Staff Software Developer, Embedded Systems/Firmware – Google – Waterloo, ON

Google’s Waterloo office is home to some of the most ambitious engineering work happening anywhere in the world — and right now, they’re looking for a Staff Software Developer, Embedded Systems/Firmware to lead a team at the frontier of wearable computing and augmented reality. This is a senior technical leadership role that puts you squarely at the intersection of hardware and software, shaping the next generation of Glasses platform architecture.

This isn’t a role where you simply manage a backlog. You’ll be driving technical direction, reducing ambiguity, and making meaningful individual contributions alongside the team. From defining multi-quarter roadmaps to reviewing critical-path code, you’ll influence the long-term embedded systems architecture while mentoring the developers around you to grow in their own careers.

About the Role: Staff Software Developer, Embedded Systems/Firmware

As a Staff Software Developer on the Google Augmented Reality team, you’ll lead a group of embedded developers in Waterloo working on resource-constrained, multi-processor Android and MCU-based platforms. Your work will directly shape how immersive computing experiences come to life — from bootloaders and hardware abstraction layers to system stability across complex multi-chip environments. This is a high-impact role with broad technical scope and real influence over product direction.

Collaboration is central to this position. You’ll partner closely with Hardware, Product, and UX cross-functional teams to align software outcomes with broader XR organizational goals. You’ll foster a culture of psychological safety, technical excellence, and continuous learning, while also contributing individually by writing code, reviewing designs, and executing data-driven platform optimizations.

Benefits and Salary

Google offers a highly competitive compensation package for this role. The 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 include a wide range of perks and programmes — visit Google’s benefits page for full details.

Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll be responsible for both technical execution and team leadership at a high level. Your day-to-day spans everything from architecting long-term roadmaps to hands-on code contributions — all in the context of building cutting-edge embedded systems for wearable AR hardware. These responsibilities require someone comfortable operating across the full stack of embedded development while also guiding a team toward shared technical goals.

• Define roadmaps spanning multiple quarters and partner with cross-functional leads in Hardware, Product, and UX to align software outcomes with broader XR organizational goals
• Lead hardware bring-up of multiprocessor MCU and SoC-based reference platforms, owning end-to-end delivery measured through system stability milestones
• Develop and maintain bootloaders, hardware abstraction layers (HALs), and drivers for core components including chargers, fuel gauges, touchpads, and environmental sensors
• Manage a team of embedded developers, building a strong culture of psychological safety, technical excellence, and continuous growth
• Contribute individually by creating and reviewing system designs, writing critical-path code, and executing data-driven platform optimizations
• Clarify technical direction across the team to reduce ambiguity and influence the long-term architecture of the Glasses platform

Requirements / Skills

Google is looking for a candidate who combines deep embedded systems expertise with proven experience leading technical teams. The ideal person brings both strong hands-on engineering instincts and the leadership qualities needed to guide developers through complex, ambiguous problem spaces in a fast-moving environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent practical experience
• 8+ years of software development experience, with a strong foundation in systems-level work
• 3+ years working with embedded operating systems in a professional setting
• 3+ years in a technical leadership role, driving architecture and engineering direction
• 2+ years in a people management or team leadership role, with experience mentoring and growing developers
• Proficiency in C or C++ (preferred), given the embedded systems context of this role
• Knowledge of Android platform development or MCU RTOS systems is a strong asset
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across Hardware, Product, and UX teams
• Problem-solving and project management skills with a track record of driving results in complex technical environments

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official Google Careers posting using the link below. Ensure your resume is current and clearly reflects your embedded systems and technical leadership experience before submitting.

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