Google – Software Engineer, PhD, Early Career (2026)

Job Description:
Google is inviting applications from highly accomplished PhD graduates to join as Software Engineers (Early Career, 2026) — an opportunity to work on transformative technologies that redefine how billions of users experience the internet. At Google, software engineers are not just coders; they are innovators and researchers who design scalable systems, develop advanced algorithms, and integrate AI and ML to solve global-scale challenges. This role empowers you to work on projects that span cloud computing, data infrastructure, security, and distributed systems — all of which underpin Google’s core products like Search, YouTube, and Cloud.

In this position, you’ll apply your PhD-level expertise in computer science, distributed systems, AI/ML, or related areas to design next-generation architectures that enable speed, reliability, and intelligence across Google’s ecosystem. You’ll work within small, cross-functional teams that emphasize creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence. Expect to define and drive technical goals, implement robust solutions, and continuously optimize systems for performance and scalability. Every contribution you make will have a measurable impact — from accelerating ML pipelines to enhancing security frameworks or refining Google’s global data infrastructure.

As a Software Engineer within Google’s AI and Infrastructure (AI2) organization, you’ll play a key role in pioneering innovations that power Google Cloud and core services. Your research background will enable you to approach complex problems with a scientific mindset — designing experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings where applicable. Whether your passion lies in distributed systems, AI/ML, or large-scale architecture, you’ll have the freedom to innovate and the platform to see your work deployed at a global level. Google’s dynamic culture encourages intellectual curiosity, professional growth, and technical leadership, ensuring you evolve alongside cutting-edge technologies.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Define, architect, and implement large-scale, distributed software systems capable of handling billions of requests with optimal reliability and latency.

• Apply research-based expertise to design innovative algorithms, improve performance, and enable real-time data processing across global infrastructures.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams — including AI researchers, system architects, and data engineers — to build integrated and scalable solutions.

• Conduct rigorous analysis of system performance, diagnose complex issues, and implement long-term resolutions through data-driven problem-solving.

• Write high-quality, maintainable, and testable code in languages such as C++, Python, Java, or Go, adhering to Google’s best practices.

• Drive technical direction for next-generation systems, ensuring efficiency, security, and scalability remain central to design decisions.

• Contribute to experimental or production-grade implementations in areas like AI, ML infrastructure, compilers, or cloud systems.

• Publish technical papers or internal documentation that advance the understanding of distributed systems and AI infrastructure at scale.

• Collaborate in code reviews, mentor peers, and contribute to open discussions around architectural trade-offs and optimizations.

• Champion Google’s core engineering values — innovation, inclusivity, and technical excellence — in every aspect of project execution.

Requirements & Eligibility:

• PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline from a recognized institution.

• Solid foundation in software development, particularly in distributed systems, AI/ML frameworks, data storage, networking, or system security.

• Strong understanding of concurrency, synchronization, and complexity analysis, with proven experience designing scalable architectures.

• Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as C, C++, Python, Java, or Golang, combined with strong software engineering principles.

• Familiarity with modern tools and frameworks for building distributed or AI-driven applications; research experience in relevant domains is a plus.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to translate theoretical concepts into practical, production-grade systems.

• Proven track record of publishing in top-tier conferences or journals (e.g., ACL, KDD, SOSP, NeurIPS, Nature) or contributing to impactful open-source projects.

• Strong analytical mindset with proficiency in system profiling, performance tuning, and optimization techniques.

• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively in fast-paced, multidisciplinary teams while maintaining ownership of complex technical challenges.

• Availability to commence a full-time position in 2026, with enthusiasm for continuous learning, innovation, and cross-domain impact.

Expected Salary:
For early-career PhD-level Software Engineers at Google in India (Bengaluru/Hyderabad), compensation typically ranges between ₹40 LPA to ₹70 LPA, depending on research background, specialization, and prior experience. In addition to base pay, Google offers generous annual bonuses, equity grants, and benefits such as health coverage, learning budgets, and relocation assistance. The total rewards package reflects Google’s commitment to attracting world-class talent and supporting long-term career growth in engineering research and development.

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