Staff Software Engineer, Photos Create

Google

Los Angeles, California, United States · Mountain View, California, United States · San Francisco, California, United States · New York, New York, United StatesFull-time$207,000–$300,000Posted Oct 21, 2026

About the role

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 8 years of experience in software development (e.g., Java, C++). with

software design and architecture.

  • 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products.
  • 5 years of experience building large-scale infrastructure, distributed

systems, or networks.

  • 5 years of experience leading technical strategy.
  • Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related

technical field.

  • 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 launching ML-enabled product features to consumers.

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.

The Google Photos Create team aims to empower our users with simple tools to

express themselves creatively, bringing joy to you and those around you. We

partner to transform your moments into whatever you want, however you want,

whenever you want. The team focuses on bringing Google’s cutting edge gen media

technologies to Google Photos and delivering a delightful experience for Photos’

1.5 billion users to create assets that are easily shareable and bring out the

best in your content

Check out some of our recent launches that were featured in the Superbowl,

Google I/O, and Made by Google: Create Tab

[https://blog.google/products/photos/google-photos-create-tab-editing-tools/]

(with I2V and Remix!

[https://blog.google/products/photos/photo-to-video-remix-create-tab/]),

Conversational Editing

[https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulmonckton/2025/06/11/google-photos-gives-new-ai-photo-editor-to-all-and-its-a-genius-move/],

Video Remix

[https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/photos/video-remix/], Face

Touchups

[https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/photos/new-touch-up-tools-google-photos/],

and many more.

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

Learn more about benefits at Google

[https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/benefits/].

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Move beyond high-level scoping to take personal ownership of complex,

ambiguous problems, ensuring they are clarified and solved through technical

leadership.

  • Contribute to the codebase and system design, setting a high bar for

technical excellence and scalable execution.

  • Steer short and long-term investments to deliver at a rapid industry pace.
  • Balance influence with taking initiative to prove out new Generative Media

features and technology in our product.

  • Work efficiently across teams and cross-functionally with PM and PgM.

Responsibilities

  • Own and resolve complex, ambiguous problems through technical leadership.
  • Contribute to code and system design while setting a high bar for technical excellence and scalable execution.
  • Guide short- and long-term investments to deliver at a rapid pace.
  • Prove out new generative media features and technology for Google Photos.
  • Work cross-functionally with teams, product managers, and program managers.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 8 years of software development experience, including software design and architecture.
  • 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
  • 5 years of experience building large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems, or networks.
  • 5 years of experience leading technical strategy.
  • Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.
  • Preferred: Master's degree or PhD in a relevant technical field.
  • Preferred: 3 years in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.

Benefits

  • 20% bonus target
  • Equity
  • Benefits

Skills mentioned

JavaC++System DesignDistributed SystemsSoftware TestingMachine LearningGenerative AILarge Language ModelsAPI IntegrationModel Deployment

About Google

A problem isn't truly solved until it's solved for all. Googlers build products that help create opportunities for everyone, whether down the street or across the globe. Bring your insight, imagination and a healthy disregard for the impossible. Bring everything that makes you unique. Together, we can build for everyone. Check out our career opportunities at goo.gle/3DLEokh

Software Development10,001+ employeesMountain View, CA

H-1B sponsorship history

Historical employer filing data was found for Google. The employer record includes 57,181 historical certified applications. This is employer-level history, not a guarantee that this role currently offers sponsorship.