Staff Software Engineer, Knowledge Catalog, AI

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.

With your technical expertise you will manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables. You will design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance software solutions.

We are seeking hands-on, passionate builders. In this role, you will empower AI agents across industry-leading Google Cloud and third-party data ecosystems, including BigQuery, lakehouses, operational databases, etc. You will tackle highly ambiguous, cutting-edge challenges in context engineering, metadata enrichment, search, personalization, conversational analytics, and large scale catalog infrastructure.

You will drive rapid prototyping and experimentation, touching everything from core platform components to user interfaces and end-to-end agent journeys. You will also lead seamless integrations with flagship products like Gemini Enterprise, Looker, and Conversational Analytics, while working directly with the customers to validate ideas, iterate rapidly, and shape the future of AI-driven data.

Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $207000 - $301000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Drive Technical Goal: Generate critical, innovative ideas and own the architectural direction for highly ambiguous problem spaces. You will maintain an approach to coding and system design while setting the standard for engineering excellence.
  
• Influence Across Boundaries: Act as a technical multiplier. Navigate complex organizational structures to influence technical decisions and align outcomes across various Google Cloud products and distinct engineering organizations.
  
• Shape Strategy and Product: Apply strong product-thinking to technical challenges. Partner closely with Engineering and Product Managers to define the long-term roadmap and ensure our technical capabilities align with customer and business needs.
  
• Lead and Elevate: Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to junior engineers across the team, elevating the overall capability and velocity of the organization.

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 leading ML design and optimizing ML infrastructure (e.g., model deployment, model evaluation, data processing, debugging, fine tuning).
• 2 years of experience with state of the art GenAI techniques (e.g., LLMs, Multi-Modal, Large Vision Models) or with GenAI-related concepts (language modeling, computer vision).

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 shipping 0-to-1 AI applications, with a holistic understanding of product, quality, and infra.
• Knowledge of data warehouses, big data, SQL, and data governance.

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Kirkland, WA, USA.

In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees.