Staff Software Developer, Embedded Systems/Firmware

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Google utilizes AI tools to assist in assessing candidates in our hiring processes. Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent practical experience. 8 years of experience in software development. 3 years of experience with embedded operating systems. 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role. 2 years of experience in a people management or team leadership role. Preferred qualifications: Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field. Proficiency in C or C++. Knowledge of Android platform development or Microcontroller Unit (MCU) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) systems. Excellent communication and people management skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and project management skills with the ability to drive results. About The Job Google's software developers 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 software developers 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 developer, 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 software developers 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. With your technical expertise you will manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables. You will design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance software solutions. As a Staff Software Developer for this team, you will sit at the intersection of hardware and software, defining how the next generation of wearable computing comes to life. Leading a team of embedded developers in Waterloo, you will solve ambitious technical challenges on resource-constrained, multi-processor Android and MCU-based platforms. You will just manage a team; you will "reduce chaos" by clarifying technical direction and influencing the long-term architecture of the Glasses platform. In this role, you will balance deep technical contributions with the growth and career development of your developers. The Google Augmented Reality team is a group of experts tasked with building the foundations for great immersive computing and building helpful, delightful user experiences. We're focused on making immersive computing accessible to billions of people through mobile devices, and our scope continues to grow and evolve.Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Canada: $216000 - $222000 (CAD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits Responsibilities Learn more about benefits at Google . Define multi-quarter technical roadmaps and partner with cross-functional leads (Hardware, Product, UX) to align software outcomes with broader XR organizational goals. Lead the bring-up of multiprocessor MCU and SoC-based hardware reference platforms, owning end-to-end delivery measured through system stability milestones. Lead development and maintenance of bootloaders, hardware abstraction layers (HALs), and drivers for core components like chargers, fuel gauges, touchpads, and environmental sensors. Manage a team of embedded developers, fostering a strong developing culture of psychological safety, technical excellence, and continuous growth. Make significant individual contributions by creating/reviewing designs, writing critical-path code, and executing data-driven optimizations to the platform. Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .

Lead a team of embedded developers to define technical roadmaps and influence the long-term architecture of the Glasses platform. You will manage the development of bootloaders, drivers, and hardware abstraction layers while contributing high-level code and optimizing platform performance.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree and at least 8 years of software development experience, including 3 years in embedded systems and 2 years in people management. Proficiency in C/C++ and experience with Android or RTOS is highly preferred.

• Bonus • Equity

• Project managementPreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• C
• C++
• Embedded Systems
• Firmware Development
• Embedded Operating Systems
• Technical Leadership
• People Management
• Android Platform Development
• Microcontroller Unit
• Real-Time Operating System
• Hardware Abstraction Layers
• Bootloaders
• Drivers
• Project Management
• System Design
• Software Development

• Software
• Engineering
• Technology
• Management & Leadership

Minimum education

Bachelor’s degree

Minimum experience

10+ years

Apply by

Aug 20, 2026

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Seniority

Not Applicable