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Physical Computing Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$201K/yr

POSITION SPECIFICS We are seeking a Research Computing Software Engineer to join the Visualization and Decision Support Division (VDS) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will ...

Citizenship) KEY SUMMARY We are seeking an innovative and driven HPC (High-Performance Computing) Software Engineer to develop and optimize software solutions for cutting-edge computational ...

Citizenship) KEY SUMMARYWe are seeking an innovative and driven HPC (High-Performance Computing) Software Engineer to develop and optimize software solutions for cutting-edge computational ...

Citizenship) KEY SUMMARYWe are seeking an innovative and driven HPC (High-Performance Computing) Software Engineer to develop and optimize software solutions for cutting-edge computational ...

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Physical Computing Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do physical computing software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for physical computing software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Physical Computing Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Physical Computing Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, electronics knowledge, and experience with embedded systems, generally supported by a degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with microcontroller platforms (such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi), relevant programming languages (like C/C++ or Python), and hardware design tools is typically required. Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential to bridge the gap between hardware and software, enabling innovative, functional, and reliable interactive systems.

How does a Physical Computing Software Engineer typically collaborate with hardware engineers during a project?

Physical Computing Software Engineers work closely with hardware engineers to integrate software with physical devices, such as sensors, microcontrollers, or embedded systems. Collaboration often involves joint design sessions, debugging hardware-software interactions, and iterative prototyping. Regular meetings and clear documentation help ensure that both hardware constraints and software functionalities are aligned, resulting in robust and efficient solutions. This teamwork is essential for troubleshooting issues that arise when digital code interacts with real-world devices.

What does a Physical Computing Software Engineer do?

A Physical Computing Software Engineer designs and develops software that interacts with physical devices, sensors, and hardware systems. They create programs that enable computers to sense and respond to the physical world, often bridging the gap between digital and analog components. Their work includes writing code for microcontrollers, integrating hardware with software platforms, and prototyping interactive systems used in fields like robotics, IoT, and smart devices. These engineers collaborate with hardware designers and often work with languages such as C, Python, and JavaScript. Their goal is to enable seamless interaction between humans, computers, and the environment.
Infographic showing various Physical Computing Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Temporary. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

Research Computing Software Engineer

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Penn State University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 99 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

149th of 532 rated colleges and universities


Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are seeking a Research Computing Software Engineer to join the Visualization and Decision Support Division (VDS) of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will work within classified research and development and cloud computing (HPC) environments to develop and maintain software solutions to support the computational and data analysis needs of the research community; design, code, test, and optimize software systems that enhance research capabilities and streamline computational workflows. The mission of VDS is to research, develop, and apply technical innovations that provide Decision Advantage to our sponsors through the use of data science, artificial intelligence, simulation, knowledge communication and virtual collaboration technologies. In this role, you will direct a team of engineers and researchers to fulfill this mission.
The position will be located in either State College, PA or Reston, VA and is not eligible for remote work.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
  • Develop, deploy, enhance, and maintain software applications and tools to support research computing needs
  • Implement efficient algorithms and data structures to handle large datasets and complex computations
  • Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code using modern programming languages
  • Integrate software solutions with existing research computing infrastructure, including cloud platforms
  • Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to ensure seamless integration and functionality of software tools within the research environment
  • Analyze and optimize the performance of software applications, ensuring they meet the high demands of computational research
  • Identify and address performance bottlenecks, memory usage issues, and other technical challenges
  • Provide technical support and troubleshooting for software issues, assisting researchers in overcoming obstacles
  • Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software tools, including user guides, technical specifications, and troubleshooting procedures
  • Stay up to date with advancements in software engineering and computational research technologies

Additional responsibilities of higher level positions include:
  • Propose and implement new features, improvements, and updates to enhance the functionality and usability of software tools
  • Lead or participate in software development projects, including planning, development, testing, and deployment phases
  • Manage project timelines, deliverables, and milestones to ensure successful and timely completion of software initiatives
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Required skills and/or experience include:
  • Code analysis
  • Cross-team collaboration
  • Data Analysis
  • Presentation Skills
  • Programming
  • Software architecture
  • Software development
  • Software testing
  • Technology acumen
  • Trend analysis

Preferred skills/experience areas include:
  • Active or recently active TS/SCI clearance
  • A Master's degree in Geography is preferred

Your work location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA or Reston, VA.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Research Computing Software Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research Computing Software Engineer - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None
ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $97,100.00 - $164,000.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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