Full Stack Software Engineer Engineering in Sheffield

Anticipated start date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 23rd February 2026

Salary Band: £40k - £55k (depending on experience)

Full Time, Sheffield, UK

Do you want to build software that directly controls real-world scientific instruments? Do you want to work on products that scientists use every day to run experiments, generate data, and make discoveries? Do you enjoy owning problems end-to-end, from concept to deployed system, rather than working on isolated tickets?

At Unicorn Biotechnologies, we are building autonomous laboratory systems that combine hardware, biology, and software. We are looking for a Full Stack Software Engineer to help us turn complex laboratory workflows into intuitive, reliable software tools that delight our users.

You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfil our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world.

You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of software and information technology systems, thrive in collaborative teams under tight deadlines, and have demonstrable experience taking an idea from wireframe to a commercially deployed, scalable product. You are a born builder; you likely spend your evenings and weekends building new tools and upskilling on emerging technologies.

WE VALUE

• A bias for action to build products with customer value.
• Engineers who care about what they build, not just how.
• Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords.
• Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude.
• People who take responsibility and follow problems through.
• Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter.
• Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed.

THE ROLE

As a Full Stack Software Engineer at Unicorn, you will build and maintain scientist-facing software products and internal tooling that sit at the heart of our platform. You will work closely with our science, electronics, and mechanical engineering teams to design and ship software that:

• Controls and monitors laboratory instruments and autonomous equipment.
• Enables data analysis and visualisation.
• Integrates AI-driven tools into real experimental workflows.
• Streamlines internal operations across R&D, quality, and product development.

You will report directly to our Engineering team lead, who sets overall product direction and technical strategy. Within that framework, you will have significant autonomy and creative freedom to design systems, propose solutions, and take ownership of problems from first principles through to deployment. This is a hands-on, product-focused role for a strong generalist who enjoys working across the stack and working closely with real users.

The startup journey is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and build scientist-facing web applications for controlling laboratory instruments and autonomous systems.
• Develop new software tools and products that support data analysis, experimentation, and AI-driven workflows.
• Build and maintain backend services and APIs in support of product features.
• Develop internal tooling to support product development and operations (e.g., integrating ERP, accounting systems, and LIMS for automated quality control).
• Work closely with Unicorn’s science team daily to understand workflows and translate real needs into robust software.
• Interface with real-world users and paying customers to gather feedback and iterate rapidly.
• Collaborate with hardware and embedded systems engineers, including interfacing with machine control systems.
• Contribute to software used in cGxP-adjacent contexts, including supporting regulatory compliance where required.

NEED TO HAVE

• A pragmatic, builder’s mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving.
• Demonstrated experience building and shipping production software.
• Strong proficiency in Python and React (or equivalent modern frameworks).
• Comfort working across the stack and owning features end-to-end.
• Experience designing clean, maintainable systems rather than just implementing tickets.
• Ability to work closely with non-software engineers and domain experts.
• Willingness to engage with users, take feedback, and iterate quickly.
• Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept, prototyping, design for manufacture, verification/validation, and client delivery.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience interfacing with embedded systems (e.g., C/C++ for machine control or hardware integration).
• Experience working in or adjacent to regulated environments (e.g., CFR Part 11, GxP).
• Familiarity with data analysis workflows and scientific software.
• Proficiency using AI-assisted software engineering tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Gemini).
• Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team.
• Comfortable working in small, fast-moving startup environments.
• While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >3-5 years of industry experience.

BENEFITS

• Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment.
• The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - your products could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure.
• Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions.
• Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers.
• A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work.
• You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre.

ABOUT US

Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Submit your application here: https://forms.gle/MZ21XRnfM7RH85JH8. Please fill out the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: careers@unicornb.io.

Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.