Staff Software Engineer, Switch Network OS
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Staff Software Engineer, Switch Network OS
207,000–301,000 / Year
Location
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Experience
Senior
Posted
Jul 18, 2026
Apply by
August 17, 2026
Applicants
0
Early applicantEasy applyFull-timeWork from Office
Job Description
Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience. 8 years of experience programming in C++. 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products. 5 years of experience building and developing large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems or networks, or experience with compute technologies, storage, or hardware architecture. 3 years of experience with software design and architecture. 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. Experience with software development in an open source environment with C or C++ programming. Experience with Linux user space development, multi-threading development, or embedded software development. Experience with network switch development, Layer 2/Layer 3 protocols, or open-source SONiC.
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. Join the Switch Infrastructure team and help industry-aligned switch software that advances Google's AI network infrastructure for scalability, agility, and innovation. In this role, you will build critical software for switches that power the world's largest AI infrastructure, spanning data center fabrics, wide area networks, and the peering edge of our network. You will design, develop, test, and improve switch software that enables high-performing fabrics for TPUs and GPUs. This is an exciting opportunity for engineers passionate about networking, embedded software, simulation, and distributed systems who want to move up and down the software stack. You will provide technical leadership, collaborate across teams, and help shape how AI is transforming data centers and networking at scale. The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide. We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more. 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 Provide technical leadership in designing, developing, and deploying switch software that powers Google's large-scale AI networking infrastructure for TPUs and GPUs. Perform scalability and performance tuning of large-scale networks, including data center fabrics, wide area networks, and peering edge infrastructure. Influence, coach, and guide a distributed team of engineers on software design, coding standards, and technical direction. Facilitate alignment and clarity across cross-functional and cross-business teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines. Manage individual project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables while ensuring high-quality, tested, and maintained software solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership in designing, developing, and deploying switch software for AI networking infrastructure.
- Perform scalability and performance tuning of large-scale networks including data center fabrics and wide area networks.
- Influence, coach, and guide a distributed team of engineers on software design and technical direction.
- Facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines.
- Manage individual project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure high-quality software solutions.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
Skills Required
C++Distributed systemsNetworksSoftware design and architectureLarge-scale infrastructureTechnical leadershipCollaborationCommunicationCOpen source developmentLinux user space developmentMulti-threading developmentEmbedded software developmentNetwork switch developmentLayer 2/Layer 3 protocolsSONiCProject team leadership
Benefits
- 20% bonus target
- Equity
- Benefits
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