Senior Software Engineer, Android System and Frameworks, Beam

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.

Beam is an AI-first 3D video communication platform developed by Google that enables remote conversations to feel like natural, in-person interactions. Formerly known as Project Starline, Beam combines advanced AI volumetric video modeling, spatial audio, and light-field display technology to provide lifelike depth, perspective, and eye contact without requiring headsets or 3D glasses. The team operates in a fast-paced environment handling complex challenges across real-time computing, machine perception, and hardware-software co-design.

As a Engineer on Android System and Frameworks, you will drive low-level platform architecture across the Android stack, bridging custom hardware with upper-layer system services. You will deliver low-latency, power-efficient, and robust platform software across custom Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) interfaces (AIDL/HIDL), framework extensions, and runtime performance profiling, owning the foundational software powering the Beam experience.

Labs is a group focused on incubating early-stage efforts in support of Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our team exists to help discover and create new ways to advance our core products through exploration and the application of new technologies. We work to build new solutions that have the potential to transform how users interact with Google. Our goal is to drive innovation by developing new Google products and capabilities that deliver significant impact over longer timeframes.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $174000 - $252000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Write and test product or system development code in C, C++, and Kotlin/Java across low-level Android HALs, AIDL interfaces, and system services.
• Participate in, or lead design reviews with peers and cross-functional stakeholders (silicon vendors, BSP, hardware) to decide amongst available technologies.
• Review code developed by other developers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, and efficiency).
• Contribute to existing documentation or educational content and adapt architecture specifications based on product/program updates, performance metrics, and user feedback.
• Triage product or system issues and debug/track/resolve by analyzing root causes and the impact on custom hardware, kernel, network, or service operations.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages (e.g., C, C++, Kotlin, or Java).
• 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, and 1 year of experience with large-scale application design and architecture.
• 3 years of experience with Android application development or Android platform and Framework development.
• Experience with low-level systems programming, Hardware Abstraction Layers (HALs), or Linux interfaces.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5 years of experience with data structures/algorithms, concurrency, memory management, and Android IPC/Binder optimization.
• 1 year of experience in a technical leadership role driving cross-functional system architecture decisions.
• Experience developing accessible technologies, assistive user experiences, or human-interface devices.
• Experience with Android Board Support Packages (BSP), Linux kernel drivers, or custom sensor integrations.