Senior Electrical Engineer  

Location: Sana Clara, CA

Role Summary:

We’re hiring a Senior Electrical Engineer – Mixed-Signal & Digital Systems to design and deliver the next generation of cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) instruments. In this role, you will own mixed-signal electronics, schematic capture, and PCB layout, applying best practices in grounding, shielding, and signal integrity. You will also handle incremental firmware maintenance in close partnership with the embedded software architect and consultants. Your work will directly influence the precision, stability, and scalability of systems used worldwide in environmental, industrial, and scientific applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and validate mixed-signal circuits and PCBs for high-precision instrumentation
• Apply best practices in layout, grounding, shielding, and impedance control to minimize noise and interference
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout in Altium (or equivalent) and run mixed-signal simulations in SPICE or similar tools
• Debug and validate designs in the lab using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, VNAs, and other instrumentation
• Perform incremental maintenance of embedded firmware (e.g., driver updates, pin mappings, bring-up tweaks) in collaboration with the embedded architect
• Collaborate closely with optical, analog, and mechanical engineers to integrate electronics into complex systems
• Document designs, maintain revision control, and contribute to shared engineering standards

Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field
• 10+ years in mixed-signal circuit and PCB design for high-performance systems
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (Altium preferred)
• Experience with mixed-signal simulation (SPICE or equivalent)
• Strong grounding, shielding, and signal integrity practices for noise-sensitive systems
• Familiarity with FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog) and embedded C/C++ for maintenance and bring-up
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams

The base salary range for this full-time position is $170K to $180K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance. 

Senior Engineer, Firmware

Location: Santa Clara, CA (primarily onsite)

Group: Analyzer Product Group (APG), Engineering

Position Overview

As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you will design, develop, and debug embedded firmware for complex hardware systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware, systems, and software engineers, to support board bring-up, system integration, and product development from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded firmware using C and C++ in RTOS environments
• Lead board bring-up activities and support new hardware development
• Develop low-level firmware, including BSP, drivers, and hardware abstraction layers
• Architect system-level integration across hardware interfaces, sensing components, and communication protocols
• Configure devices using datasheets and technical documentation
• Perform testing and verification of firmware code
• Debug and resolve firmware and hardware/software integration issues using lab instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.)
• Implement and validate digital communication protocols, including I2C, SPI, PCIe, and SERDES
• Support system architecture design related to hardware interfaces and connectivity
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, integrating software and electronics

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of embedded firmware development experience
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems
• Experience with RTOS-based development
• FPGA experience 
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up and hardware debugging
• Experience with low-level programming (BSP, device drivers)
• Strong understanding of digital communication protocols (I2C, SPI, PCIe, SERDES)
• Ability to read and understand hardware schematics
• Experience using lab instruments such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
• Knowledge of Python for scripting or testing
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on multidisciplinary products integrating hardware and software
• Experience in Analytical Instrumentation

The base salary range for this full-time position is $180K to $200K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance. 

Systems Engineer - Data Analysis & Algorithms  

Company: Picarro
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Required (Master’s or PhD Preferred)

Position Overview

Picarro is seeking a Systems Engineer - Data Analysis & Algorithms to develop advanced data processing workflows, scientific algorithms, and analytical tools that support high-precision instrumentation systems. This role is ideal for candidates with strong Python programming skills, a solid foundation in mathematics and statistics, and experience working with scientific datasets in research or engineering environments.

The engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and optimize data analysis pipelines, custom scripts, and visualization tools that enable deeper insights into complex measurement systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Python-based data analysis tools, scripts, and Jupyter notebooks
• Design and implement algorithms for processing and interpreting scientific measurement data
• Create scalable workflows for data cleaning, transformation, and analysis
• Build high-quality data visualizations for scientific and engineering interpretation
• Support the development and execution of Picarro custom analysis frameworks and tools
• Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate data insights into system development
• Perform statistical analysis and mathematical modeling of experimental datasets
• Contribute to algorithm validation, benchmarking, and performance optimization
• Work within Agile development processes and version-controlled environments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field
• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis and algorithm development
• Hands-on experience with Jupyter notebooks and Python scripting
• Experience with scientific Python libraries:
• NumPy
• SciPy
• Pandas
• Matplotlib
• Strong foundation in mathematics and statistics
• Experience in data analysis, modeling, and visualization

Technical Skills

• Advanced Python programming for scientific and analytical applications
• Ability to develop reproducible data pipelines and analysis workflows
• Strong understanding of data structures and numerical methods
• Experience with scientific plotting and data visualization techniques
• Familiarity with software development tools and practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Git and collaborative software development workflows
• Exposure to Agile development methodologies
• Experience developing reusable analysis frameworks or scientific tools
• MS or PhD in a relevant technical or scientific discipline
• Experience working with instrumentation data or physical measurement systems
• Strong problem-solving and algorithm development skills

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:
 
We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.
 
