Staff Software Developer, Embedded - Google, Waterloo

AI Summary

This Staff Software Developer, Embedded Systems/Firmware role at Google in Waterloo, ON, Canada, involves defining technical roadmaps and leading hardware platform bring-up. The position requires managing a team of embedded developers while making significant individual contributions to software development. Top requirements include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 8 years of software development experience, 3 years with embedded operating systems, and 2 years in a people management role.

About the Role and Team

Google's software developers are at the forefront of creating next-generation technologies that transform how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information globally. Our products demand the ability to handle information at a massive scale, extending far beyond traditional web search. We actively seek software developers who bring fresh ideas from diverse areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking, data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design, and mobile technologies; this list is continually expanding. As a software developer, you will contribute to critical projects aligned with Google’s needs, with opportunities to transition between teams and projects as both you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We value software developers who are versatile, demonstrate strong leadership qualities, and are enthusiastic about tackling new problems across the full-stack as we relentlessly push technology forward. With your technical expertise, you will manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables, designing, developing, testing, deploying, maintaining, and enhancing software solutions. As a Staff Software Developer for this team, you will operate at the crucial intersection of hardware and software, fundamentally shaping how the next generation of wearable computing devices comes to life. Leading a team of embedded developers in Waterloo, you will confront and solve ambitious technical challenges on resource-constrained, multi-processor Android and MCU-based platforms. Beyond team management, you will clarify technical direction and influence the long-term architecture of the Glasses platform, balancing deep technical contributions with the growth and career development of your developers. The Google Augmented Reality team comprises experts dedicated to building the foundational elements for immersive computing and crafting helpful, delightful user experiences. Our focus is on making immersive computing accessible to billions of people through mobile devices, and our scope continues to expand and evolve.

Key Responsibilities and Impact

This Staff Software Developer role involves defining multi-quarter technical roadmaps and collaborating with cross-functional leads in Hardware, Product, and UX to ensure software outcomes align with broader XR organisational goals. A core responsibility is leading the bring-up of multiprocessor MCU and SoC-based hardware reference platforms, taking ownership of end-to-end delivery measured through system stability milestones. The successful candidate will also lead the development and maintenance of critical embedded software components, including bootloaders, hardware abstraction layers (HALs), and drivers for essential components such as chargers, fuel gauges, touchpads, and environmental sensors. Furthermore, this position entails managing a team of embedded developers, fostering a strong developing culture that prioritises psychological safety, technical excellence, and continuous growth. Significant individual contributions are expected, encompassing the creation and review of designs, writing critical-path code, and executing data-driven optimisations to the platform, leveraging extensive software development experience to drive innovation and impact.

Qualifications and Expertise

Candidates for this Staff Software Developer position must possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience. A minimum of 8 years of experience in software development is required, alongside 3 years of experience with embedded operating systems. Furthermore, applicants should have 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role and 2 years of experience in a people management or team leadership capacity, demonstrating proven leadership capabilities over several years. Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field, showcasing advanced academic experience. Proficiency in C or C++ is highly valued, as is knowledge of Android platform development or Microcontroller Unit (MCU) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) systems. Excellent communication and people management skills are essential for working effectively across diverse cross-functional teams, ensuring seamless collaboration. Strong problem-solving abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and robust project management skills are also preferred, enabling the successful candidate to drive results and contribute significantly to the team's development efforts and overall project success.