Software Developer, XR System Interaction Frameworks – Google – Kitchener, ON

At the intersection of artificial intelligence and extended reality, Google’s XR team is building the next major leap in how humans interact with technology. This Software Developer, XR System Interaction Frameworks role based in Kitchener, ON (with additional locations in San Jose and San Francisco, CA) puts you at the centre of that mission — designing and optimizing the 3D system interfaces that will power a new generation of XR devices, from smart glasses to advanced headsets.

This isn’t your typical software development role. You’ll be working on foundational interaction frameworks that shape how users navigate and engage with the core operating experience across a range of XR hardware. If you have deep experience in C++ graphics development and a passion for pushing the boundaries of spatial computing, this role offers a rare chance to leave a meaningful mark on technology that will reach billions of people.

About the Role: Software Developer, XR System Interaction Frameworks

In this mid-level engineering position, you’ll be responsible for advancing the 3D windowing and rendering systems that sit at the heart of Google’s XR platform. Your work will span both Android-based environments and lightweight embedded operating systems, requiring you to balance performance with flexibility across devices with vastly different capabilities. Day-to-day, you’ll optimize complex pipelines, define best practices, and contribute to architectural decisions that have lasting impact.

Google’s software developers are expected to be versatile and collaborative, with the leadership qualities to advocate for quality and innovation across the full stack. You’ll work alongside teams pushing the limits of mobile and embedded development, contributing to tooling and workflows that accelerate the entire team’s iteration cycle. Teamwork, technical advocacy, and a growth mindset are central to how work gets done here.

Benefits and Salary

For this role in Canada, the compensation range is $182,000 – $186,000 CAD, plus a 15% bonus target, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. Google’s benefits are well-regarded across the industry and cover health, wellness, financial planning, and more. Full details are available through Google’s careers benefits page.

Responsibilities

This role sits at the core of Google’s XR platform engineering efforts. You’ll be expected to contribute across system architecture, rendering optimization, and developer tooling, ensuring that the interaction layer feels seamless and responsive no matter what device it runs on. These responsibilities are critical to delivering a polished, scalable XR experience.

• Innovate and improve foundational system 3D interfaces and interactions for a range of XR devices with varying hardware capabilities
• Optimize complex rendering and windowing systems to deliver smooth, responsive experiences during core application navigation, input feedback, and system UI interactions
• Improve the overall architecture for 3D window management in Android and on lightweight embedded operating systems, ensuring feature flexibility and graceful degradation across devices
• Advocate and build new tools, workflows, and best practices that accelerate the team’s end-to-end iteration cycle and support rapid experimentation
• Collaborate across teams to ensure a high-quality final product that meets Google’s standards for performance and user experience

Requirements / Skills

Google is looking for a developer who combines deep technical expertise in graphics and C++ with a genuine curiosity for the emerging world of spatial computing. The ideal candidate brings not just strong fundamentals, but hands-on experience with the tools and environments that matter most for XR development.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5 years of experience with graphics development in C++
• Experience designing and implementing 3D user experiences (preferred)
• Game engine development experience with Unity or Unreal (preferred)
• Proficiency in embedded or mobile development environments (preferred)
• Applied 3D math and graphics expertise, with the ability to work at both a theoretical and practical level (preferred)

How to Apply

To apply, use the official link below to submit your application through Google’s careers portal. Make sure your resume is current and clearly reflects your experience with graphics development, C++, and any relevant XR or 3D work.

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