Senior Engineer, System Automation (Subsystems)

Originally posted 9 November 2026 by the employer.

About the role

This role is responsible for designing and maintaining high-level Python control software for photonic, optical, electronic, and electro-optic subsystems, including large laser systems and related instrumentation. You will translate hardware workflows, operating conditions, constraints, and failure modes into reusable Python APIs, automation routines, and tests within an existing system automation framework.

What you'll do

• Design subsystem control abstractions and reusable Python APIs to operate hardware through the existing System Automation framework.
• Develop, test, and document automation routines that implement specified subsystem functionality and operating workflows.
• Collaborate with design leads and engineers to translate manual operating conditions, workflows, and constraints into clear control software requirements.
• Debug subsystem automation issues spanning Python code, hardware interfaces, instrumentation, data acquisition, and test setups.
• Support hardware bring-up and definition of subsystem operating procedures to convert manual steps into automated routines.

What you'll need

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of software engineering experience in hardware, scientific, automation, test, embedded, control, or laboratory systems.
• Strong Python software engineering skills for writing readable, tested, and maintainable software.
• Experience building APIs, automation workflows, instrument-control code, test code, or hardware-control software for complex systems.
• Experience working within existing software frameworks, following established design patterns, and participating in code reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to translate hardware workflows into software requirements, reusable routines, tests, documentation, and examples.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience automating complex photonic, optical, laser, RF, electronic, or electro-optic hardware.
• Familiarity with configuration files, SQL, data models, logs, dashboards, topology-aware systems, or control-system state models.
• Experience integrating with databases, observability tools, orchestration tools, internal APIs, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with calibration workflows, validation workflows, commissioning, lab automation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, or experimental control systems.
• Track record of improving software quality in concert with non-software engineers.

Skills: Python, automation, instrument control, APIs, electro-optics

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