Tech Lead, Google Kubernetes Engine AI Platform at Google
Kirkland, WA
$207,000–$301,000from the description
Jul 21, 2026
Kirkland, WA
Jul 23, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A technical lead role focused on the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of Google Kubernetes Engine's AI/ML infrastructure, including GPU and TPU workloads. The position involves setting technical direction for AI/ML workload optimization, identifying gaps across the GKE and GCE stack, and working directly with large enterprise customers. It suits an experienced software engineer with a strong background in distributed systems, cloud computing, and AI infrastructure.
Senior level · 8+ years · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · Full-time
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
Posted 3 times — it's one opening, so apply once.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Roughly 1,350 people in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area plausibly meet what this posting asks for (software developers). range 1,000–2,100
Applicant volume Moderate — A normal amount of company. The rare requirements below are what will separate a shortlisted application from the rest.
What the occupation pays Median $170,959 (middle half $135,720–$216,519). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (8)
The title 'Tech Lead' carries no standard seniority level word, so the title states no level; however, the scope (driving technical direction for a major GKE AI/ML platform, engaging enterprise customers, leading team culture) and the 8-year minimum experience requirement support a Senior classification.
An alt SOC of 11-3021 (Computer and Information Systems Managers) is noted because the 'Tech Lead' framing includes influencing stakeholders, shaping team culture, and setting technical direction — but the role is primarily hands-on engineering (reliability, efficiency, scale of GKE AI/ML infra), so 15-1252 is the primary classification.
The minimum qualifications accept 'equivalent practical experience' in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, so the degree requirement is set to None.
The 5-year requirement for 'cloud computing and building operating systems' is listed as a single gate in the minimum qualifications; cloud computing is captured as the primary skill.
Kubernetes is explicitly named in the job body as the core platform the team manages; it is treated as a hard requirement even though it appears in the role description rather than a formal qualifications bullet.
GPU/TPU, GKE, and GCP appear under preferred qualifications or in the role narrative and are marked as preferred accordingly.
Compensation is stated as $207,000–$301,000/year plus a 20% bonus target and equity; the bonus and equity are not reflected in the min/max figures, which capture base salary only.
Ignored 1 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): software development.
Read the full posting
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