Software Engineer - On-Device & Backend Systems

Meta; United States; On-site; USD 184,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to own the end-to-end software architecture spanning Meta's custom SoC platform, on-device AOSP-based software, and backend services that extend device capabilities into the cloud. You will drive decisions bridging hardware abstraction, Android platform software, and scalable cloud infrastructure to deliver seamless, high-performance experiences.

As a Staff Software Engineer, you will lead cross-functional initiatives across silicon, device software, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/Engineering.
• 10+ years of systems software experience spanning on-device and backend/distributed systems.
• Experience leading initiatives across hardware–software–cloud boundaries.
• Deep understanding of Android platform internals (AOSP) and build/integration workflows.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for on-device + Java/Kotlin or Python/C++ for backend services.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive end-to-end system architecture across on-device software and Meta backend services.
• Lead design and implementation of platform software leveraging custom SoC capabilities via AOSP services, HALs, and native frameworks.
• Resolve cross-boundary technical problems spanning silicon bring-up, OS layers, networking, and backend interactions.
• Architect backend services supporting on-device workloads (model serving, telemetry, OTA, device management).
• Drive performance optimization across the full stack: silicon-aware scheduling, serialization, and scalable backend latency/throughput.
• Collaborate with silicon/hardware teams to align software with custom hardware capabilities.
• Establish system-level metrics, monitoring, and reliability frameworks with end-to-end observability.
• Communicate architecture decisions and trade-offs to stakeholders across device and cloud teams.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate development and scale impact across the organization.
• Mentor and lead cross-functional teams through complex initiatives.

Skills

C/C++

Java/Kotlin

Python/C++

Android platform internals

Distributed backend services

System debugging

Hardware bring-up

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

AOSP

HAL

RPC frameworks

Cloud services

Job description

Meta is building the next generation of intelligent devices powered by custom silicon and deeply integrated cloud services. As a Staff Software Engineer on this team, you will own the end-to-end software architecture that spans Meta's custom SoC platform, on-device AOSP-based software, and the backend services that extend device capabilities into the cloud. You will drive the most complex cross-boundary technical decisions—bridging low-level hardware abstraction, Android platform software, and scalable backend infrastructure to deliver seamless, high-performance experiences. This role demands deep expertise across embedded/on-device systems and distributed backend services, and the ability to lead major initiatives that require tight coordination between silicon, device software, and cloud teams.

Software Engineer - On-Device & Backend Systems Responsibilities:

• Define and drive the end-to-end system architecture spanning on-device software (AOSP, Meta custom SoC interfaces) and Meta's backend services, ensuring coherent data flow, low latency, and reliability across the full stack
• Lead the design and implementation of platform software that leverages Meta's custom SoC capabilities—including hardware accelerators, DSPs, and specialized compute units—through AOSP system services, HALs, and native frameworks
• Own resolution of the most complex, ambiguous technical problems that cross the device–cloud boundary: diagnosing issues that manifest across silicon bring-up, OS layers, network transport, and backend service interactions
• Architect backend services that support on-device workloads—including model serving, telemetry pipelines, OTA update infrastructure, device management, and cloud offload—optimizing for scale, availability, and cost efficiency
• Drive performance optimization across the full stack: silicon-aware scheduling on-device, efficient serialization and transport protocols, and backend service latency/throughput at scale
• Partner with silicon/hardware teams to define software requirements for Meta's custom SoC, influence silicon roadmaps, and ensure platform software fully exploits custom hardware capabilities
• Establish system-level metrics, monitoring, and reliability frameworks that provide end-to-end observability from on-device health through backend service SLAs
• Collaborate cross-functionally with silicon, firmware, OS platform, product, ML/AI, and infrastructure teams to align technical strategies, unblock dependencies, and drive org-level outcomes
• Communicate architecture decisions, integration strategies, and technical trade-offs to stakeholders at all levels—driving alignment across device and backend organizations
• Leverage AI tools and workflows to accelerate development, improve system analysis, and scale your impact across the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years of experience in systems software engineering, with significant depth in both on-device/embedded platforms and backend/distributed systems
• Experience leading complex initiatives that span hardware–software–cloud boundaries with demonstrated org-level impact
• Deep understanding of Android platform internals (AOSP): system services, HAL interfaces, native frameworks, and build/integration workflows
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for on-device systems programming and Java/Kotlin or Python/C++ for backend service development
• Experience working with custom silicon or SoC platforms—including hardware bring-up, driver integration, or hardware abstraction layer development
• Experience designing and operating large-scale backend services (e.g., RPC frameworks, data pipelines, model serving, distributed storage)
• Track record of solving highly complex technical problems that span multiple systems, teams, and organizational boundaries
• Experience with system-level debugging across the full stack: hardware traces, OS-level profiling, network diagnostics, and backend service observability
• Experience shipping consumer devices or embedded systems at scale alongside their supporting cloud infrastructure

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with large-scale backend infrastructure (RPC frameworks, distributed data stores, real-time analytics) or equivalent service frameworks
• Familiarity with custom silicon workflows: firmware/software co-design, DSP programming, hardware accelerator integration, or silicon validation
• Experience with on-device ML inference, model optimization (quantization, compilation for custom accelerators), and cloud-to-device model deployment pipelines
• Proficiency in power-aware software design: balancing on-device compute vs. cloud offload for battery life, thermal, and latency constraints
• Experience with OTA systems, device fleet management, or A/B experimentation frameworks for hardware products
• Background in real-time or low-latency systems: sensor fusion, streaming media, or interactive workloads that span device and cloud
• Experience with wearable devices, AR/VR systems, mobile platforms, or IoT at scale
• Track record of leading large-scale projects from silicon bring-up through mass production and live service operation
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize engineering workflows and drive measurable efficiency gains
• Experience defining APIs and contracts between on-device and backend systems that remain stable across hardware generations

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiantative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$183,997/year to $257,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits.

Learn more about benefits at Meta.