Staff Software Engineer, Embedded Systems/Firmware

Google; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google LLC is seeking a Senior Server Software Engineer within Platforms Infrastructure Engineering (PIE) to design and build firmware and software for Google's large-scale servers, appliances, and networked infrastructure. You will work on TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, and data center operations, with opportunities to switch teams as the landscape evolves.

You will join a team responsible for bringing up servers, developing kernel-level solutions, and driving reliability across Google’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of software development experience.
• 5 years testing and launching software products.
• 5 years with embedded operating systems.
• 3 years in software design and architecture.
• Experience with C++, Linux, Python, firmware, and bootloaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-impact server software projects from design through deployment.
• Design, develop, test, and optimize large-scale software across architecture, BIOS, firmware, and kernel.
• Own early system board bring-up, troubleshooting, and data center deployments.
• Mentor a distributed team of engineers to elevate technical standards.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to align goals and timelines on complex programs.

Skills

C++

Linux

Python

Embedded OS

Software design

Architecture

Operating systems

Bootloaders

Firmware

Leadership

Reliability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Job description

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

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products.
• 5 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience with C++, Linux, Python, operating systems, bootloaders, firmware, leadership, reliability.

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 complex, matrixed organization involving cross-functional, or cross-business projects.
• Experience with continuous build, continuous deployment, continuous integration, GPU drivers, computer architecture.

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. Platforms Infrastructure Engineering (PIE) operates within the Google Cloud umbrella. We are not like other product areas that produce specific products, we provide the infrastructure that makes Google run. PIE engineers design and build the software, hardware, computing platforms and networking technologies that power ALL of Google’s services. Google's computing platforms are the largest, most energy and cost-efficient distributed computing infrastructure in the world. The Server Software team is responsible for designing and developing the firmware and software to bring up and run Google's custom designed Servers, Appliances, Switches and supporting these at scale in the fleet. We work closely with many partner teams within and outside of PIE. This is an opportunity to work at the frontier of AI/ML training on a truly unique initiative. The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide. We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Lead high-impact, critical server software projects from design through deployment, managing technical priorities, schedules, and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
• Design, develop, test, and enhance large-scale software solutions leveraging deep expertise across computer architecture, BIOS, firmware, and the kernel to power Google’s massive server fleet.
• Own early system board bring-up, troubleshooting, issue triage, and data center deployments by building advanced tools for automated diagnostics, performance evaluation, and reliability assurance.
• Influence, coach, and mentor a distributed team of engineers, elevating technical standards and driving engineering excellence across the broader organization.
• Foster clarity and alignment on goals, outcomes, and timelines by collaborating closely with internal and external partners to successfully execute complex engineering programs.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is 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 or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .