Senior UX Engineer, YouTube

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Engineer, YouTube
Company: Google
Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: User Experience (UX) Engineering / Product Prototyping / Generative AI Integration
Date Posted: September 22, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (implied by "Senior" title and 6+ years of experience)
Remote Status: Remote OK (with primary location in Sunnyvale, CA)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on pioneering future-looking Generative AI experiences for the YouTube platform, impacting viewers, creators, artists, and advertisers.
• It involves rapid prototyping and iterative development, bridging the gap between design ideation and functional implementation for new product features.
• The position requires a strong blend of front-end development expertise, technical UX design skills, and a keen understanding of user-centered design principles.
• A key aspect of this role is identifying and building AI-powered internal tools to boost creativity, optimize workflows, and amplify the effectiveness of UX teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input data doesn't explicitly categorize this as a Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM role, the focus on product innovation, user experience, and leveraging technology to drive product adoption and business impact aligns with operational excellence principles. The role requires understanding how user experience and new technologies (like GenAI) can impact user engagement and potentially revenue streams for YouTube.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a cross-functional team of UX Designers, Researchers, Product Managers, and Engineers to conceptualize and rapidly build a diverse range of interactive prototypes, ranging from low-fidelity explorations to robust, internally scalable versions.
• Partner closely with UX Researchers to conduct user testing with prototypes, leveraging feedback to challenge assumptions, validate product ideas, and iteratively refine new user experiences.
• Proactively identify opportunities and develop AI-powered internal tools designed to enhance creativity, streamline operational workflows for UX teams, and scale their overall impact.
• Stay informed and actively investigate the latest advancements in generative AI models and technologies, exploring their potential applications for solving user problems and unlocking novel opportunities within the YouTube ecosystem.
• Act as a liaison between product vision and engineering execution, translating futuristic concepts into actionable development steps and influencing YouTube's product roadmaps and strategic decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, collaborative approach to product development and process improvement, which are core tenets of operational roles. The focus on building tools to enhance team efficiency and scaling impact directly relates to operational effectiveness.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant technical field (e.g., Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Engineering, Design).

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in front-end development, technical UX design, or advanced prototyping.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and iterating on user-facing features and products.

Required Skills:

• Front-End Development: Proficiency in building interactive and user-friendly interfaces.
• Technical UX Design: Ability to translate user needs and design concepts into functional prototypes.
• Prototyping: Expertise in creating a spectrum of prototypes, from low-fidelity to high-fidelity and scalable.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills to address complex user and technical challenges.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams (Design, Research, Product Management, Engineering).

Preferred Skills:

• Modern Front-End Frameworks: Experience with frameworks such as React or Vue.js.
• Back-End Development: Familiarity with back-end technologies like Node.js or Python.
• Cloud Platforms & Databases: Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., Google Cloud Platform) and databases (e.g., Firebase/Firestore).
• Generative AI Technologies: Hands-on experience with Generative AI models and their application in product development.
• User-Centered Design: A deep understanding of UX principles and a commitment to user-centricity.
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn and become proficient with new technology stacks.
• Full-Stack Prototyping: Proficiency in building comprehensive, full-stack interactive prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills in cloud platforms, databases, and back-end development suggest that this role may involve building more sophisticated prototypes that interact with backend systems, requiring an understanding of data flow and application architecture, akin to operational systems design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of interactive prototypes demonstrating front-end development proficiency and technical UX design capabilities.
• Include case studies that highlight the process of iterating on prototypes based on user feedback and research findings.
• Demonstrate experience in building full-stack prototypes, illustrating an understanding of data flow and system integration.
• Provide examples of projects where technical solutions were developed to solve user problems or enhance user experiences.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of systematic approaches to prototype development, including iterative design and testing cycles.
• Documentation of how user feedback was incorporated to drive design and functionality improvements.
• Examples of how technical challenges were overcome to deliver functional prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "process portfolio," the expectation for a Senior UX Engineer to showcase their work implies a need for a portfolio that details their design-to-development process, problem-solving methodologies, and the impact of their prototypes. This parallels the need for operations professionals to demonstrate their process optimization and system implementation successes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• US Base Salary Range: $151,000 - $222,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Performance-based bonuses are provided.
• Equity: Stock options or grants are part of the compensation package.
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, likely including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k), paid time off, parental leave, and other employee wellness programs typical of a large tech company like Google.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are implied, likely around 40 hours per week, with the possibility of flexibility given the "Remote OK" status and the nature of innovation work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a strong indicator of a senior-level position in a high-cost-of-living area like Sunnyvale, CA. The inclusion of bonus and equity suggests a performance-driven culture common in tech companies. The "Remote OK" status indicates potential flexibility in work location, though a primary presence in Sunnyvale is suggested.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Internet Services, Software, Media)
Company Size: Extremely Large (Google is a multinational technology conglomerate with hundreds of thousands of employees globally).
Founded: 1998 (Google's founding principles of user focus and innovation are deeply ingrained in its culture).

