Staff Software Engineer, Pixel Storage Architecture

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

Job summary

Google's Pixel Core Memory team seeks a senior software engineer to drive end-to-end memory and storage innovations across Pixel software. You will own the storage stack and DDR bring-up, including filesystems, I/O schedulers, and DRAM SoC drivers, contributing to upstream Linux blocks and storage performance.

The role requires deep experience with embedded OS, Linux kernel, and Android kernel, plus leadership to guide projects from design to deployment.

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 Linux Kernel.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize Android system performance across the entire I/O stack, from applications and frameworks down to the block layer and controller.
• Manage flash storage management, controlling and tuning I/O workloads to mitigate performance bottlenecks, power consumption, and thermal/stability risks on modern flash storage devices (UFS/eMMC).
• Implement high‑impact code changes in both the Android Framework and Linux Kernel (mainline, AOSP, SoC, and product‑specific branches).
• Write, debug, and implement upstream patches for core Linux filesystems (e.g., F2FS, ext4) and the I/O subsystem.
• Explore emerging storage architectures and drive next‑generation storage standards to shape the broader mobile industry.

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 Linux Kernel.

Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 1 year of experience in a technical leadership role.
• Experience in Android Kernel, Embedded Systems, File Systems, and Nand Flash Memory.
• Experience with software development in Python or Java programming language.
• Experience in Universal Flash Storage (UFS).

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. As a part of the Pixel Core Memory team, you will drive end-to-end memory and storage innovation across Pixel software. You will own the entire storage stack and DDR bring‑up, including filesystems, I/O schedulers, block and SCSI layers, UFS core drivers, and DRAM SoC drivers. In this role, you will contribute to the upstream Linux block and storage stack, optimizing I/O performance, latency, and reliability for Pixel devices. Additionally, this role will lead to the software architecture and design of next‑generation UFS and UFSHCI driver subsystems, also represent Google in JEDEC standardization efforts for emerging UFS and UFSHCI specifications. 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: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

Learn more about benefits at Google.

• Analyze and optimize Android system performance across the entire I/O stack, from applications and frameworks down to the block layer and controller.
• Manage flash storage management, controlling and tuning I/O workloads to mitigate performance bottlenecks, power consumption, and thermal/stability risks on modern flash storage devices (UFS/eMMC).
• Implement high‑impact code changes in both the Android Framework and Linux Kernel (mainline, AOSP, SoC, and product‑specific branches).
• Write, debug, and implement upstream patches for core Linux filesystems (e.g., F2FS, ext4) and the I/O subsystem.
• Explore emerging storage architectures and drive next‑generation storage standards to shape the broader mobile industry.

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 .