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Google New York: Metro Geek Shangri-La?

Google has approximately 30 technology job openings at its new office in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. Google has more than 250,000 square feet in a humongous Eighth Avenue building that, when it was built in 1932, was the headquarters of the Port Authority of New York. That location is key because it puts Google smack in the middle of one of Manhattan's most thriving areas, not miles away in the burbs of New Jersey or Westchester County.

Chelsea is known for its upscale market, an entertainment complex on a pier that juts into the Hudson River, art galleries, restaurants, and gay bars. Google's Eighth Avenue office is a few steps from the 14th Street stop on New York's A, C, and E subway line. That's two stops from Penn Station, of significance to anyone commuting by train.

From the outside, there's no way to tell that this is Google's New York headquarters. Once you pass through security and get to the fourth floor, however, there's no mistaking it. In the lobby, there's the familiar logo, a running scroll of search terms projected onto the floor, lava lamps. And, yes, as at Google's Mountain View, Calif., campus there are free meals, two-wheel scooters for anyone to use, inflatable exercise balls in conference rooms, and a fully equipped game room. The scooters aren't just for fun. The offices and cubicles stretch from Eighth Avenue to Ninth Avenue. Going from one end to the other and back nearly qualifies as a day's exercise.

About the jobs: Google has eight openings for software engineers (decision support, research scientist, mobile software, Java), four for engineering managers, a Unix system admin, and more. It also lists more than a dozen open positions in operations and IT, including a data center technician, help desk troubleshooter, and Mac support specialist.

Does any of this sound interesting to you? Silicon Valley it's not--no sign of Apple or Cisco or HP or Intel or Oracle (or IBM or Microsoft, for that matter) as far as the eye can see. Google's now got 200 engineers and other tech pros in Chelsea, so you wouldn't be alone. Metro geeks have taken notice. The first in a local speaker series hosted by Google, featuring engineer Adam Bosworth, drew 800 people; there was room for 250.

If you do decide to apply for a job at Google, don't expect a call back today or tomorrow. Most of Google's Manhattan staff are on a company-paid ski trip to Vermont.

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