Building Product Teams for Google's Data Center Software
Industry
Technology
Client
Gaps
Performance
THE GAPS
Google's data center operations relied on software systems that had grown organically over years — fragmented experiences, inconsistent workflows, limited scalability across 30 global sites. They needed specialized UX talent who could work inside a highly technical environment. Thousands of operations staff depended on these tools daily. The challenge wasn't just improving interfaces, it was finding and managing designers who could operate within Google's technical constraints without disrupting facilities that couldn't afford downtime.
THE ENGAGEMENT
I served as staffing lead for Google's data center software teams for six years — recruiting, hiring, and managing contract teams of UX designers, researchers, and front-end engineers.
WHAT I DELIVERED
Specialized UX teams built for the most demanding technical environment.
Investing significant time upfront, helped me and my team understand the technical complexity, operational constraints, and collaborative dynamics required, before building contract teams with the right combination of enterprise experience, technical fluency, and cross-functional skills. I managed all aspects of contractor employment — recruiting, vetting, performance, and retention. When issues emerged including skill gaps, team dynamics, evolving project needs I resolved them through coaching, role adjustments, or personnel changes. I partnered directly with Google's internal leads to keep teams aligned as requirements evolved.
The Impact
UX teams built and managed that redesigned core data center software across 30 global sites
Specialized talent recruited capable of working within a highly technical, operationally sensitive environment
A 6-year client relationship maintained through responsive staffing and consistent team quality
Designers and researchers placed who established human-centered workflows and design systems improving scalability, usability, and consistency
Why This Matters
This experience, combined with 12 years running a successful design agency, is the foundation of how I evaluate talent, build teams, and understand what it takes to embed design into engineering-led organizations. When a client's gaps require expertise beyond my own, I draw on nearly two decades of recruiting, vetting, and managing design talent — including six years doing it for Google.
