At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop cutting-edge lab instrument software and integrate AI-driven solutions.
- Company: Join Lila Sciences, a pioneer in AI-enabled laboratory technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, flexible time off, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on science with innovative technology and collaborative teams.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in Python or C#, problem-solving skills, and strong communication.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Your Impact at LILA
Lila Sciences is hiring a Software Engineer to develop the next generation of Lab Instrument Integration Software, which is a foundational component of our AI-enabled laboratory. We are looking for self-motivated problem solvers who enjoy sitting at the often tricky interfaces between software, science, and hardware to deliver powerful solutions that will accelerate science.
What You'll Be Building
- Lab Instrument Software Development: Develop robust software to enable communication between robotics and automation hardware (e.g., robotic arms, liquid handlers, sensors) and the control software, ensuring reliable and efficient hardware integration.
- System Integration: Seamlessly integrate lab instruments into our Next Generation, AI-enabled lab automation infrastructure, managing complex interfaces between cloud and edge infrastructure, and device execution.
- Testing and Debugging: Perform rigorous testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of drivers to identify, isolate, and rectify performance issues, bugs, and compatibility challenges.
- Technical Documentation: Create, update, and maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for driver interfaces, APIs, and integration methods, facilitating ease of use by internal teams and end-users.
- Collaboration and Support: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, software developers, product managers, and end-users, providing technical support and resolving integration challenges promptly.
- AI driven development: Work with state of the art coding models and development infrastructure to improve the speed and quality of software delivery.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
- Proficiency in Python, C#/.NET, or other programming languages or frameworks is essential.
- Demonstrated ability in debugging and problem-solving, preferably hardware-software integration issues.
- Strong analytical thinking and a structured approach to troubleshooting and resolving complex technical problems.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
Bonus Points For
- A strong interest in or background in science.
- Experience in developing software for laboratory automation systems or robotics used in life sciences, pharmaceutical, or similar industries.
- Experience working directly with end-users (e.g., scientists, laboratory technicians), using feedback to drive product improvements.
- Experience with hardware integration and device driver development, especially in robotics or automation contexts.
- Proficiency with version control systems, especially Git.
Compensation
We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.
U.S. Benefits: Full-time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.
International Benefits: Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.
About LILA
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves. LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy.
Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
We’re All In
Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
A Note to Agencies
Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.
Software Engineer I, Instrument Software in Cambridge employer: Lilasciences
At Lila Sciences, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Principal or Principal Software Engineer in our AI Lab Execution System team, you will have the opportunity to lead cutting-edge projects that directly impact scientific discovery while enjoying comprehensive benefits, flexible time off, and a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and educational assistance. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions will shape the future of AI in science, all while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to solving humanity's greatest challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer I, Instrument Software in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Lilasciences or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Lilasciences.
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We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer I, Instrument Software in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Lilasciences.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Lilasciences and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lilasciences
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Lilasciences uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
