Senior Software Engineer, Scientific Instrumentation

Posted yesterday

oxford instrumentsSanta Barbara (CA)

Software Developers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

SENIORITY

Lead

SALARY

$150,000 - $180,000 annually

Apply

About the role

Senior Software Engineer, Scientific Instrumentation

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (Hybrid)

About the Role: Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help develop the next generation of software for our Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) systems. This role focuses on scientific instrumentation, hardware integration, automation, and instrument control. You will work closely with scientists, product managers, and engineering teams to develop software that enables advanced nanoscale measurement, automation, and data acquisition capabilities. The ideal candidate has strong C# development expertise and experience building software for complex hardware-based systems such as scientific instruments, semiconductor equipment, robotics, industrial automation, medical devices, or test and measurement platforms.

Responsibilities:

Design, develop, test, and maintain software for AFM systems (Atomic Force Microscopy Systems.)Contribute to the ongoing development of our Ergo software platform.
Develop software for instrument control, automation, and data acquisition.
Design and implement system integration and remote operation.
Collaborate with scientists and engineers to develop new instrument capabilities and measurement workflows.
Troubleshoot complex software, hardware, and system-level issues.
Participate in software design and code reviews
Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field 8+ years of professional software development experience.
Modern c++ and C++/CLI experience
Experience with Protocol Buffers / gRPCStrong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with scientific instrumentation, microscopy, or imaging systems. Experience with motion control, sensors, hardware integration, or data acquisition systems. Experience with designing and interface specifications. Compensation$150,000 - $180,000 annually, depending on qualifications, skills, and experience.

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.