Staff Software Developer, Android XR System Apps – Google – Waterloo, ON

At the intersection of artificial intelligence and extended reality, Google is building something genuinely new — and they’re looking for a Staff Software Developer, Android XR System Apps to help shape it from their Waterloo, Ontario office. This is a senior technical role aimed at engineers who are ready to set direction, not just follow it.

This position sits within Google’s XR team, which is focused on the convergence of AI and extended reality devices like smart glasses and headsets. You’ll be designing and building next-generation user interfaces for wearable XR hardware — including companion apps, setup flows, settings, and calibration tools — while working closely with cross-functional teams and OEM partners.

About the Role: Staff Software Developer, Android XR System Apps

As a Staff Software Developer, you’ll own the technical direction for multiple Android XR system applications, from device companion apps and out-of-box experiences to tutorials and fit calibration tools. You’ll prototype, design, and launch user experiences that leverage spatial interactions and AI-powered multi-modal conversational interfaces, enabling users to engage with XR devices in intuitive and meaningful ways.

Beyond building, you’ll mentor developers, guide architectural decisions, and support OEM partner integrations through documentation and hands-on collaboration. Quality, testability, and on-time delivery are central expectations of this role, as is your ability to operate effectively across a complex, matrixed organization.

Benefits and Salary

Google offers a competitive compensation package for this role. The stated salary range in Canada is $216,000–$222,000 CAD, plus a 20% bonus target, equity (GSU grants), and a comprehensive benefits package. Google’s benefits are well-regarded and cover a broad range of personal and professional needs — visit their benefits page for full details.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day, this role blends hands-on software development with strategic technical leadership. You’ll be writing production code while simultaneously guiding the architectural decisions that determine how XR system apps are built and scaled. These responsibilities matter because the applications you ship will be the first touchpoint users have with Google’s next generation of wearable XR devices.

• Contribute to technical roadmaps by proposing high-value projects and validating product management direction and developer estimates
• Design, guide, and vet systems designs across mobile and XR apps, and write product or system development code to solve ambiguous technical challenges
• Ensure launches are delivered on time and at a high degree of quality by building for testability, assisting with complex issue triage, and meeting compliance launch criteria
• Mentor and empower the team to build delightful and OEM-extensible experiences through technical mentorship and architectural oversight
• Provide documentation, reference code, and direct support for OEM partner integrations
• Support UX by enabling rapid prototyping and providing developer feasibility analysis for proposed designs

Requirements / Skills

Google is looking for a seasoned developer who brings both deep technical expertise and the leadership qualities needed to set direction across teams. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in Android or iOS development, a track record of delivering complex mobile products, and comfort operating in large, collaborative organizations. Experience working at the edge of mobile and spatial computing is a significant asset.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field (Master’s or PhD in Engineering or Computer Science preferred)
• 8+ years of software development experience in Kotlin, Java, or Swift
• 5+ years of iOS or Android application development experience
• 3+ years in a technical leadership role, leading project teams and setting technical direction (preferred)
• Cross-functional collaboration experience in a complex, matrixed organization across teams or business units (preferred)
• Experience in mobile app development, spatial app or 3D game development, performance optimization, and software architecture related to the Android SDK (preferred)
• Proficiency delivering reactive framework applications such as Jetpack Compose, React, or Swift UI (preferred)
• Experience developing user interfaces at production quality and scale (preferred)

How to Apply

To apply, use the official Google Careers link below. Make sure your resume is current and reflects your most relevant Android or XR development experience before submitting.

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