Staff Network Engineer and Architect

Google is proud to boast a network that provides service to millions of Internet users around the world. The Network Engineering team is responsible for operating that network reliably and at scale. As a member of the team, you have a direct impact on design and feature enhancements to keep our systems running smoothly. You also ensure that network operations are safe and efficient by monitoring network performance, coordinating planned maintenance, adjusting hardware components and responding to network connectivity issues. Google's complex network generates a constant stream of challenges which require you to continually be innovative with an evolving set of technologies. Keeping the network reliable ensures that our users stay connected with our suite of applications, products and services.

As a Staff Network Engineer, you will be a key individual contributor responsible for driving the definition and documentation of our network architecture and standards, including for new product introductions. You will address ambiguous issues, and will have a direct impact on teams across the organization.

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.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $183,000-$271,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural policy and standards documentation across the OSI stack and prepare network designs for all new sites, upgrades, and capacity additions.
• Drive hardware lifecycle policies to minimize Excess and Obsolescence (E&O), balancing new technology introduction for scaling and cost reduction.
• Develop methodologies for machine-readable policies to enable automated design verification and integration across the Google Global Infrastructure (GGI) stack.
• Work cross-functionally to provide business requirements, ensure seamless platform integration, and act as the "go-to" Network Engineer to drive data-driven improvements and standardization for efficiency.
• Contribute to planning and design system requirements, roadmaps, and drive alignment across multiple teams, focusing on process efficiency and delivering results under urgent timelines.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  
• 10 years of experience with network routing protocols, design and troubleshooting, with network equipment providers.
• 5 years of experience with planning and designing networks (e.g., multiple sites, multiple products, etc.).

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in carrier-class telecommunications, optical networks, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), Internet Protocol (IP), and data services.
• Experience defining requirements and delivering Layer 1, Layer 2, or Layer 3 network systems.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional network infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of CDN, IP transit/peering, dark fiber, colocation, optical transport, cloud technologies and industry processes.
• Ability to integrate financial and operational metrics (e.g., TCO/budgeting, capacity, demand forecasting, resource allocation) to inform network planning, design, and technology investment decisions.
• Excellent communication skills to influence decisions and solve ambiguous, cross-organizational problems.