Staff Software Engineer, Android Growth Systems and App Foundations

Staff Software Engineer, Android Growth Systems and App Foundations Overview

This role sits within Google’s engineering organization and focuses on Android growth systems and app foundations. The work is centered on building and improving large-scale software that supports Google’s products and user experiences, with an emphasis on Android development, technical leadership, and cross-team execution. The posting describes the position as one for an experienced engineer who can handle ambiguous problems, make decisions with strong ownership, and influence stakeholders while helping shape outcomes across a distributed team.

What you will do

• Take technical ownership of major initiatives that have significant impact.
• Guide, coach, and influence engineers working across different locations or functions.
• Bring clarity to shared goals, expected results, and delivery schedules so teams stay aligned.
• Plan and manage work by setting priorities, tracking deadlines, and ensuring commitments are delivered.
• Design, build, test, deploy, maintain, and continuously improve software systems at large scale.

Experience and qualifications

• You should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• You need at least 8 years of professional software development experience.
• You need at least 5 years of experience testing software and shipping products to production.
• You need at least 5 years of experience developing Android applications.
• You need at least 3 years of experience in software design and architecture.
• The role is aimed at someone with deep expertise in their domain and a track record of owning outcomes and making decisions.

Preferred background

• A master’s degree or PhD in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field is preferred.
• Experience with data structures and algorithms over 8 years is preferred.
• Experience leading technical work for at least 3 years, including directing project teams and setting technical direction, is preferred.
• Experience working for at least 3 years in a complex organization with multiple teams, functions, or business areas is preferred.
• Hands-on familiarity with modern Android development practices and tools, including Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and Material Design, is preferred.

Team and product context

The posting explains that Google engineers work on technologies used by billions of people and that the company expects engineers to contribute ideas from a wide range of areas such as distributed systems, large-scale architecture, networking, storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, user interface design, and mobile development. It also notes that engineers may move between projects as the business changes. The description specifically connects the role to Google Search and its mission to make information accessible and useful everywhere, highlighting the scale and impact of the work.

Additional expectations

• You should be versatile and ready to take on new technical challenges across the stack.
• You should demonstrate leadership qualities and be comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.
• You should be able to collaborate effectively in English, since English proficiency is required unless the posting says otherwise.

Other information from the posting

Google states that it is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and that it is committed to building a workforce that reflects its users and supports a culture of belonging. The company says applicants can request accommodations if needed. It also notes that it does not accept agency resumes and will not pay fees for unsolicited resumes. The posting includes standard privacy, equity, and stock-grant language: information submitted through Google Careers is subject to Google’s Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy, and any equity awards are discretionary, governed by Alphabet’s stock plan and grant agreement, and not guaranteed.

The role is listed for London, UK. The page does not describe a remote or hybrid arrangement, so the working pattern is presented as an onsite London position.

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s

Visa Sponsorship Promising