The scheme applies to US-based workers in teams responsible for Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Google Photos, Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest, among others.

The move follows last year's merger of Google’s Pixel hardware and Android software teams, which aimed to streamline operations and ensure employees were committed to the company's mission.

Senior Vice President Rick Osterloh informed staff of the voluntary exit programme in a memo, which the company later confirmed.

The offer does not extend to other divisions, such as Search and AI, but it follows Alphabet’s broader focus on “driving further efficiencies,” as outlined by the company’s new chief financial officer last October.

The restructuring of Google’s hardware and software teams has led to some role redundancies and overlaps, and Osterloh noted that employees had inquired about voluntary exits since the merger. “Not offering people the option to leave in advance was a complaint about how Google handled past layoffs,” the memo acknowledged.

Google framed the exit programme as an opportunity for those who may not be fully aligned with the company’s new structure or are struggling with role changes and hybrid working requirements.

Employees who choose to leave will receive severance packages, though specific details are yet to be disclosed internally. The company assured staff that this initiative is not linked to product roadmap changes.

Before the merger, Google had already undertaken significant restructuring within its hardware division. Last January, the company moved to a functional organisation model, consolidating teams across Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit under a single leadership structure. The broader unification in April aimed to “speed up decision-making” within the company.

A spokesGoogle said the Platforms & Devices team is offering a voluntary exit programme that allows US-based Googlers working on this team to leave the company voluntarily with a severance package.

“This comes after we brought two large organisations together last year. There’s tremendous momentum on this team, and with so much important work ahead, we want everyone to be deeply committed to our mission and focused on building great products with speed and efficiency.”