Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Systems, XR Audio Platform

Google; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 174,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

Google's XR Audio Platform team seeks a Senior Software Engineer to advance embedded systems for next‑gen audio devices. You will design, implement, and test software that runs close to the hardware, ensuring real‑time performance across sensors and DSP pipelines.

This mid‑level role emphasizes hands‑on coding in C/C++ and RTOS development, code reviews, and architecture collaboration to deliver high‑quality audio experiences on consumer electronics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience in low level systems programming languages (e.g., C++ or 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 designing and developing software for real-time operating systems.

Responsibilities

• Write and test product or system development code.
• Review code developed by other engineers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, and efficiency).
• Contribute to existing documentation or educational content and adapt content based on product/program updates and user feedback.
• Triage product or system issues and debug/track/resolve by analyzing the sources of issues and the impact on hardware, network, or service operations and quality.
• Participate in, or lead design reviews with peers and stakeholders to decide amongst available technologies.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS development

Embedded systems

Software testing & architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Systems, XR Audio Platform

Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Experience Level: Mid

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience in low level systems programming languages (e.g., C++ or 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 designing and developing software for real-time operating systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 5 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• 1 year of experience in a technical leadership role.
• Experience in developing software for audio systems on consumer electronics.
• 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.

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 are building a future where lightweight XR devices pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.

The Platforms and Devices team encompasses Google's various computing software platforms across environments (desktop, mobile, applications), as well as our first party devices and services that combine the best of Google AI, software, and hardware. Teams across this area research, design, and develop new technologies to make our user's interaction with computing faster and more seamless, building innovative experiences for our users around the world.

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

US Salary Range

$174,000 - $252,000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

• Write and test product or system development code.
• Review code developed by other engineers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, and efficiency).
• Contribute to existing documentation or educational content and adapt content based on product/program updates and user feedback.
• Triage product or system issues and debug/track/resolve by analyzing the sources of issues and the impact on hardware, network, or service operations and quality.
• Participate in, or lead design reviews with peers and stakeholders to decide amongst available technologies.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy.

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.

If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

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.