Senior Software Engineer, Rapid Prototyping Pixel Products

Google Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is hiring a Senior Software Engineer for the Pixel Rapid Prototyping team. You will craft high-fidelity prototypes and push the limits of both hardware and software to explore new user experiences on Pixel devices.

Collaborating with UX, Product, and Hardware, you’ll translate ambitious concepts into tangible software while embracing rapid iteration and creative problem solving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience with software development in the Java or Kotlin programming languages.
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with large-scale application design and architecture.
• 3 years of experience with android application development.
• 3 years industry or academic experience with rapid prototyping techniques for new products.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and iterate on high-fidelity proof-of-concept android applications and system-level modifications to bring novel user experiences to life.
• Partner with Staff Engineering and cross-functional teams to translate abstract concepts into tangible, working software.
• Experiment with bleeding-edge technologies to push the boundaries of what is technically possible on Pixel devices.
• Identify and bypass technical roadblocks within the Android stack, prioritizing rapid iteration and discovery over long-term maintainability.
• Adapt quickly to changing requirements and pivot technical approaches based on daily learnings and UX feedback.

Skills

Java/Kotlin experience

Software testing/launch

Large-scale architecture

Android development

Rapid prototyping

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience

Master’s degree or PhD (preferred)

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Rapid Prototyping Pixel Products

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• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience with software development in the Java or Kotlin programming languages.
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with large-scale application design and architecture.
• 3 years of experience with android application development.
• 3 years industry or academic experience with rapid prototyping techniques for new products.

Mid

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

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 with prototyping proof-of-concept ideas to completion.

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 Software Engineer on the Pixel Rapid Prototyping team, you will be a core builder driving the creation of next-generation user experiences for Pixel products. Operating in a changing creative environment, you build high-fidelity prototypes that push the boundaries of what is technically possible, proving out new hardware and software experiences.

Working closely with technical leadership and cross-functional partners in UX, Product, and Hardware, you will translate ambitious, abstract concepts into tangible, working software. You will grow on unconstrained technical exploration—creatively hacking across the Android framework, applications, and emerging technologies to demonstrate the "art of the possible," prioritizing rapid iteration, speed, and discovery over immediate commercial viability or productionization requirements.

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.

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 Software Engineer on the Pixel Rapid Prototyping team, you will be a core builder driving the creation of next-generation user experiences for Pixel products. Operating in a changing creative environment, you build high-fidelity prototypes that push the boundaries of what is technically possible, proving out new hardware and software experiences.

Working closely with technical leadership and cross-functional partners in UX, Product, and Hardware, you will translate ambitious, abstract concepts into tangible, working software. You will grow on unconstrained technical exploration—creatively hacking across the Android framework, applications, and emerging technologies to demonstrate the "art of the possible," prioritizing rapid iteration, speed, and discovery over immediate commercial viability or productionization requirements.

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: $174000 - $252000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

• Design, build, and iterate on high-fidelity proof-of-concept android applications and system-level modifications to bring novel user experiences to life.
• Partner closely with Staff Engineering and cross-functional teams (e.g., UX, Product, Hardware) to translate abstract concepts, rough sketches, and technical strategies into tangible, working software.
• Experiment with bleeding-edge technologies—such as new on-device ML models, experimental sensor APIs, and unreleased hardware features—to push the boundaries of what is technically possible on Pixel devices.
• Identify and creatively bypass technical roadblocks within the Android stack. Optimize for speed, ingenuity, and "art of the possible" demonstrations rather than long-term maintainability or production-grade architecture.
• Adapt quickly to changing requirements and pivot technical approaches based on daily learnings, UX research feedback, and continuous discovery.

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.