Team Structure:

• The UX team at Google is multi-disciplinary, comprising UX Designers, Researchers, Writers, Content Strategists, Program Managers, and Engineers.
• This role integrates closely with UX Designers and Researchers, acting as a technical bridge between design and engineering.
• It operates within a fast-paced, challenging environment, requiring close collaboration with product and engineering teams across YouTube.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on gathering user insights (attitudes, emotions, behaviors) to inform design decisions.
• Iterative Development: Rapid prototyping, user testing, and continuous refinement of experiences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close partnerships with product management, engineering, and design to ensure holistic product development.
• Innovation & Exploration: Encouragement to explore bold ideas and stay at the forefront of emerging technologies like Generative AI.

Company Website: https://www.google.com (YouTube is a subsidiary of Google)

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture is renowned for its emphasis on innovation, user-centricity, and data-driven approaches. The "focus on the user" principle is paramount. For this role, this translates to a dynamic environment where experimentation and rapid iteration are key to shaping the future of YouTube's user experiences, especially with emerging technologies like GenAI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor, specializing in the intersection of UX Design and Engineering. This role is crucial for translating abstract concepts into tangible, testable product experiences.

Reporting Structure:

• The Senior UX Engineer will likely report to a UX Manager or Lead within the YouTube UX organization.
• They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on specific YouTube product initiatives.

Operations Impact:

• This role has a direct impact on product strategy and development by creating prototypes that validate future product directions and identify user needs.
• By building internal tools, the UX Engineer can significantly improve the efficiency and output of UX teams, indirectly contributing to faster product cycles and better user outcomes.
• The exploration of Generative AI for YouTube can lead to significant shifts in user engagement, creator tools, and advertising effectiveness, all of which have revenue implications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Generative AI, advanced prototyping techniques, and full-stack development within a leading tech environment.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior UX Engineers and lead technical aspects of UX projects.
• Cross-Product Exposure: Potential to contribute to various YouTube product areas or collaborate on initiatives with other Google product teams.
• Strategic Influence: Grow into roles that shape product strategy and influence long-term technology roadmaps, particularly in emerging AI domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique growth path for individuals who excel at the technical execution of UX vision. The emphasis on emerging technologies like Generative AI provides a strong opportunity for career advancement in a high-demand field. The ability to impact product roadmaps and drive innovation positions this as a strategic role within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/Remote Flexibility. While the primary location is Sunnyvale, CA, the "Remote OK" status indicates a willingness to hire candidates who can work effectively remotely within the US.

Office Location(s):

• Primary location: Sunnyvale, California, USA.
• Remote work is permitted within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative atmosphere, working closely with designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers.
• Tooling & Technology: Access to cutting-edge development tools, design software, and potentially internal Google platforms for prototyping and AI development.
• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with team members through virtual meetings, design reviews, and potentially in-person gatherings if working from a Google office location.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, implying a standard 40-hour work week.
• Given the nature of product innovation and prototyping, there may be periods of intense work followed by more flexible periods. The "Remote OK" status suggests a degree of autonomy in managing one's schedule, provided deliverables are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The flexibility offered by "Remote OK" is a significant factor for candidates. However, for a senior role involving deep collaboration and rapid prototyping, understanding team communication norms and availability is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to collaborate effectively regardless of physical location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an HR or recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Technical/UX Screen: A discussion with a UX Engineer or Designer to evaluate technical skills, prototyping experience, and UX understanding.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to deeply review the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, challenges, and outcomes.
• On-site/Virtual Interviews: A series of interviews with cross-functional team members (Designers, Researchers, PMs, other Engineers) to assess collaboration, problem-solving, technical depth, and cultural fit.
• System Design/Prototyping Challenge: Potentially a take-home assignment or a live coding/prototyping exercise to evaluate practical skills.
• Hiring Committee Review: Final decisions are often made by a hiring committee based on all gathered feedback.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Highlight the journey from problem identification to solution, including user research insights, design iterations, and technical implementation challenges.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your prototypes or tools (e.g., improved user engagement, faster iteration cycles, successful validation of features).
• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Clearly articulate the technologies used and your specific contributions to the technical implementation of prototypes.
• Highlight GenAI Experience: If applicable, showcase any projects or explorations involving Generative AI, explaining the models used and the outcomes.
• Tailor to YouTube: Understand YouTube's user base and product goals, and be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to its future.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prototyping Tools: Be proficient with industry-standard prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) and potentially front-end code for more interactive prototypes.
• Front-End Technologies: Brush up on modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue) and potentially Node.js or Python if full-stack experience is emphasized.
• UX Principles: Be ready to discuss core UX concepts, user-centered design, and how to effectively incorporate user feedback.
• Problem-Solving Frameworks: Practice breaking down complex problems into manageable steps and articulating your thought process clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Expect to walk through your projects in detail, explaining your technical decisions, design rationale, and how you incorporated user feedback. Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI and how you envision applying it to YouTube.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Framer (for high-fidelity and interactive prototypes).
• Front-End Frameworks: React, Vue.js (as mentioned in preferred qualifications).
• Programming Languages: JavaScript (essential for front-end), potentially Node.js, Python for back-end/tool development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus of the role, an understanding of analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, internal YouTube analytics platforms) for evaluating prototype performance and user behavior would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable, but familiarity with how user data is managed and accessed within systems is helpful for prototyping.

