Senior Software Engineer, Google XR, Gaming

Google; New York (NY); On-site; USD 174,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

Google XR is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design and evolve 3D interactions and the UI for Android XR, bridging Kotlin/Java with a high‑performance C++ engine. You will shape scalable systems for animations and audiovisual behaviors across the XR stack.

You will partner with UX designers, product managers, and other engineers to deliver a cohesive, performant mobile XR experience and help drive through iterative tools and best practices for faster development cycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages.
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience with 3D graphics, C++, game engines.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, develop, and polish the foundational 3D interactions and user interface components for Android XR, from initial concept to final, shippable product.
• Develop and implement scalable and stable systems to choreograph animations, motion, and audiovisual behaviors across the entire Android XR system, ensuring a cohesive and delightful user experience.
• Collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, and other engineering teams to define and refine the boundary between Android (Kotlin/Java) and our high-performance C++ graphics engine (Impress).
• Optimize complex rendering and interaction runtimes to deliver beautiful, snappy, and responsive UI on mobile XR hardware, maintaining a high bar for performance and quality.
• Advocateand build new tools, workflows, and best practices that accelerate the team's end-to-end iteration cycle, enabling rapid experimentation and a higher quality final product.

Skills

3D graphics

C++

Game engines

Software testing

Software architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Google XR, Gaming

Google San Francisco, CA, USA; New York, NY, USA

Mid

Experience driving progress, solving problems, and mentoring more junior team members; deeper expertise and applied knowledge within relevant area.

X Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San Francisco, CA, USA; New York, NY, USA.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
  
• 5 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages.
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience with 3D graphics, C++, game engines.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field.
  
• 5 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• Experience developing in augmented reality or immersive environments.
  
• A solid understanding of user-centered and interaction design principles and best practices.

About the job

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
Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Design, prototype, develop, and polish the foundational 3D interactions and user interface components for Android XR, from initial concept to final, shippable product.
• Develop and implement scalable and stable systems to choreograph animations, motion, and audiovisual behaviors across the entire Android XR system, ensuring a cohesive and delightful user experience.
• Collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, and other engineering teams to define and refine the boundary between Android (Kotlin/Java) and our high-performance C++ graphics engine (Impress).
• Optimize complex rendering and interaction runtimes to deliver beautiful, snappy, and responsive UI on mobile XR hardware, maintaining a high bar for performance and quality.
• Advocateand build new tools, workflows, and best practices that accelerate the team's end-to-end iteration cycle, enabling rapid experimentation and a higher quality final product.

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 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.