Staff Software Engineer, Photos Storytelling

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.

The Memories team is dedicated to transforming reminisces by building a next-generation reminiscing experience that serves as the heartbeat of the Photos App. As we enter the Gemini era, we are aligning our engineering efforts to innovate deeper and faster, ensuring that user expectations for reliving life stories are not just met, but exceeded. Pioneering the next generation of reminiscing through prototyping and exploring new experience paradigms beyond the traditional feed.
Upgrading the core memories experience by integrating the intelligence of Gemini and Gen AI to fully upgrade how users revisit their past through memories. Building for billions of users by ensuring our features are scalable and robust. Operating as a seamless cross-functional partner team to align our vision with Product and UX partners.

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

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Act as a core engineering partner to product, UX, analytics, and privacy teams in a cross-functional triad to prototype solutions, refine requirements, and launch new features.
• Design and integrate backend and AI technologies into system architectures, writing clean code to bring product experiences to life.
• Succeed in a dynamic environment by iterating on prototypes, managing technical uncertainties, and delivering software solutions.
• Contribute to a collaborative and supportive team environment that supports sustainable execution and shared goals.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development (programming in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin, or Go).
• 5 years of experience building, testing, and shipping technical products or large-scale infrastructure/systems.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience building and launching ML-enabled product features rapidly, particularly to public users.
• Experience with Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLM).
• Experience leveraging Large Language Models to support a variety of professional tasks.
• Ability to work in a fluid, collaborative, creative environment with excellent communication skills.
• Passion to work on the forefront of technology, navigating the issues and ambiguity of "0-to-1" innovation.