Staff Storage Software Engineer, Solid State Drive Performance

Google's software engineers 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 engineers 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 engineer, 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 engineers 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.

Platforms Storage is responsible for building storage solutions for all of Google's services. The Solid State Drive Performance (SSD) Performance team in particular is responsible for everything related to SSD system-level performance, from requirements (concept stage) to post-deployment. This includes verifying, optimizing, testing, infrastructure-development, debugging, and monitoring of our SSDs' performance. We also develop novel technologies that deliver differentiating performance from our devices in Search, Cloud, and D use-cases. We develop and extend storage drivers, firmware, tools, and performance-analytics. We work closely with both our SSD vendors and our SSD users. The impact is huge, as this work sets the foundation for consistent and performant storage devices for Google for the multitude of our use-cases.

The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.

We're the driving channel behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $207,000-$300,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of large-scale software solutions, including kernel storage stacks, Linux drivers, firmware, and user-space interfaces optimized for flash performance, security, and capacity.
• Drive end-to-end storage system performance optimization and management, including the development of software tools and utilities for deployment and system-level control.
• Provide technical leadership on high-impact projects, setting technical direction and facilitating alignment on goals and timelines across cross-functional teams.
• Influence, coach, and mentor a distributed team of engineers while managing project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Innovate in systems software and firmware for flash and non-volatile memory to enhance Google's storage infrastructure.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience in software development.
• 5 years of experience testing, and launching software products.
• 5 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience in kernel/firmware development and full-lifecycle software engineering including testing, debugging, and deployment in C and C++.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.
• 3 years of experience working in a complex, matrixed organization involving cross-functional, or cross-business projects.
  
• Experience with performance analysis, optimization, and monitoring infrastructure, with proficiency in Python and SQL for systems software development.
• Knowledge of storage systems, including Solid-State Drives (SSD), kernel drivers, Linux Kernel Storage Input/Output stack, and storage protocols such as NVMe, SATA, ATA, and SAS.