Principal Scientist, Cloud AI Research

Google•Sunnyvale, CA

9h•$307,000 - $427,000

About The Position

As Principal Scientist, you will serve as the recognized technical leader within strategic research areas and drive the current and future research roadmap for agentic AI platforms and design. You will set priorities for research into agentic platforms and maintain a portfolio of projects spanning product innovation, fundamental research, and infrastructure goals. You will lead large-scale efforts by identifying future work, challenging traditional approaches, and combining assets from different research areas to guide Google toward new product and technology directions. By bridging advanced research and product development, you will help develop high-impact vertical agents, such as planners, forecasters, and engineers, as well as horizontal agents that scale enterprise efficiency. The AI and Infrastructure team delivers AI and infrastructure capabilities to Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and Google users worldwide, supporting AI models, computing, developer platforms, and hyperscale systems. The position offers a US salary range of $307,000–$427,000, a 30% bonus target, equity, and benefits. Individual pay depends on job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Requirements

PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
15 years of experience with research agendas across multiple teams or projects.
Experience in agentic AI systems and platforms.
Authored or co-authored multiple publications in systems research venues.
Communication and leadership skills to influence technical leaders across the company.

Nice To Haves

20 years of research and engineering experience, with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Multidisciplinary experience leading both product and engineering or research/applied science.
Ability to ramp up quickly in new subject areas with short notice to guide mission-critical research into the largest potential risks related to Google infrastructure usage.
Credibility within the AI research community and ability to influence external thought leaders and advocate for Google.

Responsibilities

Follow research trends in agentic AI to determine the group’s research and innovation strategy.
Drive research to overcome challenges such as context-rot and massive token costs in complex, multi-day agent tasks.
Work with Infrastructure teams, Research/GDM teams, and customers to improve adoption, partnering most closely with Google DeepMind and Vertex AI.
Lead development of high-impact vertical agents, such as forecasting, planning, and design agents, and horizontal agents intended to accelerate research and product development.
Provide technical direction, management, and mentorship to a small, senior research team.
Attract top research talent to Google and Google Cloud.