Staff Software Engineer, Google Play

Role Overview

This is a senior engineering leadership position centered on Google Play Games, where the engineer will guide architecture and delivery for products that operate across a massive Android ecosystem. The role blends product strategy, system design, hands-on coding, testing, and launch execution with mentoring and cross-regional collaboration. It matters because Play Games sits at the intersection of Android gaming, Google Play, and new Gemini capabilities, and this engineer will help the Nairobi Product Development Center grow as a technical hub that ships high-impact work.

Key Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for several Play Games products, partnering with engineering management and cross-functional groups on architecture decisions and long-term product health.
• Drive the full lifecycle of complex, multi-year features: shape product strategy, clarify requirements, contribute to system design, write production code, build tests, and launch across a fleet of more than three billion devices.
• Integrate new Gemini advances into Google Play products to improve user experiences and expand product capabilities.
• Mentor junior engineers, provide technical guidance, review designs and code, and help teammates grow while solving ambitious engineering problems.
• Build collaborative relationships with Play teams in the United States, United Kingdom, and India while supporting the growth of the Nairobi Product Development Center.
• Demonstrate AI fluency by using AI tools effectively in engineering work and discussing that knowledge during the hiring process.
• Contribute to cross-functional and cross-business projects within a matrixed organization.

Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, or comparable practical experience.
• Eight years of software development experience.
• Five years of experience testing and launching software products.
• Three years of experience with software design and architecture.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Eight years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
• Three years in a technical leadership role, including leading project teams and setting technical direction.
• Three years of experience in a matrixed organization involving cross-functional or cross-business projects.
• Experience with Google's Java Android stack, Google's Java server environment, GMSCore, and Android native development.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is an opportunity to join a highly collaborative team during a pivotal moment for the Android gaming business. The team has built a scrappy, action-oriented culture and a record of taking on high-profile projects that deliver major business impact. The role also provides a platform for technical leadership and mentorship while helping grow the Nairobi Product Development Center and connecting with Play teams across the US, UK, and India.