Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML, Backend, Agents

Google; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 197,000 - 291,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to work on AI/ML backend systems. This role involves contributing to large-scale projects, collaborating with teams, and implementing innovative solutions. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in C++ and software architecture. The position offers a competitive salary range of $197,000–$291,000, with additional bonuses and benefits. This is a unique opportunity to work on transformative technologies that reshape user interaction and connectivity.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience programming in C++.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 5 years of experience building and developing large-scale infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Write and test product or system development code.
• Collaborate with peers and stakeholders for best practices.
• Design and implement solutions in Machine Learning areas.

Skills

Programming in C++

Software design and architecture

Machine Learning infrastructure

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Master’s degree or PhD in related field

Job description

Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML, Backend, Agents – Google

Join to apply for the Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML, Backend, Agents role at Google. By applying to this position you can share your preferred working location from the following: Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Kirkland, WA, USA; Madison, WI, USA.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience programming in C++.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 5 years of experience building and developing large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems or networks, or experience with compute technologies, storage, or hardware architecture.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• 3 years of experience with ML infrastructure (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, data processing, debugging).

Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.
• 3 years of experience working in a matrixed organization involving cross‑functional or cross‑business projects.

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 handle information at massive scale, extending well beyond web search. We are 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. 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 grow. Applied AI builds conversational agents deployed at a large scale that achieve meaningful real‑world results, such as customer agents for call‑center environments and food ordering agents. In this role, you will transform how enterprises connect with customers through AI, collaborating with model builders (Google DeepMind / Vertex) and accessing global customers via Google Cloud.

The U.S. base salary range for this full‑time position is $197,000–$291,000 + bonus + equity + benefits.

Responsibilities

• Write and test product or system development code.
• Collaborate with peers and stakeholders through design and code reviews to ensure best practices among available technologies.
• Contribute to existing documentation or educational content and adapt content based on product/program updates and user feedback.
• Triage product or system issues and debug/track/resolve by analyzing the sources of issues and the impact on hardware, network, or service operations and quality.
• Design and implement solutions in one or more specialized Machine Learning (ML) areas, leveraging ML infrastructure and demonstrating expertise in a chosen field.

EEO Statement

Google is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and 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, veteran status, or criminal history when consistent with legal requirements. See Google’s EEO Policy. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.