{"id":2829138,"url":"https://alion.io/job/monarch-quantum-principal-software-systems-architect","title":"Principal Software Systems Architect","company":{"id":678365,"name":"Monarch Quantum","domain":"monarchquantum.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/monarchquantum","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workable","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":38,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":57,"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Diego, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":175000,"max":225000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":225000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C#","optional":false},{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-19T01:44:52Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-19","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T02:17:19Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"Join our fast-paced and passionate Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test team as a Principal Software Systems Architect. You will be the bridge between our photonic systems architecture and our software team, translating complex optical and laser system requirements into clear, testable software requirements, then owning delivery of the GUI and SDK that our customers use to operate those systems. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll work on cutting-edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and build the software systems engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:\nDevelop a working command of the photonic system architecture, including laser control, frequency stabilization, power distribution, and system monitoring, well enough to translate system behavior into software requirements. \nPartner with the Photonic Systems Architect to decompose and flow down system requirements into software requirements, use cases, and acceptance criteria.\nDefine the software architecture for system control, data acquisition, monitoring, and user interaction, including the layering between firmware, device drivers, control logic, SDK, and GUI\nDefine and control software interfaces through interface control documents (ICDs), API specifications, and data models, working directly with electrical and firmware engineers on hardware/software interfaces.\nServe as project engineer for the GUI and SDK: own scope, schedule, priorities, and release plans, and drive the software team to delivery.\nEstablish software verification strategies, including test plans, requirements traceability, and system-level integration testing on real hardware.\nLead system-level troubleshooting across the hardware/firmware/software boundary, and drive root cause analysis and corrective action.\nDefine customer-facing SDK and GUI functionality in partnership with product and applications teams, balancing usability, performance, and system protection.\nPresent and defend software architecture and maturity at technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to leadership and customers.\nEstablish software development practices, including version control, code review, configuration management, and release processes, that scale with the company.\nMentor engineers and build a culture of technical rigor, ownership, and cross-functional collaboration.\nRequirements\nThis position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). \nExperience:\nBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (advanced degree preferred). \nMinimum 10 years of experience in software development for hardware-centric systems, with at least 5 years in an architecture or technical lead role.\nSkills:\nDemonstrated expertise in:\nSoftware architecture for instrument control, test and measurement, or embedded hardware systems \nRequirements development, flow-down, and verification for software • Hardware/software and firmware/software interface definition • API and SDK design for external users.\nGUI development for complex technical systems.\nProven track record of delivering production software for complex electro-optical, scientific, or precision hardware. \nExperience leading software projects end to end, including scope, schedule, and release management.\nProficiency in languages common to instrument control, such as Python, C/C++, or C#.\nAbility to learn deep technical domains quickly and communicate with physicists and hardware engineers in their language.\nExcellent communication and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions across teams.\n Experience with laser systems, photonics, quantum systems, or precision metrology is a strong plus.\nExperience with communication protocols and control systems (e.g., Ethernet, USB, serial, PID loops) is a plus.\nStartup Mindset:\nYou're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats. \nYou're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change. \nBenefits\nThe expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.\nAs a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:\nMedical, Dental, and Vision insurance \nFidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching \n20 paid time off (PTO) days per year \n13 paid company holidays \n9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off) \nMonarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4963,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Quantum Computing Hardware","Optics & Photonic 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