Senior Software Engineer

Position: Senior Staff Software Engineer

Senior Staff Software Engineer - Embedded Systems

Location: Primarily onsite, with occasional remote flexibility

Role Summary

Picarro is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer - Embedded Systems to take a leading role in architecting and developing the embedded software that powers our advanced Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) instrumentation.

In this role, you'll serve as a hands‑on technical leader - defining system architecture, driving implementation of embedded platforms, and ensuring seamless integration between FPGA control, microcontroller firmware, and higher‑level software. You'll influence design decisions across teams, mentor engineers, and help shape the future of Picarro's embedded software stack.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who thrives at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and software - someone who brings both strategic vision and strong technical execution.

Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of Linux-based embedded systems, including device drivers, services, and communication interfaces.
• Define and maintain system‑level interfaces between firmware, FPGA modules, and high‑level applications.
• Drive platform‑level decisions related to performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
• Champion best practices for embedded software design, code quality, and modular architecture.

Hands‑On Software Development

• Develop robust, high‑performance code in C/C++ for embedded Linux and real‑time environments.
• Contribute to board bring‑up, hardware abstraction layers, and low‑level device integration.
• Troubleshoot complex system‑level issues spanning hardware, firmware, and software boundaries.
• Implement comprehensive unit and system‑level testing to ensure high product reliability.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with hardware, firmware, and application teams to deliver cohesive system solutions.
• Partner with product and systems engineering teams to evaluate trade‑offs and optimize designs.
• Engage with external vendors or consultants for specialized firmware and driver components.

Mentorship & Technical Influence

• Mentor engineers in advanced embedded development techniques and system design principles.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader within the embedded systems domain.
• Influence technical direction and elevate engineering standards across the organization.

Engineering Process & Quality

• Drive adoption of modern embedded development practices including CI/CD, automated testing, and version control.
• Participate in and lead technical reviews - ensuring architectural integrity and alignment with long‑term goals.
• Ensure compliance with internal quality metrics and external regulatory standards.

Qualifications Education & Experience

• BS/MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in embedded systems software design and development, with proven success delivering complex, production‑grade systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading major technical initiatives or system architectures within embedded platforms or instrumentation.

Technical Expertise

• Expert in C/C++ programming for embedded Linux and/or real‑time systems.
• Deep understanding of Linux kernel, device drivers, and hardware bring‑up.
• Strong grasp of microcontroller firmware, FPGA interfaces, and cross‑layer communication.
• Experience with system‑level performance tuning, debugging, and optimization.
• Familiarity with Python or scripting for automation and testing.
• Proficient with modern tools:
  Git, Jira, CI/CD pipelines, and embedded debugging environments.

Soft Skills & Leadership

• Strong ability to lead by influence - aligning teams around technical direction without formal management authority.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills across technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with a hands‑on approach to problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software for CRDS systems, analytical instrumentation, or similar complex hardware platforms.
• Knowledge of embedded software compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Prior…