Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML Recommendations, Rankings, Predictions, YouTube

Google; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 207,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff Software Engineer specializing in AI/ML Recommendations for YouTube. The role focuses on large-scale systems, high-impact ML projects, and leadership across distributed teams in Mountain View and San Bruno.

The candidate will design and optimize recommendation models, align multi-team goals, and guide architecture decisions while delivering impactful products at scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience building and deploying recommendation systems models in production.
• 5 years of experience leading ML design and optimizing ML infrastructure.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance large-scale software solutions.
• Provide technical leadership on high-impact projects and manage priorities.
• Facilitate alignment across teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines.
• Lead the design and implementation of recommendation systems and ML infrastructure.

Skills

Software development

ML systems

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Master's degree or PhD (preferred)

Job description

Position: Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML Recommendations, Rankings, Predictions, YouTube

Location: Mountain View, CA, USA; San Bruno, CA, USA

Experience Level: Advanced

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance large-scale software solutions.
• Provide technical leadership on high-impact projects. Manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Facilitate alignment and clarity across teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines. Influence and coach a distributed team of engineers.
• Lead the design and implementation of recommendation systems, optimize ML infrastructure, and guide the development of model architecture.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience building and deploying recommendation systems models (retrieval, prediction, ranking, embedding) in production and experience building architecture in different modeling domains.
• 5 years of experience leading ML design and optimizing ML infrastructure (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, data processing, debugging, fine-tuning).
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8 years of experience with data structures/algorithms.
• 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.
• 3 years of experience working in a complex, 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 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. At YouTube, we believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share, and build community through our stories. We work together to give everyone the power to share their story, explore what they love, and connect with one another in the process. Working at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and boundless creativity, we move at the speed of culture with a shared goal to show people the world. We explore new ideas, solve real problems, and have fun - and we do it all together.

Compensation:

US: $207,000 - $301,000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Information Collection:

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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 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.

If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

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.

Locations: Mountain View, CA, USA; San Bruno, CA, USA

Experience Level: Advanced

Experience owning outcomes and decision-making, solving ambiguous problems, influencing stakeholders; deep expertise in domain.