Scientific Software Engineer

We are recruiting for a talented and experienced Software Engineer to help develop a novel optical sensing platform for environmental monitoring. 

Within the technical team, you will:

• Drive the design, development, testing and maintenance of the core control and acquisition software for Mode Labs’ sensor platform.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define software interfaces and integrate software components with instrument hardware and electronics.
• Develop data analysis and visualisation tools for real-time data interpretation and offline analysis.
• Maintain comprehensive software documentation, manage version control and a bug/ issue tracking system.

Requirements

You will have a technical background in software development for scientific instrumentation with a degree or equivalent industrial experience in physical sciences who will thrive working as part of a small passionate team.

You will be able to demonstrate that you have most of the following (desired experience), languages are given as examples and are not restrictive: 

• Relevant industrial experience in the development of software for the automation, data acquisition and control of scientific instrumentation.   
• Experience in designing and implementing data analysis and visualisation tools (e.g. Python, R, Julia). 
• Experience developing software for hardware/ instrument control (e.g. C++, C, Rust).
• Experience preparing software for prototyping electronics IO (e.g. Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
• Experience in software deployment, version control and unit/ integration tests.
• Working knowledge of electronics, software and optics domains.

Senior positions may be considered for those with additional experience:

• A background in spectroscopy and optics.
• Experience in defining specifications for electronics control systems and liaising with external electronics suppliers. 
• Experience in functional user interface design for systems control.
• Experience working in an SME/ Start-up environment. 

Benefits

Salary will be dependent upon level of skill and experience. We therefore anticipate the following:

• £48k – £54k for applicants with experience working within a research or technical environment with the desired experience required.
• £54k – £60k for applicants who can also demonstrate the additional experience listed above. 

Other Benefits: 

• Employee share option scheme
• 9-day fortnight work pattern (every 2nd Friday off)
• Flexible working arrangements where possible
• 25 days paid leave and bank holidays
• Annual discretionary training allowance
• Company matched pension contributions up to 5%. 
• Travel to work loan scheme

These roles are advertised as full-time, however, part-time would be considered at a minimum of 0.8 FTE. We are pleased to accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate but, as a small company focussed on technology development, we find hands-on system and collaboration time to be highly valuable, so encourage time spent in the office and expect this when required.

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Job Closing Date: Until position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as received so this vacancy may be closed earlier; early applications are therefore encouraged.

Interview Dates: Starting March 2025

Interview Process: Initial telephone/ video calls will be used for shortlisting candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview. The in-person interview may include a short technical assessment based on the above job description or a short presentation of previous experience. Candidates will be informed in advance of this.

Eligibility: Right to work in the UK required. We are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

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Our Company

Mode Labs, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, are developing an innovative remote autonomous chemical sensor platform to address the growing need to understand and monitor the world around us.

As part of our initial mission, Mode Labs are targeting the development of a remotely deployable sensor to act within the water quality market and address the unmet and growing needs of environmental legislation across the country and beyond. Our Vision is to bring chemical understanding outside of the laboratory, delivering clear and concise measurement data where it is needed most. Precision sensing, anytime, anywhere.