At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.

Systems Software Engineer

Company: Picarro
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Required

Position Overview

Picarro is seeking a Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain robust software systems that support scientific instrumentation and data-driven applications. This role requires strong software engineering fundamentals, experience building reliable and maintainable systems in Python and Linux environments, and a solid understanding of software development best practices.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working across system layers—from application logic to data processing—and can contribute to both software infrastructure and analytical workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain systems-level software in Python
• Build reliable, testable, and maintainable code using modern software engineering practices
• Develop and maintain unit tests and automated test frameworks
• Work in collaborative Agile development environments using Git-based workflows
• Develop and optimize system components running on Linux-based platforms
• Build and support data pipelines, tools, and internal software frameworks
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams (hardware, systems, data, and science teams)
• Support debugging, performance tuning, and system reliability improvements
• Contribute to architecture decisions and software design reviews

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
• Strong proficiency in Python with experience building production-quality software
• Solid understanding of Linux operating systems and command-line tools
• Experience with collaborative software development (Git, code reviews, Agile workflows)
• Strong understanding of software engineering best practices (modularity, testing, documentation)
• Experience writing unit tests and building testable software systems

Technical Skills

• Advanced Python programming
• Strong experience with software development workflows (Git, branching, CI/CD concepts)
• Unit testing frameworks (pytest or equivalent)
• Linux system usage and scripting
• Familiarity with modern Python libraries and constructs, including but not limited to
• NumPy
• Pydantic
• asyncio
• typing
• pathlib
• itertools
• collections
• Ability to design clean, maintainable, and reusable software components

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or supporting scientific or instrumentation software systems
• Exposure to data analysis, data modeling, or visualization workflows
• Experience working in hardware-software integrated environments
• Familiarity with performance optimization and debugging complex systems
• Strong understanding of asynchronous programming concepts in Python
• Experience contributing to shared software frameworks or platforms

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.

Systems Engineer - Analytical chemistry

Company: Picarro
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Education: PhD Preferred (Physics, Chemistry, or related field)

Position Overview

Picarro is seeking a highly skilled Systems Engineer specializing in gas-phase measurements and atmospheric analysis to support advanced research, development, and application of precision gas sensing technologies. This role focuses on experimental measurement science, spectroscopy, and real-time analytical methods applied to air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring, and related environmental systems.

The ideal candidate brings deep scientific expertise in gas-phase instrumentation, strong experimental laboratory capabilities, and advanced data analysis skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct high-precision gas-phase measurements of atmospheric and trace compounds
• Design and execute laboratory and field experiments for air quality and greenhouse gas monitoring
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental datasets using advanced statistical and computational methods
• Develop data analysis workflows and visualization tools (Python-based preferred)
• Support development and optimization of gas measurement instrumentation and methodologies
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to translate scientific findings into system improvements
• Validate and benchmark measurement performance across different experimental conditions
• Document experimental procedures, results, and scientific findings for internal and external use

Required Qualifications

• PhD preferred in Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Science, or related discipline
• Extensive hands-on experience in gas-phase measurements of chemical compounds
• Strong research background in one or more of the following areas:
• Air quality monitoring
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement
• Atmospheric chemistry or environmental sensing
• Experience working with experimental laboratory systems and instrumentation

Technical Skills

• Strong data analysis and scientific computing skills
• Proficiency in Python strongly preferred
• Experience with data visualization and scientific plotting
• Strong understanding of measurement science and experimental uncertainty
• Familiarity with spectroscopy and/or optical measurement techniques

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) strongly preferred
• Experience with real-time mass spectrometry (MS) acceptable
• Hands-on laboratory skills including:
• Instrument setup and calibration
• Gas handling systems
• Mechanical aptitude (e.g., wrench work, fittings)
• Machining and soldering experience desirable
• Strong background in spectroscopy techniques and applications
• Experience in translating scientific research into applied instrumentation systems

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:
 
We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.
 
At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)

Group: Analyzer Product Group (APG), Engineering

Role Summary

Picarro is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to take a leading role in architecting and developing the low-level software that powers our advanced Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) instrumentation.

In this role, you'll serve as a hands-on technical leader—defining system architecture, driving implementation of software on multi-compute platforms, and ensuring seamless integration between FPGA and microcontroller firmware and higher-level software. Your focus will be on PCIe driver development to enable communication between the Linux operating systems and Picarro’s proprietary mixed analog and digital hardware devices, utilizing Linux kernel-level tools to manage hardware registers, DMA, and interrupts, to enable highly performant continuous spectrometer operation. You'll influence design decisions across teams, mentor engineers, and help shape the future of Picarro's firmware and software stack.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who thrives at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and software—someone who brings both strategic vision and strong technical execution.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• 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

Hands-On Software Development

• 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

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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

Mentorship & Technical Influence

• 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

Engineering Process & Quality

• 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

Education & Experience

• 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

Technical Expertise

• 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

Soft Skills & Leadership

• 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 Qualifications

• 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

The base salary range for this full-time position is $180K to $220K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.

Systems Engineer - Firmware & Instrument Control

Company: Picarro
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Required (Advanced degree preferred)

Position Overview

Picarro is seeking a Systems Engineer - Firmware & Instrument Control to develop and support data acquisition, instrument control, and embedded software systems for advanced laser-based measurement platforms. This role focuses on solving complex real-time control and data acquisition challenges across experimental and production instrumentation environments.

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience with experimental systems, data acquisition hardware, and instrument automation, along with proficiency in modern software development practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement firmware and software for data acquisition and instrument control systems
• Develop control interfaces for laser-based experimental instrumentation systems
• Integrate and support data acquisition hardware and peripheral devices
• Build reliable communication interfaces for distributed instrument systems
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to translate experimental needs into robust control systems
• Develop automation tools for calibration, testing, and system monitoring
• Debug and optimize real-time data acquisition and control performance
• Support system integration from prototype through production deployment

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience with data acquisition and control systems in experimental environments
• Hands-on experience with laser-based experimental systems or similar high-precision instrumentation
• Experience with laboratory automation and instrumentation control

Technical Skills

• Experience with data acquisition platforms and tools such as:
• National Instruments (NI) systems
• LabVIEW
• Experience with embedded and prototyping platforms such as:
• Arduino
• Raspberry Pi
• Linux-based systems
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Strong understanding of instrument communication protocols:
• TCP/IP
• RS-232
• Modbus
• Proficiency in Python preferred for automation and control scripting
• C/C++ programming experience desirable

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with embedded systems development
• Exposure to microcontrollers, FPGA development, or real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Strong debugging and system integration skills
• Experience building robust control systems for scientific or industrial instrumentation
• Familiarity with real-time data streaming and acquisition architectures

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance. 

Systems Engineer – Mechanical Engineering

Location: Santa Clara (Onsite)
Company: Picarro

Overview:
Picarro is seeking a hands-on and detail-oriented Systems Engineer with a strong foundation in Mechanical Engineering. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of design, assembly, and system integration, particularly in environments involving gas handling and precision instrumentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform hands-on assembly and integration of mechanical systems and subassemblies
• Work with gas handling systems, including Swagelok fittings, tubing, and related components
• Support the setup and operation of systems involving pressure and temperature measurements
• Execute basic machining, mechanical construction, and electrical wiring tasks as needed
• Interpret and work from mechanical drawings and schematics
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support system builds, testing, and troubleshooting
• Contribute to thermal control efforts, including basic modeling and analysis
• Maintain a high standard of quality, safety, and documentation in all work

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Strong hands-on skills with mechanical assembly and system integration
• Experience with gas handling systems and Swagelok components
• Familiarity with pressure and temperature measurement systems
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with SolidWorks or similar CAD tools
• Basic soldering skills
• Exposure to thermal systems and modeling
• Experience with simple machining and fabrication techniques
• Comfort with basic electrical wiring and system setup

What We’re Looking For:

• A proactive, detail-oriented individual who thrives in a lab or engineering build environment
• Someone who enjoys solving practical problems and working with hardware
• Strong collaboration and communication skills

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance. 

