Staff Software Engineer, Incubation and Prototyping

Google; Ionia (NY); On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google Staff Software Engineer, Incubation and Prototyping in New York, NY, demands advanced experience owning outcomes, solving ambiguous problems, and influencing stakeholders. You will lead end-to-end AI prototyping, collaborate with researchers, designers, PMs, and external partners, and craft demos to inspire leadership.

The role focuses on translating ethnographic insights into actionable AI capabilities, setting proofs-of-concept goals, and shaping technical direction in a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products, and 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• 5 years of experience in applying AI solutions and ML-related technologies in consumer or enterprise applications.
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical work to translate ethnographic research into proven AI capabilities through rapid prototyping, cross-functional collaboration, and iterative feedback.
• Execute the end-to-end development of applied AI concepts, navigating the development lifecycle from exploration to guiding handoffs for replication.
• Set the technical goals for new proofs-of-concept from 0-to-1, guiding a small team and fostering a culture of rapid experimentation and technical excellence.
• Collaborate iteratively with researchers, designers, product managers, and external partners to bridge the gap between human needs and technological capabilities.
• Own the technical narrative for proofs-of-concept by preparing demos and technical documentation that inspire leadership and external partners.

Skills

AI/ML applications

Generative AI integration

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototyping and rapid development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or PhD

Job description

Staff Software Engineer, Incubation and Prototyping

Location: New York, NY, USA

Experience Level: Advanced

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

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, and 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• 5 years of experience in applying AI solutions and ML-related technologies in consumer or enterprise applications.
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.
• Experience navigating ambiguous problem spaces and delivering technical prototypes or proofs-of-concept.
• Experience integrating the latest artificial intelligence capabilities and vibe coding tools into engineering practices.
• Experience working at the intersection of technology and social systems, such as governance, health, or economic insecurity.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical complexity into compelling narratives for non-technical stakeholders.

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.

Jigsaw is an incubator within Google that builds technologies to give people greater agency in the world around them. Across the globe, we're more connected than ever before, to information and to each other, yet many of us feel disconnected from the decisions and systems that affect our lives. We believe that AI can bridge this divide between the desire to shape our world and the ability to do so.

Jigsaw offers mission-driven work within a nimble interdisciplinary team, connections to academia and civil society, and a quick path to taking technology public.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $207,000 - $300,000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical work to translate ethnographic research into proven AI capabilities through rapid prototyping, cross-functional collaboration, and iterative feedback.
• Execute the end-to-end development of applied AI concepts, navigating the development lifecycle from exploration to guiding handoffs for replication.
• Set the technical goals for new proofs-of-concept from 0-to-1, guiding a small team and fostering a culture of rapid experimentation and technical excellence.
• Collaborate iteratively with researchers, designers, product managers, and external partners to bridge the gap between human needs and technological capabilities.
• Own the technical narrative for proofs-of-concept by preparing demos and technical documentation that inspire leadership and external partners.

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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 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.

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, is 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: New York, NY, USA