Systems Software Engineer

Position Overview

Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain robust software systems that support scientific instrumentation and data-driven applications. This role requires strong software engineering fundamentals, experience building reliable and maintainable systems in Python on Linux, and a solid understanding of software development best practices.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working across system layers—from application logic to data processing—and can contribute to both software infrastructure and analytical workflows.

• Design, develop, and maintain systems-level software in Python.
• Build reliable, testable, and maintainable code using modern software engineering practices.
• Develop and maintain unit tests and automated test frameworks.
• Work in collaborative Agile development environments using Git-based workflows.
• Develop and optimize system components running on Linux-based platforms.
• Build and support data pipelines, tools, and internal software frameworks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams (hardware, systems, data, and science teams).
• Support debugging, performance tuning, and system reliability improvements.
• Contribute to architecture decisions and software design reviews.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in Python with experience building production-quality software.
• Solid understanding of Linux operating systems and command-line tools.
• Experience with collaborative software development (Git, code reviews, Agile workflows).
• Strong understanding of software engineering best practices (modularity, testing, documentation).
• Experience writing unit tests and building testable software systems.

• Advanced Python programming.
• Strong experience with software development workflows (Git, branching, CI/CD concepts).
• Unit testing frameworks (pytest or equivalent).
• Linux system usage and scripting.
• Familiarity with modern Python libraries and constructs, including Num Py, Pydantic, typing, pathlib, itertools, collections.
• Ability to design clean, maintainable, and reusable software components.

• Experience building or supporting scientific or instrumentation software systems.
• Exposure to data analysis, data modeling, or visualization workflows.
• Experience working in hardware-software integrated environments.
• Familiarity with performance optimization and debugging complex systems.
• Strong understanding of asynchronous programming concepts in Python.
• Experience contributing to shared software frameworks or platforms.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending and health savings accounts; life, short‑term, and long‑term disability insurance; paid time off and holidays; employee referral program; 401(k); social events; and on‑site health and wellness programs.

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, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, 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.

We hold more than 65 patents related to cavity ring‑down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology, delivering 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, sexual orientation, or disability. We strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities.