Staff Hardware System Architect, Pixel Watch

Google LLC; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 188,000 - 274,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff Hardware System Architect for the Pixel Watch to define and implement the hardware architecture for wearable products, enabling ambient and edge computing.

You will lead system design across subsystems, optimizing performance, power, and cost, and collaborate with silicon vendors and product teams to deliver future wearables. The role requires deep SoC experience and strong technical leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 6 years of experience in a consumer electronics environment.
• 3 years of experience in technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Architect data processing paths and hardware-software interfaces for ambient and edge computing on wearable hardware.
• Define system and component-level specs for performance, power, and thermals for critical user journeys including on-device AI.
• Evaluate trade-offs between power, cost, and form factor; select chipsets and influence supplier roadmaps.
• Oversee system prototyping and integration; drive validation to meet KPI targets.
• Investigate emerging technologies and architectures to drive future wearables.

Skills

Technical leadership

Ambiguity tolerance

Cross-functional collaboration

Architectural thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience

Tools

SoC design

Android hardware systems

ML/AI accelerators

wearable hardware

ambient/edge computing

Job description

Staff Hardware System Architect, Pixel Watch

Share Staff Hardware System Architect, Pixel Watch

corporate_fare Google place Mountain View, CA, USA

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 6 years of experience working in a consumer electronics environment.
• 3 years of experience in technical leadership.

Preferred qualifications:

• 10 years of experience in computer architecture and System-on-Chip (SoC) design, for Android-based hardware systems.
• Experience in balancing complex design trade-offs across performance, power, cost, and form factor within hardware and software domains.
• Experience with machine learning models and AI accelerators, such as Neural Processing Units (NPUs).
• Experience in ambient and edge computing, including on-device AI processing, data processing, and memory management for low-power devices.
• Knowledge of consumer electronics, with a focus on wearable or mobile ecosystems.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive technical consensus across matrixed engineering, software, and product management teams.

About the job

The Watch Hardware Engineering team is looking for a System Architect responsible for defining and implementing the hardware architecture for wearable products to enable ambient and edge computing applications.

In this role, you will provide thought leadership in architecting the system design and platform architecture for next generation wearable products. You will ensure all subsystems work together to meet performance, power, and cost goals for all critical user journeys. This role involves an understanding and analysis of the data processing paths and associated hardware, silicon, and software solutions. You will collaborate cross-functionally both internally and externally with silicon vendors and technology partners.

The Platforms and Devices team encompasses Google's various computing software platforms across environments (desktop, mobile, applications), as well as our first party devices and services that combine the best of Google AI, software, and hardware. Teams across this area research, design, and develop new technologies to make our user's interaction with computing faster and more seamless, building innovative experiences for our users around the world. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $188000 - $274000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Architect the data processing paths and hardware-software interfaces for ambient and edge computing applications on wearable hardware.
• Define system and component-level specifications for performance, power, and thermals. Support critical user journeys, including on-device AI for audio and ecosystem interoperability across Google’s platforms.
• Evaluate the critical trade-offs between power, cost, and form factor. Select chipsets and key components while influencing supplier road maps to deliver optimized solutions.
• Oversee system prototyping and integration. Drive the validation and optimization process to ensure all hardware meets established key performance indicators.
• Investigate emerging technologies, algorithms, and architectures to drive innovation for future wearable products.

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.