Senior UX Engineer, Search Ads

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Engineer, Search Ads

Company: Google

Location: New York, NY / Seattle, WA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Engineering / Design Technology

Date Posted: August 24, 2026

Experience Level: 6-7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive innovation in Search Ads by building technical solutions and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using cutting-edge AI-enabled tools.

• Collaborate closely with UX Designers, UX Researchers, Product Managers, and Software Engineers to de-risk new product ideas and ensure efficient, high-quality execution.

• Bridge the gap between design and engineering, translating complex user insights into tangible, industry-leading product experiences.

• Contribute to the future of Google Search by focusing on user engagement, search result quality, and sustainable monetization through safe advertising practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is distinctly positioned at the intersection of User Experience (UX) and Engineering, focusing on the practical implementation and prototyping of innovative design concepts within the critical Search Ads domain. The emphasis on AI-enabled tools and bridging design/engineering suggests a need for candidates who are not only skilled in front-end development and UX design but also adept at leveraging emerging technologies to accelerate the product development lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Construct robust technical solutions and advanced prototypes that enable UX Designers, UX Researchers, Product Managers, and Software Engineers to effectively de-risk and validate novel concepts within the Search Ads ecosystem.

• Develop highly interactive, high-fidelity prototypes and user experiences that leverage the latest advancements in AI-enabled tools, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in user interface design.

• Actively advise, collaborate with, and synthesize feedback from cross-functional partners, including UX designers and researchers, to ensure prototypes and technical solutions align with user needs and design vision.

• Translate complex user insights and product requirements into tangible, interactive experiences that define the future of Google Search and Ads.

• Build and refine tools and workflows that enhance the productivity and efficiency of UX teams, accelerating the pace of innovation and execution.

• Serve as a critical bridge between design and engineering, ensuring seamless communication, efficient handoffs, and high-quality implementation of UX concepts.

• Contribute to the strategic vision for Google Search and Ads on Google Experiences (SAGE), focusing on driving user engagement, improving search result quality, and supporting safe and sustainable monetization models.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive and collaborative approach, emphasizing the candidate's role in enabling innovation rather than just executing tasks. The focus on "de-risking innovative ideas" and "bridging design and engineering" points to a strategic contribution where technical expertise directly supports product strategy and user-centric development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, or a related technical discipline. Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in front-end development, technical UX design, or interactive prototyping.

• A strong track record of developing responsive, adaptive, and performant websites and applications, demonstrating a deep understanding of modern web technologies and best practices. Required Skills:

• Front-end Development: Proficient in core front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and modern frameworks.

• Technical UX Design: Expertise in translating user needs and design concepts into technically feasible and engaging interactive experiences.

• Prototyping: Advanced skills in creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes using various tools and methodologies.

• Application Development: Experience in application development across one or more platforms such as web, iOS, or Android.

• Responsive & Adaptive Design: Proven ability to design and implement user interfaces that function seamlessly across diverse devices and screen sizes.

• User Insights Synthesis: Ability to understand and integrate feedback from UX designers, researchers, and product managers into technical solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success working effectively with diverse teams including UX, Product Management, and Engineering.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced Web Development: 7 years of experience developing highly performant and scalable web applications.

• Design Technology: Experience as a UX Engineer, Creative Technologist, or Design Technologist, with a focus on bridging design and code.

• AI-Enabled Tools: Experience working with or developing using advanced AI-enabled tools for design and development (e.g., AntiGravity, Claude Code).

• XR Development: Experience in Extended Reality (XR) development, indicating a breadth of technical capability.

• Performance Optimization: Deep understanding of performance tuning and optimization techniques for web applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications, particularly the mention of "AntiGravity or Claude Code," suggest a forward-looking role that embraces cutting-edge AI technologies for prototyping and development. This implies a need for candidates who are not only technically proficient but also adaptable and eager to explore new tools and methodologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Interactive Prototypes: Showcase a range of high-fidelity, interactive prototypes demonstrating complex user flows, animations, and dynamic content. Include examples that highlight your ability to de-risk innovative ideas through technical exploration.

• Technical Solutions: Present examples of technical solutions you've built to unblock or advance the efforts of UX designers, researchers, or product managers. This could include custom tools, frameworks, or innovative implementations.

• Responsive & Adaptive Design Examples: Include case studies that clearly illustrate your approach to designing and developing for multiple devices and screen sizes, emphasizing performance and user experience consistency.

• AI Tool Integration: If applicable, showcase projects where you've utilized AI-enabled tools for design, prototyping, or development, demonstrating your ability to leverage emerging technologies.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Evidence: Detail projects where you played a key role in bridging design and engineering, showing how you facilitated communication and ensured high-quality execution.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you've documented and optimized workflows for UX and engineering teams, focusing on efficiency and seamless integration.

• System Implementation Standards: Demonstrate your understanding of how to implement and integrate new tools or technologies within existing development pipelines, ensuring scalability and maintainability.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Show how you've measured the impact of your technical solutions or prototypes, using data to inform iteration and demonstrate value.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on prototyping and bridging design/engineering, a portfolio that clearly demonstrates hands-on technical execution, innovative problem-solving, and the ability to translate abstract concepts into functional prototypes will be crucial. Evidence of working with advanced tools and cross-functional collaboration will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• US: $159,000 - $230,000 (USD) per year.

Benefits:

• Bonus Target: An annual bonus target of up to 15% of base salary, tied to individual and company performance.

• Equity: Stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of the overall compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Parental Leave: Paid leave for new parents.

• Other Perks: May include wellness programs, commuter benefits, employee assistance programs, and access to on-site amenities (depending on location).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.

• While on-site, there may be flexibility in daily start and end times, but core business hours will require availability for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Engineer role at a major tech company like Google in high-cost-of-living areas like New York and Seattle. The inclusion of a bonus target and equity signifies a performance-oriented compensation structure. The estimated benefits are standard for large tech firms, focusing on holistic employee well-being and long-term financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Internet Services and Software)

Company Size: Extremely Large (100,000+ employees)

Founded: 1998 (Google was founded in 1998, though its Search Ads division has evolved significantly since then).

Team Structure:

• Multi-disciplinary UX Team: You will be part of a dynamic team comprising UX Engineers, UX Designers, and UX Researchers, working collaboratively to shape product experiences.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close partnerships with Product Management (PM) and Software Engineering (SWE) teams, fostering a highly integrated development environment.

• Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, Senior roles typically report to a UX Engineering Manager or Director, with direct interaction and mentorship opportunities for more junior team members.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: A core tenet is "Focus on the user and all else will follow," driving all design and development decisions.

• Data-Driven Innovation: User insights, research data, and performance metrics are critical inputs for de-risking ideas and refining product experiences.

• Agile Development: The fast-paced environment suggests an Agile or hybrid Agile methodology, emphasizing iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.

• AI Integration: Proactive adoption and integration of AI-enabled tools to enhance creativity, efficiency, and the quality of UX deliverables.

Company Website: https://www.google.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture is renowned for its emphasis on innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a strong user focus. For a UX Engineer, this translates to an environment where technical creativity is valued, and the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines is paramount to success. The sheer scale of Google means opportunities for impact are vast, but also requires navigating complex organizational structures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UX Engineer

• This level signifies a seasoned professional with deep expertise in both UX principles and front-end engineering. The role involves not only execution but also strategic input, mentorship of junior engineers, and the ability to tackle complex, ambiguous problems independently. It's a key individual contributor role with significant influence on product direction. Reporting Structure:

• You will likely report to a UX Engineering Manager or Director within the Search Ads UX team. Your day-to-day work will involve close collaboration with UX Designers, UX Researchers, Product Managers, and Software Engineers across various product initiatives. Operations Impact:

• As a Senior UX Engineer on Search Ads, your impact is direct and significant. You will be instrumental in shaping the user experience of one of Google's most critical and high-revenue product areas. Your work will influence how millions of users and advertisers interact with Google Search, directly contributing to user engagement, advertiser success, and Google's overall monetization strategy. By de-risking innovative ideas through robust prototyping, you enable the company to pursue ambitious product goals with greater confidence. Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven prototyping, advanced front-end architecture, or emerging XR technologies relevant to search experiences.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Tech Lead role, guiding small teams, mentoring junior engineers, and taking ownership of larger technical initiatives.

• Management Track: Potentially move into UX Engineering management, leading a team of UX Engineers and contributing to strategic planning and team growth.

• Cross-Product Mobility: Leverage your experience to move into UX Engineering roles on other Google product areas, broadening your exposure to different user problems and technical challenges.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to open-source projects, speak at conferences, or publish research, becoming a recognized expert in the field of UX Engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title at Google implies a high degree of autonomy and influence. Growth opportunities are typically well-defined, offering paths for both deep technical expertise and leadership. The role's placement within Search Ads, a core revenue driver, suggests that performance and impact will be closely monitored and rewarded, potentially accelerating career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Large, modern corporate campus with extensive on-site amenities.

