Principal Software Engineer, Cloud AI Security and Compliance

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on security, distributed systems, or cloud infrastructure.
• Experience in a technical leadership role.
• Experience with security architecture and design for software systems.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, particularly Vertex AI.
• Understanding of AI/ML model lifecycles.
• Ability to architect and guide the implementation of robust security controls and features for Cloud AI platforms, including areas like Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) deployments.
• Demonstrated expertise in achieving and maintaining compliance certifications such as FedRamp, ILx, SOC2, ISO27001, or HIPAA.

About the job

As a Principal Software Engineer on the Cloud AI team, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring our AI platforms and solutions are built and operated with the highest standards of security, privacy, compliance, and trust. This is a highly strategic and impactful role, where you will define and drive the security posture for Cloud AI services, especially for our most sensitive and regulated customers, including the public sector. You will work extensively with cross-functional teams across Google Cloud, Core, and other Alphabet organizations to proactively address unique and evolving security risks in the AI landscape.

Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $294,000-$414,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition and execution of the security and compliance strategy for Google Cloud AI platforms and services, including Vertex AI, Generative AI (Gemini models), and emerging agent-based AI systems (e.g., Agentspace, Orcas).
• Lead efforts to achieve and maintain critical compliance certifications and accreditations (e.g., FedRamp High, IL5) for Cloud AI services, particularly for public sector and regulated industry use cases.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional working groups (e.g., Cloud AI Security Working Group) to address complex security challenges spanning multiple product areas and organizational boundaries (Cloud, Core, SRE, Privacy, Legal, CISO).
• Be able to co-author strategic assessments, recommendations, and whitepapers on AI security and compliance for senior leadership and external stakeholders.