Google

Staff Software Engineer, Incubation and Prototyping

Google • $207K — $300K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in experience.
  • 8 years of software development experience.
  • 5 years in testing and launching software products; 3 years in software design and architecture.
  • 5 years applying AI solutions and ML technologies in applications.
  • Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical work translating ethnographic research into AI capabilities through rapid prototyping.
  • Execute end-to-end development of applied AI concepts, managing the full development lifecycle.
  • Set technical goals for new prototypes from concept to execution while fostering experimentation.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align human needs with technological potential.
  • Own and communicate technical narratives for projects, preparing demos and documentation.

Benefits

  • Mission-driven work environment within an interdisciplinary team.
  • Connection to academia and civil society.
  • Opportunities for quick pathways to public technology implementation.
  • 20% bonus target and equity benefits.
Full Job Description
info_outline
X In most instances, this position requires in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.

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, and 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
  • 5 years of experience in applying AI solutions and ML-related technologies in consumer or enterprise applications.
  • Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role leading project teams and setting technical direction.
  • Experience navigating ambiguous problem spaces and delivering technical prototypes or proofs-of-concept.
  • Experience integrating the latest artificial intelligence capabilities and vibe coding tools into engineering practices.
  • Experience working at the intersection of technology and social systems, such as governance, health, or economic insecurity.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical complexity into compelling narratives for non-technical stakeholders.


About the job

Jigsaw is an incubator within Google that builds technologies to give people greater agency in the world around them. Across the globe, we're more connected than ever before, to information and to each other, yet many of us feel disconnected from the decisions and systems that affect our lives. We believe that AI can bridge this divide between the desire to shape our world and the ability to do so.

Jigsaw offers mission-driven work within a nimble interdisciplinary team, connections to academia and civil society, and a quick path to taking technology public.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) 20% bonus target equity benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

Responsibilities
  • Lead technical work to translate ethnographic research into proven AI capabilities through rapid prototyping, cross-functional collaboration, and iterative feedback.
  • Execute the end-to-end development of applied AI concepts, navigating the development lifecycle from exploration to guiding handoffs for replication.
  • Set the technical goals for new proofs-of-concept from 0-to-1, guiding a small team and fostering a culture of rapid experimentation and technical excellence.
  • Collaborate iteratively with researchers, designers, product managers, and external partners to bridge the gap between human needs and technological capabilities.
  • Own the technical narrative for proofs-of-concept by preparing demos and technical documentation that inspire leadership and external partners.


About Google

Google is a multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products. These include online advertising technologies, search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Google was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. The company has grown tremendously since then and has become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Learn more about Google
Size
156,500 employees
Market Cap
$1,115.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$40.2 billion
Founded
1998
5 Year Trend
+23.3%
Revenue
$182.5 billion
NASDAQ

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