Senior Software Developer, Computer Vision, XR – Google – Waterloo, ON
Google’s XR team is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at the intersection of artificial intelligence and extended reality. If you’re a seasoned engineer with deep expertise in Computer Vision and a passion for building the next wave of computing experiences, this Senior Software Developer, Computer Vision, XR role based in Waterloo, ON (with an option for San Jose, CA) could be the right next step in your career.
This position sits at the heart of Google’s vision for XR devices — from smart glasses to headsets — where geometric sensing and machine learning come together to deliver deeply contextual, AI-powered experiences. You’ll be working on real problems at massive scale, with the opportunity to shape how people interact with the world around them.
About the Role: Senior Software Developer, Computer Vision, XR
As a Senior Software Developer on the XR team, you’ll take ownership of developing and deploying geometric sensing capabilities across a range of XR products. Your work will directly power experiences like 3D reconstruction, scene understanding, passthrough, and content placement — the foundational technologies that make spatial computing feel real. You’ll also be responsible for managing project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables, while designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining software solutions.
Collaboration is central to this role. You’ll work closely with system owners to define roadmaps for XR geometric sensing endpoints and contribute to scaling ML infrastructure across a growing ecosystem of devices and use cases. Google is looking for engineers who are versatile, show genuine technical leadership, and are eager to tackle new challenges across the full stack.
Benefits and Salary
Google offers a highly competitive compensation package for this role. In Canada, the salary range is $182,000 – $187,000 CAD, with an additional 15% bonus target, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. The US equivalent ranges from $174,000 – $253,000 USD with the same bonus and equity structure. Beyond the numbers, Google is known for its extensive employee benefits — visit the Google Careers page to explore the full details.
Job Details
📌 Job Type: Mid-Level, Permanent
🏢 Company: Google
📍 Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada / San Jose, CA, USA
💰 Pay: $182,000 – $187,000 CAD + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Responsibilities
In this role, you’ll be building the sensing systems that underpin Google’s XR ecosystem. The work spans from bringing up capabilities on brand-new hardware to collaborating on long-term sensing roadmaps — all in service of experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. Here’s what the day-to-day looks like:
- Develop and deploy geometric sensing capabilities across a wide range of XR products and real-world use cases
- Bring up sensing functionality on new devices and prototypes, contributing to the growth of the XR ecosystem
- Enable XR experiences by providing geometric sensing for features like 3D reconstruction, content placement, occlusion, scene understanding, and passthrough
- Collaborate with system owners to define and refine roadmaps for XR geometric sensing endpoints
- Scale impact by developing systems and processes that enable geometric sensing ML to support a diverse range of products
- Manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables with technical precision and ownership
Requirements / Skills
Google is looking for a well-rounded engineer who brings both depth in Computer Vision and breadth across software systems. The ideal candidate is comfortable navigating ambiguity, leading technical decisions, and delivering results on products that reach billions of people. Here’s what’s required:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent practical experience
- 5 years of software development experience in C++ or Python
- 3 years of experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products, plus at least 1 year focused on software design and architecture
- 3 years of Computer Vision experience — including image classification, object detection, visual search, video generation, or signal processing — with hands-on experience designing CV systems
- 3 years of ML infrastructure experience covering model deployment, evaluation, optimization, data processing, and debugging
- Experience in Augmented Reality (AR) development environments
- Preferred: Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science; 5+ years in Geometric Sensing, XR, or Robotics; 1+ year in a technical leadership role
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official Google job posting using the link below. Make sure your resume is up to date and tailored to highlight your Computer Vision and XR development experience before submitting.
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Job Summary & Tips for Applying
Quick Summary & What to Highlight: This Senior Software Developer, Computer Vision, XR role at Google in Waterloo is perfect for candidates who excel in Computer Vision systems design, C++ or Python development, and ML infrastructure. On your resume, emphasize any experience with geometric sensing, augmented reality, or XR platforms, attention to technical detail, and your ability to deliver in a fast-paced, high-scale environment. If you’ve previously worked in robotics, XR, or signal processing, make sure to highlight specific achievements and responsibilities that align with this position.
Resume & Application Tips: Before applying, tailor your resume to match the job description. Include keywords like Computer Vision, geometric sensing, and ML model deployment that appear in the posting. Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “reduced model inference latency by 30%” or “deployed CV pipeline across 5 device form factors”). Write a brief cover letter expressing your genuine interest in Google‘s XR mission and why you’re excited about this opportunity in Waterloo. Double-check your application for spelling errors and ensure your contact information is current.
Interview Preparation: If selected for an interview, research Google‘s XR initiatives, recent announcements around smart glasses and headsets, and the company’s broader AI strategy beforehand. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate your Computer Vision design and deployment skills. Common questions may include scenarios about debugging ML pipelines, scaling sensing systems, and cross-functional technical collaboration. Dress appropriately for a technology environment, arrive 10–15 minutes early (or log on early for virtual interviews), and bring copies of your resume. Prepare thoughtful questions about the XR team’s roadmap, sensing architecture decisions, and growth opportunities. After the interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours reiterating your interest in the position.