Staff Software Engineer, Source Client

Google; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Source Client in San Jose, CA. You will own critical outcomes across core version control components, collaborating with product teams to deliver end-to-end workflows that improve developer productivity and scale.

The role emphasizes leadership, architecture design, and integration of AI-enabled tooling within large-scale systems. Ideal candidates have deep experience in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Go, with a track record in testing, launching

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience programming in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Go.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core components for next-generation version control systems, including the open-source jj (Jujutsu) project, focusing on performance and scalability.
• Partner with cross-functional product teams—such as those building code review platforms, code search, and AI-enabled developer tools—to deliver integrated workflows that unlock new frontiers in engineering productivity.
• Facilitate alignment and clarity across teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines.
• Influence and coach a distributed team of engineers.
• Grow and sustain healthy open-source communities around source control tools like jj and Git, and collaborate with the broader industry.

Skills

C++

Java

Python

Kotlin

Go

Software testing

Software architecture

AI tool integration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Git

jj (Jujutsu)

Code review tools

Job description

Staff Software Engineer, Source Client

Google

San Jose, CA, USA

Advanced Level: 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 programming in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Go.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience with operating system internals (Linux/macOS) and file system design.
• Experience integrating agents and AI in their team’s products or processes to help drive AI adoption in the Source Client team.
• Expertise in C++ or Rust in a large-scale production environment.
• Familiarity with version control systems (VCS) like Git, Mercurial, or jj beyond basic usage.
• Track record of significant contributions to high-profile open-source 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 your 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.

The Core team builds the technical foundation behind Google’s flagship products. We are owners and advocates for the underlying design elements, developer platforms, product components, and infrastructure at Google. These are the essential building blocks for excellent, safe, and coherent experiences for our users and drive the pace of innovation for every developer. We look across Google’s products to build central solutions, break down technical barriers and strengthen existing systems. As the Core team, we have a mandate and a unique opportunity to impact important technical decisions across the company.

US: $207000 - $301000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core components for next-generation version control systems, including the open-source jj (Jujutsu) project, focusing on performance and scalability.
• Partner with cross-functional product teams—such as those building code review platforms, code search, and AI-enabled developer tools—to deliver integrated workflows that unlock new frontiers in engineering productivity.
• Facilitate alignment and clarity across teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines.
• Influence and coach a distributed team of engineers.
• Grow and sustain healthy open-source communities around source control tools like jj and Git, and collaborate with the broader industry.

Equal Opportunity

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, 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.