Generative AI Technologies:

• Experience with specific Generative AI models (e.g., large language models, diffusion models) and frameworks for their implementation (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Google AI Platform).

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with a range of tools, particularly those used for rapid prototyping and front-end development. Experience with cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is also a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A relentless commitment to understanding and serving user needs.
• Innovation: Encouragement to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches.
• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Driven: Utilizing data and user insights to inform decisions and measure impact.
• Excellence: Striving for high-quality execution and impactful product experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively works with Design, Research, and Product Management to ensure seamless integration of technical capabilities with user-centric goals.
• Feedback-Oriented: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to continuously improve designs and prototypes.
• Proactive Communication: Keeps stakeholders informed about progress, challenges, and technical considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Google emphasizes collaboration and a shared responsibility for product success. For a UX Engineer, this means being an active participant in design discussions, understanding product strategy, and contributing technical solutions that align with user needs and business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Pace of Innovation: Keeping up with the fast-evolving landscape of Generative AI and its applications.
• Translating Vision to Reality: Effectively bridging the gap between conceptual ideas and functional, testable prototypes.
• Balancing Fidelity and Speed: Creating prototypes that are both sophisticated enough for user testing and quick enough for rapid iteration.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring technical feasibility and design intent are aligned across diverse teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Direct exposure to and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art Generative AI models and technologies.
• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced UX professionals and engineers within Google.
• Skill Broadening: Potential to expand into back-end development, cloud architecture, and AI model integration.
• Impactful Projects: Contributing to a globally used platform like YouTube, with the potential for significant user impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity for growth in the rapidly expanding field of AI and its application in user experience. The challenges are tied to staying ahead of technological curves and effectively translating complex AI capabilities into user-friendly product features.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user problem you solved with a prototype. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem decomposition, iterative design, and user feedback integration.)
• "How do you stay current with advancements in front-end technologies and Generative AI?" (Highlight continuous learning habits, industry engagement, and practical exploration.)
• "Walk us through a prototype you built that required collaboration with designers and researchers. What were the key interdependencies and how did you manage them?" (Emphasize communication, partnership, and technical contribution to team goals.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about YouTube and the prospect of working with Generative AI here?" (Connect your passion with YouTube's user base and Google's AI initiatives.)
• "How do you approach balancing user needs with technical constraints in your prototyping work?" (Demonstrate user-centricity while acknowledging practical limitations.)
• "Describe a time you had to adapt quickly to a new technology stack. How did you approach it?" (Showcase adaptability and a structured learning approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process (design, development, testing), the technologies used, and the results/learnings.
• Storytelling: Narrate your projects as stories, highlighting challenges overcome and key decisions made.
• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical architecture of your prototypes, code snippets (if relevant), and the specific tools you employed.
• AI Focus: If you have AI-related projects, articulate your understanding of the models, their application, and the impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to discuss your thought process for building prototypes, your understanding of user-centered design, and how you integrate feedback. Your ability to articulate technical concepts clearly and collaborate effectively will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent position:

• Submit your application through the provided Google Careers link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your front-end development, technical UX design, and prototyping skills, with specific examples relevant to user experience and interactive product development.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6+ years of experience, proficiency in relevant technologies (React, Vue, Node.js, Python, Generative AI), and your collaborative skills. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your project processes, technical decisions, and problem-solving approaches. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Generative AI and its potential applications for YouTube.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with YouTube's current product offerings, user base, and Google's broader AI strategy to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

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