Software Engineer III, Performance

Google LLC; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Google Sunnyvale, CA, USA invites applications for a Software Engineer III in Performance. The role focuses on optimizing large-scale systems, performance modeling, and data-driven improvements across internal platforms.

Expect collaboration across teams to deliver scalable, efficient software. The candidate should bring strong software development experience, a solid foundation in computer architecture, and a track record of performance optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 2 years of software development experience in one or more languages.
• 2 years of performance analysis, large-scale data analysis, or debugging.
• 2 years of knowledge in computer architecture and performance modeling.

Responsibilities

• Track AI market, identify optimization opportunities.
• Validate SOTA optimizations (e.g., quantization, mxfp4) for internal customers.
• Drive end-to-end impact by transitioning algorithms to Frontier Model Performance and Automation teams.
• Collaborate on hardware/software co-design to guide TPU architecture and product capabilities.
• Develop custom kernels (Pallas) for new efficiency techniques and production deployment.

Skills

Software development in one or more

Performance analysis

Large-scale data analysis

Data visualization tools

Debugging

Computer architecture

Performance modeling

Data structures & algorithms

ML models and systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related fields

Job description

Share Software Engineer III, Performance

Google Sunnyvale, CA, USA

X In most instances, this position requires in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
  
• 2 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages.
• 2 years of experience with performance, large-scale systems data analysis, visualization tools, or debugging.
  
• 2 years of experience with computer architecture, performance analysis, and performance modeling.

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 hardware-software algorithmic co-design and computer architecture analysis.
• Strong background in ML models and systems.

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 Core team builds the technical foundation behind Google’s flagship products. We are owners and advocates for the underlying design elements, developer platforms, product components, and infrastructure at Google. These are the essential building blocks for excellent, safe, and coherent experiences for our users and drive the pace of innovation for every developer. We look across Google’s products to build central solutions, break down technical barriers and strengthen existing systems. As the Core team, we have a mandate and a unique opportunity to impact important technical decisions across the company.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 .

• Track the AI market, including the latest open-source models, frameworks, and research breakthroughs to identify SOTA algorithmic optimization opportunities.
  
• Identify and validate SOTA algorithmic optimizations (e.g., quantization, mxfp4) through white-glove projects for key internal customers.
  
• Drive end-to-end impact by transitioning validated algorithms and recipes to the Frontier Model Performance (manual optimization) and Automation teams, ensuring streamlined scaling.
  
• Collaborate on hardware/software co-design to guide future TPU architecture (e.g., nvfp4) and product capabilities.
  
• Develop custom kernels (Pallas) for new algorithmic efficiency techniques, and put them into production for 3P/OSS and 1P models.
  

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.

To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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.