At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the architectural evolution of robotics and hardware abstraction at Chemify.
- Company: Join Chemify, a pioneering company revolutionising chemistry with AI and robotics.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, direct influence on tech strategy, and opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with ambitious projects at the forefront of technology.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital chemistry and make a real impact in science and medicine.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in embedded C++, strong systems thinking, and experience with robotics middleware.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: Glasgow or London (King's Cross)
Workstyle: Hybrid
Reports to: CTO
About Chemify
Chemify is revolutionising chemistry. We are creating a future where the synthesis of previously unimaginable molecules, drugs, and materials is instantly accessible. By combining AI, robotics, and the world's largest continually expanding database of chemical programs, we are accelerating chemical discovery to improve quality of life and extend the reach of humanity.
Our newly opened Chemifarm facility in Glasgow operates a growing fleet of advanced robotic systems that automate synthesis, optimisation, and library generation. As we scale up to globally distributed facilities, we are undertaking a foundational transformation of how software and hardware interact across our platform.
The Role
We are seeking a Principal Robotics Architect to lead one of the most critical technical evolutions in Chemify's history. Sitting within the Office of the CTO, you will act as the architectural bridge between Hardware Engineering and Software Engineering, shaping how our robots, control systems, and cloud services work together as a coherent whole.
Your mission is to define a robust Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) that enables our universal chemical code (xDL) to run reliably across multiple generations of robotic platforms. You will help transform our systems from bespoke scientific instruments into intelligent, safe, and continuously updatable edge computing platforms that can operate at scale.
If you enjoy problem solving complex technical challenges that blend system architecture, embedded engineering, distributed systems, and strategic leadership, are a natural communicator and are energized by working closely with scientists using cutting edge technologies, then we'd love to welcome you to our team.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
- Define a clear, contract-first architecture that cleanly separates responsibilities between cloud services and embedded control systems.
- Design a resilient, event-driven control backbone (NATS/MQTT) capable of supporting real-time operation across a distributed fleet of robotic platforms.
- Move the intelligence to the edge. Establish a principled division between cloud-level intent and edge-level execution, ensuring predictable and safe behaviour even under network latency or connectivity constraints.
- Drive Software-Defined Robotics
- Lead the design of edge-first safety systems, where critical thermal, pressure, and operational limits are enforced close to the hardware.
- Develop high-fidelity simulation and digital twin capabilities, allowing large-scale testing and validation of chemical workflows before any physical execution.
- Modernise embedded engineering practices across the organisation, including secure firmware delivery, structured testing, over the air updates (OTA) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) Ci/CD pipelines.
- Shape Technical Strategy
- Work closely with Hardware, Software, and Scientific teams to align architecture with both near-term delivery and long-term platform scalability.
- Influence technical roadmaps, standards, and architectural decisions across the organisation.
- Serve as a technical leader and mentor, raising the bar for system design, reliability, and safety across Chemify.
About You
You are a rare hybrid: equally at home deep in embedded C++ as you are designing distributed systems that span edge devices and cloud infrastructure. You understand that in robotics, reliability and latency are not just performance concerns — they are fundamental safety constraints.
We expect you to bring:
- Embedded Mastery: 8+ years of C/C++ in safety-critical or physically consequential domains such as robotics, automotive, aerospace, or industrial automation.
- Strong systems thinking: Demonstrated experience designing clear boundaries between edge devices and cloud services in complex, real-world systems.
- Robotics middleware experience: Familiarity with modern robotics or real-time control frameworks and patterns (ROS 2 or DDS-base systems).
- Distributed systems: Expert-level knowledge of Python, REST, GraphQL, gRPC, protobuf, Docker, Ansible and message buses (NATS, Kafka or RabbitMQ).
- Architectural judgement: The ability to make principled trade-offs between performance, safety, maintainability, and scalability.
- Collaborative leadership: You can align chemists, mechanical engineers, and software engineers around a shared technical vision and practical path forward.
Why Join Chemify?
- Impact: You will help build the infrastructure that enables digital chemistry at scale — accelerating discovery, improving reproducibility, and unlocking new possibilities in science and medicine.
- Autonomy: Reporting directly to the CTO, you will have meaningful influence over the technical direction and architectural strategy of a Series B deep-tech rocket ship.
- Ambition: We are scaling rapidly, investing in world-class infrastructure, and tackling problems that sit at the frontier of robotics, AI, and chemistry. You will have the resources and mandate to build the right foundations for the future.
Principal Architect – Robotics & Hardware Abstraction February 13, 2026 in Glasgow employer: Chemify Ltd
At Chemify, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our Glasgow facility is at the forefront of robotics and AI in chemistry, providing employees with unique opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a significant impact in the field. With a commitment to autonomy and ambitious projects, we empower our team members to shape the future of digital chemistry while enjoying a hybrid workstyle that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Architect – Robotics & Hardware Abstraction February 13, 2026 in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the robotics and hardware space. Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your projects, especially those involving embedded C++ or robotics. Share it on platforms like GitHub or your personal website. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do before they even meet you.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Chemify's mission and values. Understand how your experience aligns with their goals in robotics and AI. Tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their vision of revolutionising chemistry.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply anywhere; apply through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested in Chemify and helps us keep track of your application. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on any new roles that pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect – Robotics & Hardware Abstraction February 13, 2026 in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with embedded C++, robotics, and system architecture. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Principal Architect – Robotics & Hardware Abstraction.
Showcase Your Projects:Include specific examples of projects where you've designed or implemented hardware abstraction layers or worked on distributed systems. This will help us understand your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and technical expertise, as we appreciate direct communication.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Chemify!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chemify Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your embedded C++ skills and robotics middleware, especially ROS2. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in safety-critical environments and how you've tackled complex system designs.
✨Showcase Your Systems Thinking
Prepare to explain how you would architect the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). Think about how to clearly separate responsibilities between cloud services and embedded control systems, and be ready to share examples from your previous work.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Principal Architect, you'll need to align various teams. Practice articulating your technical vision in a way that resonates with chemists, mechanical engineers, and software engineers alike. Use simple language to explain complex concepts.
✨Demonstrate Leadership
Be prepared to discuss how you've influenced technical roadmaps and architectural decisions in your past roles. Share specific instances where you mentored others or raised the bar for system design and reliability.
