Software Engineer, Backend, Google Photos

Google Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Google Inc. is seeking a Backend Software Engineer for Google Photos to help build scalable storage and retrieval features across web and mobile platforms. You will contribute to backend services, APIs, and integration with third-party providers, while partnering with product, UX, QA, and other teams.

The role focuses on scalable infrastructure, data handling, and system health, with opportunities to influence architecture and drive the Photos storage monetization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience required.
• 2 years of experience with large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems, or related compute/storage expertise.
• 2 years of software development in one or more languages, or 1 year with an advanced degree.
• Experience developing APIs and integrating third-party services.

Responsibilities

• Write product or system development code.
• Review code and provide feedback to ensure best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to define requirements and design engineering solutions.
• Coordinate with engineering leads on other platforms for consistent experiences.
• Build experiences that advance the Storage Monetization goals inside Google Photos.

Skills

API development

Distributed systems

Programming languages

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Java

Kotlin

Job description

Share Software Engineer, Backend, Google Photos

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of experience with developing large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems or networks, or experience with compute technologies, storage or hardware architecture.
• 2 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages, or 1 year of experience with an advanced degree.
• Experience developing APIs and integrating third‑party services.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical fields.
• 2 years of experience with performance, large-scale systems data analysis, visualization tools, or debugging.
• 2 years of experience with data structures and algorithms in either an academic or industry setting.
• 2 years of experience programming in the Java or Kotlin programming language.
• Proficiency in code and system health, diagnosis and resolution, and software test engineering.

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 part of the Photos business generation team, you will focus on optimizing business growth strategies for the Photos App. You will manage vital user storage journeys that are central to our business growth.

In this role, your mission is to create and enhance experiences that drive the expansion of Google Photos and its integration with Google One. You will assist users throughout their storage life-cycle, helping them monitor usage and find the best solutions to keep their digital memories secure and accessible.

As a backend engineer, you will work on globally-scaled features that shape how millions of users manage their digital legacies. Google Photos is a photo sharing and storage service developed by Google. Photos is one of the most sought after products at Google and is looking for both client‑side (web and mobile), with server‑side (search, storage, serving) and machine intelligence (learning, computer vision) Software Engineers. We are dedicated to making Google experiences centered around the user. Individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $147000 - $210000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

• Write product or system development code.
• Review code developed by other developers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, and efficiency).
• Collaborate with Product Manager, UX, Quality Assurance and other cross‑functional partners to define requirements and design engineering solutions to user problems.
• Coordinate with the engineering leads on other platforms (Android, iOS) to achieve consistent experiences while maintaining platform specific nuances.
• Build delightful experiences that further the Storage Monetization mission goals inside one of Google's most loved apps - Photos.

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, colour, 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.