{"id":952605,"url":"https://alion.io/job/picarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy","title":"Senior Software Engineer - Spectroscopy","company":{"id":685604,"name":"Picarro","domain":"picarro.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/picarro","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":88,"open_postings":17,"ghost_share":0.118,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":101,"computed_at":"2026-11-08T05:47:12Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Santa Clara, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":140000,"max":180000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":180000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"Git","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Docker","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-01T18:57:59Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-02","last_verified_at":"2026-11-08T11:16:43Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":67,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":67},"description":"Title: Senior Software Engineer - Spectroscopy\n Location: Santa Clara, CA \nJob Term: Full-Time, On-site\nThe Opportunity: \nPicarro is pioneering a unique confluence of hardware, software and cloud-based computing unlike anything being done today. By manufacturing the precision instruments at the core of this technology as well as developing the algorithms that enable cogent information to be derived from the data, we are transforming how world-class scientific, industrial and regulatory compliance measurements are made, and more importantly, who makes them.\nWe are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to play a key role in the architecture, development, and deployment of the software platforms that power Picarro’s next-generation analytical instruments. This individual will work closely with systems, electrical, firmware, optical, manufacturing, and product teams to develop robust, scalable software solutions spanning embedded Linux systems, instrument control, data acquisition, automation, and cloud-connected applications.\nThe ideal candidate combines strong software engineering expertise with a demonstrated ability to work on complex scientific instrumentation. Candidates with prior experience in spectroscopy, laser-based measurement systems, analytical instrumentation, or scientific software development are strongly preferred.\nKey Responsibilities\nLead software architecture, design, implementation, and maintenance for instrument control and data acquisition systems.\nDevelop high-reliability software running on Linux-based embedded platforms.\nDesign and implement software interfaces between instrument hardware, FPGA/firmware subsystems, and higher-level applications.\nDevelop APIs, drivers, services, and libraries supporting next-generation spectrometer and analyzer platforms.\nCollaborate with systems, optical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers to define software requirements and system architectures.\nDrive software quality through code reviews, automated testing, continuous integration, and software validation activities.\nInvestigate and resolve complex system integration issues involving software, firmware, hardware, and networking.\nLead architectural decisions that improve scalability, maintainability, and manufacturability across product families.\nDevelop tools and automation supporting manufacturing, calibration, testing, and field diagnostics.\nParticipate in product planning, risk assessment, design reviews, and technical decision-making.\nMentor junior engineers and establish software development best practices.\nContribute to the development of cloud connectivity, remote monitoring, and data management capabilities where applicable.\nRequired Qualifications\nBS, MS or PhD degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.\n8+ years of professional software development experience.\nStrong proficiency in Python, C and modern C++.\nFamiliarity with computer architecture fundamentals including caches, buses, memory controllers, DMA, interrupts, and low-level hardware interactions.\nExperience developing software on Linux platforms.\nExperience with multi-threaded and distributed systems.\nExperience interfacing software with hardware, embedded systems, or scientific instrumentation.\nStrong understanding of software architecture, object-oriented design, and design patterns.\nExperience with source control systems such as Git and modern development workflows.\nExceptional debugging, problem-solving, and analytical skills.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience developing software for analytical instruments, laboratory automation, semiconductor equipment, or industrial systems.\nPrior experience developing software for spectroscopy-based instruments, analytical instrumentation, optical systems, or scientific measurement platforms.\nUnderstanding of spectroscopic techniques such as Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS), Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis, or related measurement technologies.\nExperience working with scientific data processing, signal analysis, calibration algorithms, or spectral analysis.\nFamiliarity with Linux kernel drivers and low-level device communication.\nExperience with FPGA-based systems and hardware/software integration.\nExperience with PCIe, Ethernet, USB, SPI, I²C, CAN, or other hardware communication protocols.\nExperience with Buildroot, and Linux distributions.\nExperience with cloud services, remote diagnostics, and IoT architectures.\nFamiliarity with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and software deployment automation.\nExperience with data analysis, signal processing, or scientific computing.\nKnowledge of regulatory and quality-system environments.\nThe base salary range for this full-time position is $140K to $180K. Our total compensation packages includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity.Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.\nWe offer a comprehensive benefit package including:\nMedical, Dental, and Vision insurance\nFlexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans\nLife, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance\nPaid Time Off and Paid Holidays\nEmployee Referral Program\n401K\nSocial events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)\nOn-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)\nAbout Picarro:\nWe are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.\nAt Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. \nAt Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at  for assistance.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7127,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Equity","Vision insurance","Wellness"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Laboratory Equipment","Environmental Science","Test & Measurement Instruments"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-16T02:10:55Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"adverts_offering_sponsorship_24m":0,"sanctioned_now":false,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 8 · green card filings: 4","filings_12m":8,"filings_prev_12m":5,"green_card_filings_12m":4,"median_offered_wage_usd":164167,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-11-08T10:45:15+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":4}],"liveness":{"score":61,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.851,"p_room":0.72,"age_days":67,"expected_fill_days":101,"reasons":["conf:2","win:mid","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-11-08T05:47:12Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":180000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/picarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/picarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-08T12:33:16Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":26688,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-09T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":685604},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=685604"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fpicarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fpicarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fpicarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/picarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fpicarro-senior-software-engineer-spectroscopy"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":952605}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"picarro.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":952605},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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