Software Engineer III, Embedded Systems/Firmware, XR

Google; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Google is seeking a software engineer to design and maintain the low level system software for AR reference platforms, spanning bootloader, kernel, device drivers and Android HAL.

The role requires C/C++ and embedded OS experience; you will collaborate with EE to review schematic designs and develop hardware bring up, contributing to SOC and MCU software while optimizing power and stability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of experience with software development in C/C++.
• 2 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain the low level system software that enables our AR reference platforms.
• Contribute across subsystems including bootloader, kernel, device drivers and Android HAL.
• Contribute to both SOC (Android) and MCU (RTOS) software.
• Optimize power consumption, thermal envelope and improve system stability.
• Collaborate with EE team to review schematic designs and develop hardware bring up.

Skills

C/C++ development

Embedded systems

Data structures & algorithms

Git

Gerrit

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Linux

Android

Hardware debugging tools

Job description

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Miami, FL, USA; San Jose, CA, USA.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of experience with software development in C/C++.
• 2 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical fields.
• 2 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• Experience with version control systems like Git and code review tools like Gerrit.
• Familiarity with Linux device drivers and Android.
• Ability to debug hardware using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.

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 Glasses OS System Software team delivers the core software layers for our hardware reference designs. Our work begins at the hardware's inception—covering schematic reviews and factory bring up—and continues through the entire device lifecycle.

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

Responsibilities

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Design and maintain the low level system software that enables our AR reference platforms.
• Contribute across multiple subsystems including bootloader, kernel, device drivers and Android HAL.
• Contribute to both SOC (Android) and MCU (RTOS) software.
• Optimize power consumption, thermal envelope and improve system stability.
• Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering (EE) team to review schematic designs and develop hardware bring up and software test plans.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .