Senior Software Engineer, Thermal Management, Pixel

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

Job summary

Google is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for Thermal Management on the Pixel team to design and optimize low-level software across the thermal stack. You will influence silicon-to-software cooling policies and keep devices within safe thermal envelopes while maximizing sustained performance.

The role requires strong C/C++, embedded OS experience, and collaboration with cross-functional teams across engineering disciplines in Mountain View. Competitive compensation and benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant technical field.
• Experience across software development, testing, and architecture.
• Hands-on embedded OS experience (Linux kernel/RTOS).
• Proficient in Python or Shell scripting for test automation.

Responsibilities

• Write, optimize, and test code across embedded firmware, Linux kernel thermal frameworks, and Android HAL.
• Lead design reviews with hardware, silicon, and QA teams on thermal mitigation strategies.
• Review code for best practices, testability, and low-latency performance.
• Contribute to docs, bring-up guides, and educational content for product updates.
• Triage issues and debug/trace to ensure thermal, performance, and reliability targets.

Skills

Software development experience

C/C++

Test & architecture

Embedded OS

Scripting for testing

Data structures & algorithms

Technical leadership

Linux kernel / Android HAL

Profiling tools (ftrace/perf)

Accessible tech / hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE or equivalent

Master's degree or PhD in related field

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Thermal Management, Pixel

Location: Mountain View, CA, USA

Experience Level: Mid

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages, including 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 (e.g., Linux kernel, RTOS).
• 2 years of experience using scripting languages (e.g., Python, Shell) for test automation, telemetry parsing, or test harness development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5 years of experience with data structures, algorithms, and system-level performance or power optimization.
• 1 year of experience in a technical leadership role leading engineering workstreams or driving cross-functional technical initiatives.
• Experience with Linux kernel thermal frameworks (e.g., thermal zones, cooling devices, governors), Android HAL (AIDL/HIDL), or low-level profiling tools (e.g., ftrace, perf).
• Experience developing accessible technologies or building consumer hardware devices designed for user needs.

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.

The Pixel Device Thermal Software Team is responsible for designing, building, and optimizing the low-level thermal software architecture and runtime policies across the Pixel product family. Our team operates at the critical intersection of silicon capability, hardware engineering, and everyday user experience. From sustained high-resolution video capture to compute-heavy mobile gaming. In this role, you will create intelligent software solutions that keep device surfaces comfortable to hold and internal silicon safely within operating limits-all while maximizing sustained performance and battery efficiency.

Android is Google's mobile operating system powering more than 3 billion devices worldwide. Android is about bringing computing to everyone in the world. We believe computing is a super power for good, enabling access to information, economic opportunity, productivity, connectivity between friends and family and more. We think everyone in the world should have access to the best computing has to offer. We provide the platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers to build compelling computing devices (smartphones, tablets, TVs, wearables, etc) that run the best apps/services for everyone in 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

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Write, optimize, and test product or system development code across embedded firmware, Linux kernel thermal frameworks, and the Android HAL.
• Participate in, or lead design reviews with peers and cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., hardware thermal, silicon architecture, system QA) to decide amongst available technologies and thermal mitigation strategies.
• Review code developed by other developers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, low-latency performance, and efficiency).
• Contribute to existing technical documentation, bring-up guides, or educational content and adapt content based on product/program updates, new silicon platforms, and validation feedback.
• Triage product or system issues and debug/track/resolve by analyzing the sources of issues and the impact on hardware, thermal behavior, system performance, and overall product quality.

Additional Information

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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.

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