What are the responsibilities and job description for the Software Systems Architect - Scientific Instruments position at Picarro?
Software Systems Architect - Scientific Instruments
Location:Santa Clara, CA
Bay Area - Primarily onsite with occasional remote flexibility
Role Summary:
We're hiring an Software Systems Architect to define and evolve the top-tier software layer for next-generation CRDS systems. This layer sits above the embedded systems and below the UI/UX, orchestrating instrument control, data handling, and workflow logic. You'll modernize a large legacy codebase while instituting clean code practices, robust documentation, scalability, deployability, and high testing rigor - ensuring our software is as precise and reliable as our hardware.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and evolve the application layer architecture with clear module boundaries, well-defined interfaces, and strong separation of concerns
- Modernize a large, legacy codebase through refactoring, repository standardization, dependency management, and incremental migration strategies
- Establish and enforce coding standards, code review processes, and documentation practices
- Build rigorous testing strategies - unit, integration, and system-level - integrated into CI pipelines
- Design and maintain stable interfaces with embedded/FPGA services and UI/UX layers
- Optimize application performance, reliability, and observability through profiling, logging, and resource management
- Oversee production readiness including packaging, deployment strategies, and configuration management
Qualifications:
- BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
- 10 years developing application-level software for complex hardware systems, preferably in scientific or industrial instrumentation
- Proven success modernizing large legacy codebases
- Proficiency in C and/or Python, with experience in IPC/messaging and data serialization (e.g., gRPC/REST, protobuf/JSON)
- Experience with CI/CD systems, automated testing frameworks, and code quality enforcement
- Strong collaboration skills across software and hardware engineering domains
The base salary range for this full-time position is $190K to $210K. Our total compensation packages includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity.Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.
We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
- Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- Employee Referral Program
- 401K
- Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
- On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)
About Picarro:
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.
At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.
At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. atdisabilityassistance@picarro.comfor assistance.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, nor on the basis of disability.
Posted positions are not open to third party recruiters/agencies and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.