Office Location(s):

• New York, NY: Likely a prominent office in Manhattan, offering access to a vibrant tech ecosystem.

• Seattle, WA: Likely located in Kirkland or South Lake Union, a major hub for tech companies in the Pacific Northwest.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The environment is designed to foster collaboration, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and informal gathering spaces equipped with modern technology for seamless interaction.

• State-of-the-Art Tools: Access to cutting-edge hardware, software, and internal tools necessary for advanced UX engineering and prototyping. This includes powerful workstations, specialized displays, and potentially VR/AR equipment.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with your immediate UX team, as well as frequent engagement with Product Management, Software Engineering, and Research partners, both within your product area and across other Google teams.

Work Schedule:

• While the role is on-site, Google often offers a degree of flexibility in daily working hours. However, core business hours are expected to be covered for effective collaboration with global teams and immediate colleagues. The emphasis is on delivering results rather than strict time-tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests an environment that prioritizes in-person collaboration, spontaneous idea generation, and the use of shared physical resources. Google's campuses are known for their employee-centric design, aiming to provide a productive and engaging work experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume for relevant experience and qualifications.

• Phone/Video Screen: Typically with a UX Engineer or Recruiter to assess basic qualifications, role understanding, and cultural fit.

• Technical/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your technical approach, problem-solving methodologies, and impact.

Expect in-depth questions about your contributions and decision-making.

• On-site/Virtual Interviews (Loop): A series of interviews (usually 4-5) with various team members, including other UX Engineers, UX Designers, Product Managers, and potentially Engineering Managers. These will assess:

  • Technical Skills: Deep dives into front-end development, prototyping, and architectural design.
  • Problem Solving: Hypothetical scenarios and challenges related to UX design and engineering.
  • Collaboration & Communication: How you work with cross-functional teams and handle feedback.
  • UX Acumen: Understanding of user-centered design principles and their application.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: For senior roles, assessing your ability to guide others and influence technical direction.

• Hiring Committee Review: Your interview feedback is compiled and reviewed by a committee to ensure fairness and consistency in hiring decisions.

• Team Matching/Offer: If successful, you may be matched to a specific team or receive an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (front-end, prototyping, AI tools, cross-functional work).

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the technical solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact achieved. Use data where possible.

• Showcase Process: Explain your thought process, design decisions, and how you collaborated with others. Demonstrate how you leveraged AI tools or overcame technical challenges.

• High-Fidelity Prototypes: Ensure your presented prototypes are interactive, polished, and clearly demonstrate the intended user experience. Be prepared to discuss the technology stack used.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives. Start with the "why," move to the "how," and conclude with the "what" (results).

• Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss the technical details of your implementations, trade-offs considered, and future improvements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Challenges: Expect questions on JavaScript, DOM manipulation, CSS layout and performance, asynchronous programming, and potentially framework-specific concepts.

• Prototyping Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would prototype a specific feature or user flow, including tools and techniques.

• Design Thinking: Practice articulating how you approach user problems, translate requirements, and iterate based on feedback.

• Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses for questions about teamwork, conflict resolution, handling ambiguity, and leadership.

• Company & Role Alignment: Research Google's mission, its approach to UX, and the specific goals of the Search Ads team. Understand how your skills align with their needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and multi-faceted. A strong portfolio showcasing relevant technical skills, impactful projects, and clear collaboration is paramount. Candidates should prepare to articulate their technical decisions, demonstrate problem-solving abilities, and showcase their understanding of user-centered design within a large-scale technology context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Front-end Frameworks: Proficiency in modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) is highly probable, given Google's internal development practices.

• Prototyping Tools: Expertise in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or specialized internal Google tools for creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes. The mention of "AI enabled tools" suggests familiarity with cutting-edge platforms.

• JavaScript/TypeScript: Deep understanding and practical application of JavaScript and potentially TypeScript for building complex web applications.

• HTML/CSS: Mastery of semantic HTML and advanced CSS techniques, including preprocessors (Sass/LESS) and CSS-in-JS solutions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Google Analytics Tools: Familiarity with Google's proprietary analytics and data visualization platforms for tracking user behavior and performance metrics.

• A/B Testing Platforms: Experience with A/B testing methodologies and tools to validate design hypotheses and measure impact.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how UX impacts user journeys within platforms like Google Ads Manager or related advertiser tools is beneficial.

• Internal Tooling: Google likely utilizes a suite of internal tools for project management, code repositories (e.g., Piper), and collaboration. Familiarity with version control systems like Git is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI enabled tools" is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss any experience with generative AI for code, design, or prototyping, even if it's through personal projects or experimental use. A strong foundation in core web technologies remains critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A fundamental principle at Google, ensuring that all technical solutions and prototypes prioritize user needs, ease of use, and overall satisfaction.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement to explore new ideas, experiment with cutting-edge technologies (like AI), and push the boundaries of what's possible in UX and product design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering an environment of mutual support and knowledge sharing.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using insights from user research, A/B testing, and performance metrics to inform design and development choices, ensuring that decisions are grounded in evidence.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished, and performant products and prototypes that meet Google's stringent standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: UX Engineers work as close partners with UX Designers, Researchers, PMs, and SWEs, acting as a bridge between these disciplines.

• Iterative & Feedback-Rich: The culture encourages frequent feedback loops, open critique, and iterative refinement of designs and technical solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in team discussions, design reviews, and internal forums to share learnings, best practices, and insights.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication channels to ensure alignment across teams, especially when working on complex or ambiguous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values underscore a culture that is both highly creative and rigorously analytical. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work, particularly in how they approach problem-solving, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to a user-centric product development process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing cutting-edge prototypes while ensuring they are technically feasible for large-scale implementation within Google's infrastructure.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on new, undefined product areas within Search Ads, requiring the ability to define problems, explore solutions, and create clarity.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and buy-in from multiple stakeholders (UX, PM, Eng) with potentially differing priorities.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously learning and integrating new AI tools and front-end technologies to maintain a competitive edge in prototyping and development.

• De-risking Complex Ideas: Translating highly innovative or experimental concepts into tangible prototypes that provide clear insights for product decisions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Access to internal resources, training, and opportunities to work with advanced AI models and tools for design and development.

• Advanced Prototyping Techniques: Opportunities to hone skills in creating sophisticated, interactive prototypes that push the boundaries of user experience.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Learning from and collaborating with world-class UX Designers, Researchers, and Software Engineers, deepening understanding across disciplines.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior engineers, lead technical initiatives, and contribute to the strategic direction of the UX team.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Support for attending relevant industry events and workshops to stay abreast of the latest trends in UX engineering and AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in fast-paced, innovative tech environments. They offer significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in areas like AI integration and strategic product development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to de-risk an innovative but technically challenging idea. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, technical solutions, and collaboration.)

• "How do you balance the need for rapid prototyping with ensuring technical feasibility for a large-scale product like Google Search Ads?" (Discuss trade-offs, iterative development, and communication strategies.)

• "Walk us through a project where you significantly improved a user experience through your technical contributions. What metrics did you use to measure success?" (Prepare a STAR-method example with clear impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody Google's 'Focus on the user' principle in your work as a UX Engineer?" (Connect your experiences to user-centricity and empathy.)

• "Describe your experience collaborating with UX Designers and Software Engineers. How do you bridge the gap between design and development?" (Highlight communication skills, negotiation, and shared understanding.)

• "What excites you most about the future of Search Ads and the role of AI in shaping user experiences?" (Show genuine interest and forward-thinking perspective.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role/Contribution -> Technical Approach/Solution -> Challenges Faced -> Outcome/Impact -> Key Learnings.

• Visuals: Use high-quality screenshots, GIFs, or live demos of your prototypes. Ensure they load quickly and are easy to navigate.

• Technical Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss the specific technologies, libraries, and techniques used. Explain why you made certain technical choices and the trade-offs involved.

• AI Tool Emphasis: If you have AI tool experience, highlight it explicitly. Discuss how these tools enhanced your workflow, creativity, or the final output.

• Conciseness: Respect the time limit. Practice your presentation to be clear, engaging, and to the point.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical proficiency but also strategic thinking, collaborative skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design within the context of Google's product ecosystem. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, so thorough practice is essential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Engineer position at Google:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided link on the Google Careers site to submit your resume and any requested supplementary materials.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 6+ years of experience in front-end development, technical UX design, and prototyping. Use keywords from the job description such as "AI enabled tools," "responsive design," "high-fidelity prototypes," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-4 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in front-end development, advanced prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to present these projects with a clear narrative focusing on problem, solution, your role, and impact.

• Research Google & Search Ads: Familiarize yourself with Google's mission, its UX philosophy, and the specific goals and challenges of the Search Ads team. Understand how your skills can contribute to their objectives.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare for technical, behavioral, and portfolio-based questions. Practice articulating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and collaborative experiences using the STAR method. Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure it is clear, concise, and impactful.

⚠️ 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.