About the job

Like Google's own ambitions, the work of a Software Engineer goes beyond just Search. Software Engineering Managers have not only the technical expertise to take on and provide technical leadership to major projects, but also manage a team of Engineers. You not only optimize your own code but make sure Engineers are able to optimize theirs. As a Software Engineering Manager you manage your project goals, contribute to product strategy and help develop your team. Teams work all across the company, in areas such as information retrieval, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking, security, data compression, user interface design; the list goes on and is growing every day. Operating with scale and speed, our exceptional software engineers are just getting started -- and as a manager, you guide the way.

With technical and leadership expertise, you manage engineers across multiple teams and locations, a large product budget and oversee the deployment of large-scale projects across multiple sites internationally.

The Physical Automation team is responsible for Google's core platform for integrating, controlling, and sustaining robotic systems within our data centers. It enables the automation of physical tasks, such as disk swaps, by translating business needs into actionable robot missions. We focus on providing a software infrastructure to accelerate robot development, deployment, and maintenance, supporting the efficient growth and management of the robotics fleet and driving down integration costs. The team is also enabling the use of AI models to enhance robot learning and accuracy, and agentic AI assistants to improve the efficiency of maintaining the robot fleet by operations teams.

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 force 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 $197,000-$291,000 + 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

• Set clear expectations with individuals based on their level and role and aligned to the broader organization's goals. Meet regularly with individuals to discuss performance and development and provide feedback and coaching.

• Develop the mid-term technical goal and roadmap within the scope of the team. Evolve the roadmap to meet anticipated future requirements and infrastructure needs.

• Design, guide and vet systems designs within the scope of physical automation infrastructure, such as telemetry pipelines, AI/ML integration, tele-operation, and mission planning and execution.

• Work at Google data centers periodically to interact with users and observe the robots in use.

• Set and communicate team priorities that support the broader organization's goals. Align strategy, processes, and decision-making across teams.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent practical experience.

• 8 years of experience in software development.

• 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role.

• 2 years of experience in a people management or team leadership role.

• Experience with project management and distributed systems.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical fields.

• 3 years of experience working in a complex organization.

• Experience working in robotics.