code, process enhancements, and software development workflow improvements.