Principal Systems & Controls Software Engineer

About SPhotonix - https://sphotonix.com/

SPhotonix is redefining data storage by developing revolutionary 5D optical systems inside fused silica. We are building state-of-the-art R&D laboratories to create exabyte-scale digital storage and advanced polarization-control optics. We are looking for a visionary Software Architect to transform our research-grade environment into a robust, industrial-scale platform.

The Role

This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on

hardware control equipment and scientific instrument software

, not generic SaaS. You will architect the "brain" of our machines (hardware abstraction, machine coordination, real-time automation), leading the transition from a Python-heavy R&D stack to a modular, production-ready system (C++/Rust/C).

Key Responsibilities

• Architectrure & Technical Ownership:

Own the control architecture across our optical machine platforms — designing a modular stack spanning HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer), control logic, data processing, and API layers.

• Hardware Integration:

Build and maintain integrations for Aerotech motion stages, femtosecond lasers, Zeiss high-speed cameras, and National Instruments DAQ systems, including multi-device synchronization and machine state models.

• Strategic Refactoring:

Lead the evolution of experimental Python code into high-performance, deterministic systems (C++/Rust/C) for industrial productization.

• Automation Development:

Build proprietary laser-machining software featuring recipe-driven control, calibration/alignment flows, and machine state models, guiding the integration of image/signal processing algorithms into the control stack.

• Technical Leadership:

Set engineering standards for testing and telemetry, establish best practice processes, oversee FPGA/embedded work, and mentor and grow a high-performing on-site engineering team.

Qualifications

• Experience:

6+ years building software for complex physical systems (semiconductor tools, robotics, industrial automation, or laser systems).

• Languages:

Expert-level

Python

plus deep proficiency in at least one system language (

C++, Rust, or C

).

• Hardware Fluency:

Proven experience with multi-device synchronization, machine state machines, and reading schematics to debug hardware/software interactions.

• Infrastructure:

Hands-on experience integrating vendor SDKs/APIs (controllers, cameras, signal generators).

• Process Ownership:

Experience establishing engineering processes (testing frameworks, telemetry, CI/CD) in a hardware-software environment.

• Education:

Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Electronics, Robotics, or a related field.



Nice-to-Have

• FPGA/HDL/Embedded firmware development.
• Image and signal processing (DSP) or machine vision.
• Prior experience with

Aerotech Automation1

,

NI

, or

Zeiss

ecosystems.

• Background in photonics or laser micromachining.