Senior Software Engineer

Business Unit: Oxford Instruments AFM

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (hybrid)

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer

Reports to: Software Engineering Manager

Senior Software Engineer, Scientific Instrumentation

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (Hybrid)

About the Role

Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help develop the next generation of software for our Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) systems.

This role focuses on scientific instrumentation, hardware integration, automation, and instrument control. You will work closely with scientists, product managers, and engineering teams to develop software that enables advanced nanoscale measurement, automation, and data acquisition capabilities.

The ideal candidate has strong C# development expertise and experience building software for complex hardware-based systems such as scientific instruments, semiconductor equipment, robotics, industrial automation, medical devices, or test and measurement platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for AFM systems Atomic Force Microscopy Systems.

• Contribute to the ongoing development of our Ergo software platform.

• Develop software for instrument control, automation, and data acquisition.

• Design and implement system integration and remote operation.

• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to develop new instrument capabilities and measurement workflows.

• Troubleshoot complex software, hardware, and system-level issues.

• Participate in software design and code reviews

• Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

• 8+ years of professional software development experience.

• Modern c++ and C++/CLI experience

• Experience with Protocol Buffers / gRPC

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with scientific instrumentation, microscopy, or imaging systems.

• Experience with motion control, sensors, hardware integration, or data acquisition systems.

• Experience with designing and interface specifications.

Compensation

$150,000 - $180,000 annually, depending on qualifications, skills, and experience.