Scientific SW Engineer - Precision Optics

Software Engineering Rochester, NY, US

2 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $76,529.00 To $96,493.00 Annually

Reports to:Software Engineering Manager

Job Grade:10

Travel:Less than 10%, including domestic and international travel as business needs require

Work arrangement:On-site, with limited remote work permitted for certain tasks at the discretion of the manager

Compensation:The target hiring range is generally $76,529–$96,493, depending on relevant experience, demonstrated technical capability, skills, education, internal equity, and business needs. This role is eligible for QED's annual performance-based incentive program with a target opportunity of 10% of base salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package and 401(k) program.

About QED Technologies

At QED Technologies, we are building what's next.

For 30 years, QED has helped customers solve complex challenges in precision optics through advanced fabrication and metrology technologies. Our proprietary solutions support applications across aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, space and astronomy, research, fusion, and other advanced industries.

Our work depends on talented people who bring curiosity, precision, collaboration, and ownership to difficult problems. We are building a high-performing culture where people are trusted to make an impact, teams work across boundaries, and continuous improvement is part of how we operate.

The opportunity

The Scientific Software Engineer I — Precision Optics is an early-career, multidisciplinary role focused on developing advanced software for QED's precision-optics manufacturing and metrology systems. This individual contributor brings a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, optics, or engineering, along with the ability to collaborate closely with experienced engineers and scientists on software that interfaces with complex physical systems, optical instrumentation, and precision-motion hardware.

Working under the guidance of senior engineers within a cross-functional engineering organization, this role contributes to software-development efforts from requirements through design, implementation, testing, and support. The Scientific Software Engineer I partners with software, hardware, systems, and applications stakeholders to build solid, well-tested software that supports customers in manufacturing and measuring advanced optical components.

This role offers the opportunity to apply analytical and scientific problem-solving skills, build technical depth in high-precision optical technologies, and contribute to meaningful engineering challenges from day one. Success requires strong fundamentals, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to learning and delivering in a complex technical environment.

What you will do

Software design and development

• Analyze software requirements under the guidance of senior engineers to determine feasible design approaches within time and cost constraints.
• Contribute to software designs by implementing components that follow established architecture and design patterns.
• Code, debug, and test software features that support QED's precision-optics manufacturing, metrology, data-analysis, instrumentation, and motion-control capabilities.
• Write clean, readable, well-structured, and testable code consistent with established development standards.
• Document code and development work to support maintainability and future enhancements.
• Support estimation of assigned tasks and communicate progress toward development milestones.

Scientific, algorithmic, and systems engineering

• Modify or develop algorithms related to optical metrology, precision-optics manufacturing, and optical data analysis under senior engineer guidance.
• Apply engineering reasoning and quantitative thinking to design software that behaves predictably and meets requirements.
• Use knowledge of probability, statistics, linear algebra, signal processing, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus to support technical problem-solving.
• Consult with hardware engineers and other technical staff to help evaluate interfaces between software, instrumentation, motion hardware, and the broader system.
• Assist in investigating software and system issues and support root-cause analysis.

Quality, testing, and engineering practices

• Assist in developing and executing software test procedures and associated documentation.
• Collaborate with team members to follow and continuously improve…