Google is seeking PhD-level Software Engineers for its Persistent Disk team, focusing on early-career professionals to join in 2026. This role is integral to developing next-generation storage technologies. As a key member of a versatile team, you will design, test, deploy, and maintain sophisticated software solutions. The AI and Infrastructure (AI2) organization within Google Cloud is at the forefront of AI/ML capabilities, managing the software, hardware, and ML systems infrastructure for essential Google services and products.

Your specialized research expertise will be critical in solving complex, real-world problems at an unprecedented scale within AI2. You will contribute to innovative projects across AI/ML, networking, data storage, security, and distributed systems. This team is dedicated to empowering Google customers with breakthrough capabilities by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability, and velocity.

We are the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, fueling the development of cutting-edge AI models, providing immense computing power to global services, and building essential platforms for future development. Our teams shape the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with significant work in TPUs, Vertex AI, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, and systems research.

Drive research initiatives to explore next-generation storage architectures, prototype novel backup/replication algorithms, and evaluate emerging technologies.

Improve the reliability, scale, and performance of backup and replication solutions while maintaining healthy release cycles.

Collaborate closely with partners and internal stakeholders to translate complex engineering and research efforts into enhanced customer satisfaction and tangible business growth.

A PhD degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field is required.

Demonstrated experience in the research and development of data storage, backup, or disaster recovery technologies is essential. This includes experience conducting research on storage systems and publishing findings.

Expertise in the architecture or development of distributed systems, covering areas like concurrency, multi-threading, or synchronization, is necessary. Proficiency in coding using languages such as C, C++, Python, Java, or Golang is also required.

Preferred qualifications include experience with data management tools and technologies, contributing to research communities with conference publications, and expertise in designing and implementing complex systems. Proficiency in performance analysis or systems data analysis, along with excellent engineering capabilities, is highly valued. Candidates must be available to commence a full-time position in 2026. In-person interviews are typically part of the hiring process for this role.