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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer - Spectroscopy - **Company:** Picarro, Inc - **Location:** Santa Clara, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $140,000.0 - $180,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Data Analysis, Automation of Tests, UClibc (C Standard Library), Software Quality, Code Review, Communications Protocols, Computer Engineering, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Software Design Patterns, Linux, Distributed Systems, Ethernet, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Revision Control Systems, Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, Linux Distribution, Object-Oriented Software Development, PCI Express, Software Architecture, Cloud Services, Scientific Computating, Signal Processing, Software Deployment, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Verification and Validation (Software), Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, USB, Visual Systems, Software Organization, Data Processing, Multithreading, Serial Peripheral Interface, Caching, Git, Information Technology, Data Management, C++14, Industrial Software, Docker - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy-picarro-inc-9842285 ## About the Role The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering expertise with a demonstrated ability to work on complex scientific instrumentation. Candidates with prior experience in spectroscopy, laser-based measurement systems, analytical instrumentation, or scientific software development are strongly preferred., * BS, MS or PhD degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience. * 8+ years of professional software development experience. * Strong proficiency in Python, C and modern C++. * Familiarity with computer architecture fundamentals including caches, buses, memory controllers, DMA, interrupts, and low-level hardware interactions. * Experience developing software on Linux platforms. * Experience with multi-threaded and distributed systems. * Experience interfacing software with hardware, embedded systems, or scientific instrumentation. * Strong understanding of software architecture, object-oriented design, and design patterns. * Experience with source control systems such as Git and modern development workflows. * Exceptional debugging, problem-solving, and analytical skills. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills., * Experience developing software for analytical instruments, laboratory automation, semiconductor equipment, or industrial systems. * Prior experience developing software for spectroscopy-based instruments, analytical instrumentation, optical systems, or scientific measurement platforms. * Understanding of spectroscopic techniques such as Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS), Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis, or related measurement technologies. * Experience working with scientific data processing, signal analysis, calibration algorithms, or spectral analysis. * Familiarity with Linux kernel drivers and low-level device communication. * Experience with FPGA-based systems and hardware/software integration. * Experience with PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SPI, I²C, CAN, or other hardware communication protocols. * Experience with Buildroot, and Linux distributions. * Experience with cloud services, remote diagnostics, and IoT architectures. * Familiarity with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and software deployment automation. * Experience with data analysis, signal processing, or scientific computing. * Knowledge of regulatory and quality-system environments. ## Description * Lead software architecture, design, implementation, and maintenance for instrument control and data acquisition systems. * Develop high-reliability software running on Linux-based embedded platforms. * Design and implement software interfaces between instrument hardware, FPGA/firmware subsystems, and higher-level applications. * Develop APIs, drivers, services, and libraries supporting next-generation spectrometer and analyzer platforms. * Collaborate with systems, optical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers to define software requirements and system architectures. * Drive software quality through code reviews, automated testing, continuous integration, and software validation activities. * Investigate and resolve complex system integration issues involving software, firmware, hardware, and networking. * Lead architectural decisions that improve scalability, maintainability, and manufacturability across product families. * Develop tools and automation supporting manufacturing, calibration, testing, and field diagnostics. * Participate in product planning, risk assessment, design reviews, and technical decision-making. * Mentor junior engineers and establish software development best practices. * Contribute to the development of cloud connectivity, remote monitoring, and data management capabilities where applicable., We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Prototyping with Hardware and the Web](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/651-prototyping-with-hardware-and-the-web) - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [Project Fugu: Extending the web](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/832-project-fugu-extending-the-web) - [Quantum DevOps - Quantum Application Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1441-quantum-devops-quantum-application-development) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs)