Senior Software Engineer

Rare Cyte is a Life Sciences Precision Biology company focused on the development of novel technology and products in spatial biology and liquid biopsy. Our platforms have been adopted by leading research institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide for translational research, drug discovery and clinical programs. The breakthrough Orion technology is revolutionary in the spatial biology market, enabling tissue analysis with 20 channel whole-slide multiplex imaging in a single run.

We’re looking for a full-stack Senior Software Engineer to join our team and make a direct impact on our product and customers. This role will build a web-based platform that runs scans and manages and analyzes the resulting image data. Responsibilities also include working across the whole stack:
Django services, distributed image processing, and a high-performance browser viewer for large microscopy images.

Our stack:
Vue 3, Pinia, Tailwind CSS, Python/Django, Django REST Framework, Celery, PostgreSQL, Redis, and Docker on Linux. We use Azure for CI/CD.

• Build complex client-side applications, including real-time instrument control, high-performance image viewing, asynchronous processing, and data management
• Be responsible for features from design through deployment, often starting from incomplete or evolving requirements and working with scientists, engineers, and product stakeholders to clarify needs and adapt as they change
• Share knowledge with teammates and help evaluate new technologies to keep our stack modern

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field
• 5 - 8 years of experience building production software
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including testing, code review, and maintainable design
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex systems
• Experience with Python web services and APIs (Django and Django REST Framework strongly preferred) and modern JavaScript/Type Script (Vue preferred)
• Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL
• Ability to make reasonable decisions with incomplete information and adjust course as requirements change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional team

• Experience with Web Sockets, Celery or other task queues, Redis
• Experience with scientific or image data in Python (Num Py, Sci Py, OpenCV, TIFF/OME-TIFF)
• Experience with browser graphics or large-image viewing (WebGL, Open Seadragon, Web Workers)
• Interest in and experience with front-end design, especially for scientific applications

Base salary range spans a Software Engineer up to Senior Software Engineer*

Base Salary Range: $150,000 - $170,000 (annualized)

* Determining a base wage and title will be based on several factors which include skill set, level of education, experience and qualifications, as well as Rare Cyte internal equity. Some roles may also qualify for additional compensation such as bonus, commission, stock options and travel allowance.

At Rare Cyte, we support our employees in and out of the office.  to view a list of benefits offered to eligible employees.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Rare Cyte Human Resources at

Rare Cyte is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. If there are future COVID-19 or similar pandemic outbreaks, Rare Cyte will follow applicable recommendations or requirements from the Washington State Department of Health and other relevant public health authorities regarding vaccine implementation and workplace safety measures for all team members. Vaccination may become a condition of employment where required or deemed necessary to maintain a safe workplace.

Employees or applicants who are unable to comply due to a qualifying medical condition, disability, or sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for a reasonable accommodation through Human Resources at