Senior Staff Optical Engineer, Geo

Google; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 236,000 - 329,000; Full time

Job summary

Google LLC in Mountain View, CA is seeking a Senior Staff Optical Engineer for Geo Hardware. The role focuses on mastering optical disciplines to deliver high‑quality imagery for mapping and partner products, and leading cross‑functional teams from design through manufacturing.

Strong leadership, deep optics knowledge, and excellent collaboration with vendors and stakeholders are essential to drive projects from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field.
• 8 years of experience working in an optical engineering technical environment.
• 5 years of experience in technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as process lead for optical and optical systems engineering in Geo Hardware, managing optical engineers across manufacturing and unit camera systems.
• Drive early opto-mechanical alignment with mechanical and manufacturing teams, guiding optical designs from planning through lens manufacturing and sensor-lens integration.
• Optimize equipment and metrology resources to sustain active projects, define upcoming requirements, de-risk new concepts through experimentation, and share GeoHW’s capabilities across Google.
• Own state-of-the-art optical system designs, balancing real-world limitations with Geo’s needs and external partner capabilities during joint development.
• Balance product delivery and research agendas, executing end-to-end delivery for nebulous system goals while exploring new materials, tools, and techniques for TAG’s roadmap.

Skills

Optical engineering

Technical leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, CS, Physics or related field

Job description

Share Senior Staff Optical Engineer, Geo

corporate_fare Google place Mountain View, CA, USA

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience working in an optical engineering technical environment.
• 5 years of experience in technical leadership.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g. Optics), or equivalent practical experience.
• Consummate knowledge of lens and optical systems across physics, materials, and techniques.
• Understanding of the industry, technologies, and technical partners capable of executing across design and manufacturing stages.
• Ability to transform theoretical advances into real-world opportunities aligned with Geo's specific strategic goals.
• Solid communication and troubleshooting skills across teammates, vendors, and stakeholders to iteratively improve systems, processes, and relationships.
• Organizational capacity to maintain a portfolio of metrology and design capabilities for ongoing product experimentation and engagement.

About the job

Geo Hardware creates the devices that provide the most detailed imagery of our planet to drive a variety of direct and intermediate value to mapping and other partner and consumer value. A massive focus of this effort is our imagery, and the most consequential part of that imagery (apart from ensuring that we properly record where it is taken) is the quality of the pixels. The optical path is crucial for this effort, and our requirements are unique. This makes mastery of several optical disciplines (theoretical and physical foundations, optical materials and coatings, design and simulations, opto-mechanics and packaging, sources detectors and opto-electronics, fabrication/manufacturing, and metrology/characterization) important for this role.

As a Senior Staff Optical Engineer, you will require strong communication in order to effectively function in this role, in addition to strong technical execution and leadership. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $236000 - $329000 (USD) + 25% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Serve as process lead for optical and optical systems engineering in Geo Hardware, managing optical engineers across manufacturing and unit camera systems.
• Drive early opto-mechanical alignment with mechanical and manufacturing teams, guiding optical designs seamlessly from initial planning through lens manufacturing and sensor-lens integration.
• Optimize equipment and metrology resources to sustain active projects, define upcoming requirements, de-risk new concepts through experimentation, and share GeoHW’s unique capabilities across Google.
• Own state-of-the-art optical system designs, balancing real-world limitations, Geo’s operational needs, and external partner capabilities during joint development.
• Balance product delivery (ISDT) and research (TAG) agendas, executing end-to-end delivery for nebulous system goals while leading resource-aligned exploration of new materials, tools, and techniques for TAG’s roadmap.

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.