Software Engineer Greenhouse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:
Picarro is a leader in optical spectroscopy, seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to architect and develop low-level software for their advanced Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) instrumentation. The role involves leading technical initiatives, developing robust software, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver cohesive system solutions.
Responsibilities:
• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of Linux-based systems, including device drivers, services, and communication interfaces
• Define and maintain system-level interfaces between firmware, FPGA modules, and high-level applications
• Drive platform-level decisions related to performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability
• Champion best practices for software design, code quality, and modular architecture
• Develop robust, high-performance C/C++ code for Linux.
• Experience with real-time operating systems is desirable.
• Contribute to board bring-up, hardware abstraction layers, and low-level device integration
• Troubleshoot complex system-level issues spanning hardware, firmware, and software boundaries
• Implement comprehensive unit and system-level testing to ensure high product reliability
• Work closely with hardware, firmware, and application teams to deliver cohesive system solutions
• Partner with product and systems engineering teams to evaluate trade-offs and optimize designs
• Engage with external vendors or consultants for specialized firmware and driver components
• Mentor engineers in advanced embedded development techniques and system design principles
• Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader within the embedded systems domain
• Influence technical direction and elevate engineering standards across the organization
• Drive adoption of modern embedded development practices, including CI/CD, automated testing, and version control
• Participate in and lead technical reviews—ensuring architectural integrity and alignment with long-term goals
• Ensure compliance with internal quality metrics and external regulatory standards
Qualifications:
Required:
• BS/MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 12+ years of experience in embedded systems software design and development, with proven success delivering complex, production-grade systems
• Demonstrated experience leading major technical initiatives or system architectures within embedded platforms or instrumentation
• Expert in C/C++ programming for embedded Linux and/or real-time systems
• Deep understanding of Linux kernel, device drivers, and hardware bring-up
• Experience with communication with embedded HW and FW, including microcontrollers and FPGAs
• Experience with Python, including bindings to C / C++, middleware development, and scripting for automation and testing
• Extensive experience with PCIe device driver development, including FW integration, register mapping, DMA, and interrupts
• Experience with system-level performance tuning, debugging, and optimization
• Proficient with modern tools: Git, Jira, CI/CD pipelines, and embedded debugging environments
• Strong ability to lead by influence—aligning teams around technical direction without formal management authority
• Excellent communication and documentation skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving
Preferred:
• Experience developing software for laser-based systems, analytical instrumentation, or similar complex hardware platforms
• Knowledge of software compliance and regulatory requirements
• Prior experience improving system-level design processes and mentoring teams on scalable low-level and mixed firmware / software architectures
Company:
Picarro produces gas analyzers for a variety of markets, including atmospheric science, greenhouse gas measurement, air quality, and others. Founded in 1998, the company is headquartered in Santa Clara, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.