Lead Software Engineer Jobs at Google with Visa Sponsorship
Lead Software Engineer jobs at Google sit at the intersection of large-scale systems design and technical leadership, requiring deep hands-on engineering alongside the ability to drive cross-functional direction. Google has a consistent track record of sponsoring work visas for this function, supporting candidates through H-1B visa, H-1B1 visa, and E-3 visa pathways.
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INTRODUCTION
In this role, you’ll work to shape the future of AI/ML hardware acceleration. You will have an opportunity to drive cutting-edge TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) technology that powers Google's most demanding AI/ML applications. You’ll be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's TPU. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide, and leverage your design and verification expertise to verify complex digital designs, with a specific focus on TPU architecture and its integration within AI/ML-driven systems.
In this role, you will be working on ASIC development, validation, software, tools, and methodologies and will have the ability to push the boundaries of chip-development and hardware/software integration and validation. You will own cross-functional work streams focussed on end-to-end HW/SW integration and validation to demonstrate HW, SW, and system functionality and performance. You will help the chip team accomplish key silicon development criteria, meet chip and system schedules and achieve readiness for production in various silicon and system validation environments. You will serve as a key bridge between specification, design, and verification teams as well as compiler and performance teams with technical depth and breadth across the ML compute IP. As a lead, you will own strategy, planning, validating, and delivering hardware and software systems which are shown to be functional and performant. You will be responsible for coordination, debug, and enablement of the platform.
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.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $192000 - $279000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + bonus + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 8 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: computer architecture, embedded firmware, ASIC design or verification, integration and enablement of first or third-party IPs.
- Experience in hardware/software integration including developing and debugging firmware.
- Experience with RTL development design or design verification (DV).
- Experience leading a cross-functional team of digital systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Computer Science, with an emphasis on computer architecture.
- 5 years of experience with C++/Python software design principles.
- Experience developing firmware for embedded systems or accelerators.
- Experience as a tech lead integrating hardware/software systems in accelerators.
- Proficiency in debugging firmware using simulation tools or working knowledge of RTOS internals.
Responsibilities
- Lead hardware, software, and system integration for custom silicon, bridging architecture, design, and compiler teams to ensure platform delivery.
- Own functional and performance validation requirements, ensuring successful demonstration across tape-out and post-silicon phases.
- Drive ML compute feature bring-up by integrating first and third-party IPs and developing hardware-validating firmware.
- Execute HW-SW co-simulation strategies utilizing RTL simulation, emulation, and FPGA environments to streamline silicon validation.
- Design microbenchmarks and detailed validation plans based on cross-functional design specifications to verify IP functionality and performance.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Lead Software Engineer Jobs at Google
Frame your technical scope at scale
Google's hiring bar for Lead Software Engineers centers on distributed systems experience and demonstrated ownership of high-traffic infrastructure. Quantify the scale of systems you've owned, teams you've influenced, and incidents you've resolved before your interview loop.
Target teams with active LCA filings
Search the DOL's OFLC disclosure data for Google LCA filings under 'Lead Software Engineer' to identify which business units file most consistently. Teams like Google Cloud, Search, and Ads infrastructure tend to have the most active sponsorship pipelines.
Clarify your visa category early in the process
Google sponsors H-1B, H-1B1 visa, and E-3 visas for this role. If you're Australian or a Chilean or Singapore national, confirm your eligibility for E-3 or H-1B1 with your recruiter before the offer stage, since these cap-exempt categories move faster than H-1B cap filings.
Prepare your specialty occupation documentation now
USCIS scrutinizes Lead Software Engineer petitions for specialty occupation compliance. Gather your degree transcripts, any advanced credentials in computer science or a related field, and a detailed role description that ties your responsibilities directly to that specialized knowledge before your start date.
Align your timeline with the H-1B cap calendar
If you need a cap-subject H-1B, Google must register you in the USCIS lottery in March for an October 1 start. Build that constraint into your offer negotiation so your provisional start date doesn't conflict with the cap filing window.
Use Migrate Mate to find open roles that match your visa type
Lead Software Engineer openings at Google are posted across multiple hiring surfaces and don't always surface visa sponsorship details upfront. Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for Google roles that align with your visa category so you apply to positions already cleared for sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google sponsor H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineers?
Yes, Google sponsors H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineers. Google participates in the annual H-1B cap lottery each March and also files cap-exempt petitions where applicable. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards given its requirement for a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, software engineering, or a directly related field.
Which visa types does Google commonly sponsor for Lead Software Engineers?
Google sponsors H-1B, H-1B1 visa, and E-3 visas for Lead Software Engineer roles. H-1B applies to most nationalities, H-1B1 is available to Chilean and Singaporean nationals, and E-3 is exclusive to Australian citizens. All three require a certified Labor Condition Application from DOL before USCIS can approve the petition or before you apply at a U.S. consulate.
What qualifications does Google expect for a Lead Software Engineer role?
Google typically expects a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related discipline, along with substantial experience designing and shipping large-scale distributed systems. Lead-level candidates are evaluated on technical depth in areas like infrastructure reliability, systems architecture, and cross-team technical leadership, alongside coding ability assessed through Google's structured interview process.
How do I apply for Lead Software Engineer jobs at Google?
You can apply directly through Google's careers site or find roles filtered by visa sponsorship eligibility on Migrate Mate. Google's interview process for Lead Software Engineers typically includes a recruiter screen, technical phone screens, and a multi-round onsite covering algorithms, systems design, and leadership. Preparing specifically for Google's distributed systems design rounds gives you the strongest signal for lead-level consideration.
How do I plan my timeline if I need visa sponsorship for a Google Lead Software Engineer offer?
Your timeline depends on which visa applies to you. E-3 and H-1B1 visa petitions can be filed year-round and typically move faster than cap-subject H-1B filings. For H-1B, Google must enter the USCIS lottery in March, with employment starting no earlier than October 1 of that year. Start your job search at least six to nine months before your target start date to account for the lottery and petition processing windows.