Full Stack Software Engineer Engineering

Anticipated start date:
As soon as possible

Closing Date: 23rd February 2026

Salary Band: £40k - £55k (depending on experience)

Full Time, Sheffield, UK

Do you want to build software that directly controls real-world scientific instruments? Do you want to work on products that scientists use every day to run experiments, generate data, and make discoveries? Do you enjoy owning problems end-to-end, from concept to deployed system, rather than working on isolated tickets?

At Unicorn Biotechnologies, we are building autonomous laboratory systems that combine hardware, biology, and software. We are looking for a Full Stack Software Engineer to help us turn complex laboratory workflows into intuitive, reliable software tools that delight our users.

We seek a full-stack engineer to help us design, prototype, and build our software products and platforms. You will work across all aspects of our software development - from building APIs and integrating Unicorn and 3rd party instruments and robotics, to owning web applications and helping to build new data-analysis tools.

You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big).

You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of software and information technology systems, thrive in collaborative teams under tight deadlines, and have demonstrable experience taking an idea from wireframe to a commercially deployed, scalable product. You are a born builder; you likely spend your evenings and weekends building new tools and upskilling on emerging technologies.

• A bias for action to build products with customer value.
• Engineers who care about what they build, not just how.
• Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords.
• Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude.
• People who take responsibility and follow problems through.
• Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter.
• Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed.

As a Full Stack Software Engineer at Unicorn, you will build and maintain scientist-facing software products and internal tooling that sit at the heart of our platform.

You will work closely with our science, electronics, and mechanical engineering teams to design and ship software that:

• Controls and monitors laboratory instruments and autonomous equipment.
• Enables data analysis and visualisation.
• Integrates AI-driven tools into real experimental workflows.
• Streamlines internal operations across R&D, quality, and product development.

You will report directly to our Engineering team lead, who sets overall product direction and technical strategy. Within that framework, you will have significant autonomy and creative freedom to design systems, propose solutions, and take ownership of problems from first principles through to deployment. This is a hands-on, product-focused role for a strong generalist who enjoys working across the stack and working closely with real users.

The startup journey is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years.

• Design and build scientist-facing web applications for controlling laboratory instruments and autonomous systems.
• Develop new software tools and products that support data analysis, experimentation, and AI-driven workflows.
• Build and maintain backend services and APIs in support of product features.
• Develop internal tooling to support product development and operations (e.g., integrating ERP, accounting systems, and LIMS for automated quality control)
• Work closely with Unicorn’s science team daily to understand workflows and translate real needs into robust software.
• Interface with real-world users and paying customers to gather feedback and iterate rapidly.
• Collaborate with hardware and embedded systems engineers, including interfacing with machine control systems.
• Contribute to software used in cGxP-adjacent contexts, including supporting regulatory compliance where required.

• A pragmatic, builder’s mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving.
• Demonstrated experience building and shipping production software.
• Strong proficiency in Python and React (or equivalent modern frameworks).
• Comfort working across the stack and owning features end-to-end.
• Experience designing clean, maintainable systems rather than just implementing tickets.
• Ability to work closely with non-software engineers and domain experts.
• Willingness to engage with users, take feedback, and iterate quickly.
• Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept,…