Software Engineer III, Infrastructure, Google Cloud Compute

Google
Full_timeβ€’$141k-202k/year (USD)β€’Seattle, United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

  • Job Title: Software Engineer III, Infrastructure, Google Cloud Compute
  • Company: Google
  • Location: Seattle, WA, United States
  • Job Type: On-site
  • Category: Infrastructure Engineer
  • Date Posted: June 18, 2025
  • Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
  • Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • Key Responsibilities: Design, develop, and maintain large-scale infrastructure and distributed systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system reliability and performance. Debug and resolve issues in complex systems.
  • Key Technologies: Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Distributed Systems, Cloud Computing, Large-scale Infrastructure, Networking, Data Storage, Hardware Architecture.
  • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role focuses on Google Cloud Compute infrastructure, emphasizing hands-on experience with GCP services and large-scale system design.

πŸ’» Primary Responsibilities

  • πŸš€ System Design & Development: Design, develop, and maintain large-scale infrastructure and distributed systems using Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system reliability, performance, and scalability.
  • πŸ”§ Debugging & Troubleshooting: Triage product or system issues, analyze the sources of issues, and resolve them by debugging and tracking their impact on hardware, network, or service operations and quality.
  • πŸ“ Code Reviews & Documentation: Participate in design reviews with peers and stakeholders to decide amongst available technologies. Review code developed by other developers and provide feedback to ensure best practices. Contribute to existing documentation or educational content and adapt it based on product/program updates and user feedback.
  • πŸ”’ System Health & Security: Ensure system health, diagnose and resolve issues, and maintain software test engineering practices. Contribute to the development of accessible technologies.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience. A Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical fields is preferred.

Experience: 2 years of experience with software development in one or more programming languages (C, C++, Python, or Go), or 1 year of experience with an advanced degree. 2 years of experience with data structures or algorithms in either an academic or industry setting. 2 years of experience with developing large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems, or networks, or experience with cloud computing technologies, storage, or hardware architecture.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency in software development using relevant programming languages.
  • Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms.
  • Experience with large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems, or networks.
  • Familiarity with cloud computing technologies and GCP services.
  • Ability to analyze and optimize system performance.
  • Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with performance analysis, large-scale systems data analysis, and visualization tools.
  • Proficiency in system health, diagnosis, and resolution.
  • Experience developing accessible technologies.
  • Familiarity with software test engineering practices.

πŸ“Š Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

  • Portfolio Essentials:

    • Demonstrate experience with large-scale infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies.
    • Showcase problem-solving skills through case studies of system issues diagnosed and resolved.
    • Highlight proficiency in software development using relevant programming languages and data structures.
    • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Include live demos or screenshots of projects that showcase your understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and infrastructure management.
  • Technical Documentation:

    • Provide well-commented code examples and documentation that demonstrate your understanding of system architecture and design principles.
    • Include case studies or blog posts that detail your approach to debugging and resolving complex system issues.
    • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Highlight any experience with accessibility standards and best practices in your portfolio.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The US base salary range for this full-time position is $141,000 - $202,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Benefits:

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Google operates in the technology industry, with a focus on search, advertising, and cloud computing services. This role is part of the Technical Infrastructure team, which keeps Google's products running and enables digital transformation for customers worldwide.

Company Size: Google is a large organization with over 135,000 employees globally. This size offers opportunities for collaboration, growth, and exposure to diverse projects and teams.

Founded: Google was founded in 1998 and has since grown into a multinational technology company that provides a wide range of internet-related services and products.

Team Structure:

  • The Technical Infrastructure team consists of various sub-teams, each focusing on different aspects of Google's infrastructure, such as data centers, networking, and cloud platforms.
  • This role is part of the Google Cloud Compute team, which focuses on developing and maintaining Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services.
  • The team follows a collaborative and cross-functional approach, working closely with other Google teams and external stakeholders.

Development Methodology:

  • Google follows Agile methodologies for software development, with a focus on iterative development, continuous integration, and collaboration.
  • The team uses tools like Git for version control, Jenkins for CI/CD, and BigQuery for data analysis and visualization.
  • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Google's development methodology emphasizes code reviews, testing, and quality assurance to ensure the reliability and performance of its systems.

Company Website: Google Careers

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the mid-level (2-5 years) experience level, focusing on infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies. It offers opportunities for growth and specialization in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and large-scale system design.

Reporting Structure: This role reports to a Technical Lead or Engineering Manager within the Google Cloud Compute team. The team works closely with other Google teams and external stakeholders to ensure system reliability, performance, and scalability.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Google's infrastructure and cloud computing services. The work involves designing, developing, and maintaining large-scale systems that support Google's products and services, as well as enabling digital transformation for customers worldwide.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical Growth: Deepen your expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, large-scale system design, and distributed systems. Explore opportunities to specialize in specific GCP services or infrastructure areas.
  • Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills through mentoring, technical guidance, and project management opportunities. Contribute to the growth and development of your team members.
  • Architecture Decisions: Contribute to architecture decisions that shape Google's infrastructure and cloud computing services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system reliability, performance, and scalability.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Growth opportunities at Google are often tied to the company's fast-paced business growth and evolution, offering engineers the chance to switch teams and projects as they develop their careers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Google's Seattle office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity. The office features open workspaces, meeting rooms, and recreational areas that encourage team interaction and collaboration.

Office Location(s): Seattle, WA, United States

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The open workspace design encourages collaboration and communication among team members and across different teams.
  • Development Tools: Google provides its engineers with access to state-of-the-art development tools, including powerful workstations, multiple monitors, and testing devices.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: The office is designed to facilitate cross-functional collaboration between developers, designers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that everyone's voices are heard and considered in the development process.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines. Google encourages work-life balance and offers flexible work arrangements, such as part-time work and job sharing, where possible.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Google's work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on employee well-being and work-life balance.

πŸ“„ Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  • Technical Phone Screen: A 45-minute phone screen focusing on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of large-scale systems and cloud computing technologies.
  • On-site Interview: A full-day on-site interview consisting of several rounds, including coding challenges, system design discussions, and behavioral questions.
  • Final Decision: A final decision is made based on your performance in the interviews, as well as your cultural fit and alignment with Google's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For this role, focus on demonstrating your experience with large-scale infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies. Highlight any projects that showcase your understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and infrastructure management.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Familiarize yourself with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, large-scale system design principles, and distributed systems concepts. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss your approach to debugging and resolving complex system issues.

ATS Keywords: Programming languages (C, C++, Python, Go), data structures, algorithms, distributed systems, cloud computing, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), large-scale infrastructure, system design, debugging, performance optimization, accessibility standards.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role, using the provided ATS keywords where appropriate.

πŸ›  Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: N/A (This role focuses on infrastructure and backend development)

Backend & Server Technologies:

  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Services: Compute Engine, App Engine, Kubernetes Engine, Cloud Functions, Cloud Run, Cloud Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, Cloud Spanner, Bigtable, Firestore, and other GCP services.
  • Programming Languages: C, C++, Python, Go, Java, and other languages used for GCP service development and management.
  • Server Platforms: Linux, Windows Server, and other server platforms used in Google's data centers and cloud environments.

Development & DevOps Tools:

  • Version Control: Git
  • CI/CD: Jenkins, Cloud Build, and other GCP CI/CD tools.
  • Monitoring & Logging: Stackdriver Monitoring, Stackdriver Logging, and other GCP monitoring and logging tools.
  • Containerization & Orchestration: Kubernetes, Docker, and other containerization and orchestration tools.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform, Cloud Deployment Manager, and other IaC tools.
  • πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Familiarize yourself with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, as they are the primary focus of this role. Brush up on your knowledge of relevant programming languages, server platforms, and development tools used in GCP service development and management.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

  • User-centric Design: Google prioritizes user experience and accessibility in all its products and services. As an infrastructure engineer, ensure that your work supports and enhances the user experience.
  • Scalability & Performance: Google's systems must handle massive scale and traffic. Focus on designing and developing infrastructure that can scale and perform under heavy loads.
  • Reliability & Fault Tolerance: Google's systems must be reliable and fault-tolerant. Design and develop infrastructure that can withstand failures and maintain high availability.
  • Innovation & Continuous Learning: Google encourages innovation and continuous learning. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in infrastructure development and cloud computing technologies.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Google encourages collaboration and communication between different teams and disciplines. Work closely with developers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that your infrastructure supports their needs and goals.
  • Code Review Culture: Google follows a strong code review culture to ensure code quality, performance, and maintainability. Participate in code reviews and provide constructive feedback to your peers.
  • Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring: Google values knowledge sharing and mentoring. Contribute to the growth and development of your team members by sharing your expertise and providing guidance and support.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Google's team culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on user experience, scalability, and performance.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Large-scale Infrastructure Management: Design, develop, and maintain large-scale infrastructure and distributed systems that can handle massive traffic and data loads.
  • Cloud Computing Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in cloud computing technologies, and apply them to your work with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services.
  • Performance Optimization: Continuously optimize the performance of Google's infrastructure and cloud computing services to ensure that they meet the company's high standards for speed, scalability, and reliability.
  • Emerging Technologies: Stay informed about emerging technologies in infrastructure development and cloud computing, and explore opportunities to incorporate them into your work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Technical Skill Development: Deepen your expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, large-scale system design, and distributed systems. Explore opportunities to specialize in specific GCP services or infrastructure areas.
  • Conference Attendance & Certification: Google encourages its employees to attend industry conferences and obtain relevant certifications to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in their fields.
  • Technical Mentorship & Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills through mentoring, technical guidance, and project management opportunities. Contribute to the growth and development of your team members.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Google offers numerous opportunities for technical skill development, conference attendance, and certification. The company also encourages mentoring and leadership development, with a strong focus on employee growth and career progression.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  • System Design: Prepare for system design questions that focus on large-scale infrastructure, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies. Brush up on your knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and their architecture.
  • Coding Challenges: Familiarize yourself with coding challenges that focus on data structures, algorithms, and system design. Practice solving problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Exercism.
  • Debugging & Troubleshooting: Prepare for questions that focus on debugging and troubleshooting techniques, as well as your approach to diagnosing and resolving complex system issues.

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Google's Mission & Values: Research Google's mission, values, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your alignment with Google's values and commitment to its mission.
  • Team Dynamics: Familiarize yourself with Google's team structure and dynamics, and prepare for questions that focus on your ability to collaborate and work effectively within a large, cross-functional organization.
  • User Experience Impact: Prepare for questions that focus on your understanding of user experience and how your work contributes to Google's products and services.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Live Demo: Prepare a live demo of your portfolio, showcasing your experience with large-scale infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies. Highlight any projects that demonstrate your understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and infrastructure management.
  • Code Walkthrough: Prepare a code walkthrough that demonstrates your proficiency in software development using relevant programming languages and data structures. Highlight any projects that showcase your problem-solving skills and approach to debugging and resolving complex system issues.
  • Technical Architecture: Prepare a technical architecture presentation that demonstrates your understanding of large-scale system design principles and distributed systems concepts. Highlight any projects that showcase your experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and their architecture.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Tailor your interview preparation to the specific requirements of this role, focusing on your experience with large-scale infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies. Highlight any projects that demonstrate your understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and infrastructure management.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this Software Engineer III, Infrastructure, Google Cloud Compute position:

  1. Submit your application through the Google Careers website.
  2. πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role, using the provided ATS keywords where appropriate. Focus on demonstrating your experience with large-scale infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies, as well as your understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and infrastructure management.
  3. Prepare for the technical phone screen by brushing up on your problem-solving skills and familiarizing yourself with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, large-scale system design principles, and distributed systems concepts.
  4. Prepare for the on-site interview by practicing coding challenges, system design discussions, and behavioral questions. Research Google's mission, values, and company culture, and prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your alignment with the company's values and commitment to its mission.
  5. πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Tailor your portfolio and live demo to showcase your experience with large-scale infrastructure development, distributed systems, and cloud computing technologies. Highlight any projects that demonstrate your understanding of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and infrastructure management.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, along with 2 years of software development experience in relevant programming languages. Experience with large-scale infrastructure and cloud computing technologies is also required.