Staff Software Engineer, XR Ecosystem, AR/VR Graphics and Compositor

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

Job summary

Google in San Diego is seeking a software engineer to join the XR team focused on wearable AR/VR devices. You will work on software spanning from MCU firmware to Linux kernel, collaborating across hardware and software teams to enable production-ready wearable experiences.

The role emphasizes performance, power and reliability, with opportunities to influence the next generation of AR/VR devices and AI-assisted features in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 6 years of experience in systems integration.
• Experience with embedded software/firmware development and experience in C/C++.
• Experience in Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS).

Responsibilities

• Deliver software and technical support related to wearable consumer Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) device development, commercialization and production, from design, development, bring-up, factory assembly and manufacturing, test and qualification.
• Optimize software and firmware for power, performance, memory and reliability.
• Write robust, reliable, efficient, and testable software designed to run in environments that span from RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr), embedded frameworks (pigweed) to Linux kernel, drivers and Android hardware abstraction layer, services and frameworks.
• Bring-up, debugging, troubleshooting and commercializing wearable devices with MCUs, IMU, camera sensors.

Skills

Software development

Systems integration

C/C++

RTOS

Embedded software

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

pigweed

Linux kernel

Android HAL

Job description

In most instances, this position requires in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.
Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: San José, CA, USA; San Diego, CA, USA.
Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 6 years of experience in systems integration.
• Experience with embedded software/firmware development and experience in C/C++.
• Experience in Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS).

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.
• Experience with Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality or Wearables.
• Experience with Android BSP.
• Experience with any of the subsystems including Linux kernel, embedded firmware, video, camera, virtualization, system power or performance.

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.
For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by
breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where
lightweight XR devices like smart glasses and headsets pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences.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 .

• Deliver software and technical support related to wearable consumer Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) device development, commercialization and production, from design, development, bring-up, factory assembly and manufacturing, test and qualification.
• Optimize software and firmware for power, performance, memory and reliability.
• Write robust, reliable, efficient, and testable software designed to run in environments that span from Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) (FreeRTOS, Zephyr), embedded frameworks (pigweed) to Linux kernel, drivers and Android hardware abstraction layer, services and frameworks.
• Optimize software and firmware for power, performance, memory and reliability.
• Bring-up, debugging, troubleshooting and commercializing wearable devices with Microcontrollers (MCU), IMU, camera sensors.

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 .