Senior Director of Engineering – Analyzer Group
Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)
Reports to: SVP, Engineering
Org: Engineering / Analyzer Development

The Opportunity
Picarro is seeking a Senior Director of Engineering to lead the Analyzer Group, responsible for engineering delivery across current analyzer products and next-generation analyzer platforms. This role owns end-to-end execution across hardware, firmware, software, systems integration, reliability, and manufacturability, and partners closely with R&D and platform leaders to bring differentiated CRDS-based products to market.

The ideal candidate is a high-ownership engineering leader with deep technical credibility and exceptional operational rigor—someone who builds predictable delivery, drives cross-functional alignment, and sets a culture of professionalism, accountability, and execution excellence.

Scope of Responsibility

Lead engineering for the Analyzer portfolio, including next-gen platform and products built on that platform.
Own delivery of key analyzer programs across development, sustaining, and quality.
Drive cross-team execution for customer escalations, including 8D analyses and CAR closure tied to field issues.
Partner with R&D leaders on critical technology initiatives, including optical feedback CRDS development, ensuring engineering execution is aligned with research direction and productization requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1) End-to-End Program Execution & Predictable Delivery
Establish and maintain comprehensive, integrated project plans that cover hardware, firmware, and software with clear milestones, dependencies, resourcing, and risk burndown.
Drive weekly operating cadence: status, risks, decision logs, and mitigation plans; ensure stakeholders have high visibility into progress and blockers.
Maintain a high say–do standard: commitments are credible, tracked, and delivered; missed commitments trigger root-cause analysis and plan correction.

2) Technical Leadership & Decision Quality
Provide strong technical leadership across analyzer architecture and design tradeoffs; drive decisions that are necessary, validated, and value-based, avoiding churn and unnecessary redesign.
Implement a decision-making framework that ensures changes are justified by customer value, reliability, manufacturability, serviceability, or schedule risk reduction.
Ensure design changes (e.g., subsystem replacements) have clear milestone definitions, qualification plans, and outputs (ECO, test reports, validation results).

3) Customer Issue Management

Own engineering response for customer escalations requiring 8D and CAR processes, driving cross-functional coordination across engineering, operations, quality, and suppliers.

Ensure timely root cause identification, containment, corrective actions, verification, and customer-ready reporting—particularly for strategic accounts.

4) People Leadership, Culture & Professionalism
Build and lead a high-performing organization: hire, develop, coach, and retain strong managers and technical leaders.
Set clear expectations for professional conduct: respectful collaboration, constructive technical debate, reliable meeting participation, and strong communication norms.
Address performance and behavior issues promptly and directly; create a culture of ownership, quality, and teamwork.

5) Resource, Budget, and External Partner Management
Manage internal and external resources (including consultants) to maximize impact; ensure utilization aligns with the plan and desired outcomes.
Track spend, forecast accurately, and manage within budget constraints; report variances early with corrective actions.

6) Engineering Excellence: Quality, Reliability, DFM/DFS
Drive engineering best practices across analyzer development, including DFM (manufacturability), DFS (serviceability), reliability, and scalability.
Establish a culture where verification and validation occur at each step, and quality is engineered in—not inspected in.

Required Skills & Behaviors (Non Negotiable)

This role requires observable, consistent behaviors:

Ownership & Accountability
Takes responsibility for outcomes; does not deflect ownership across teams or functions.

Operational Rigor / Planning Excellence
Produces and maintains integrated HW/FW/SW plans with clear deliverables and resource needs; builds stakeholder confidence through transparency.

Reliability & Execution Discipline
Anticipates risks early and drives mitigation without waiting for escalation.

Strong Judgment / Change Control
Drives necessary changes with clear justification and validation; avoids unplanned scope churn.

Cross-Team Leadership
Coordinates effectively across engineering, quality, operations, and suppliers—especially during formal escalation and corrective action processes.

Professional, Respectful Leadership
Demonstrates consistent professionalism; fosters constructive technical debate without combative or disrespectful behavior; models strong meeting discipline.

Qualifications

12+ years in engineering leadership roles, including managing managers and multi-disciplinary teams (hardware/firmware/software/systems).
Demonstrated success delivering complex products in a hybrid hardware + software environment (analytical instruments, industrial systems, or equivalent).
Proven ability to build and execute platform roadmaps and accelerate delivery through modular architecture and strong engineering processes.
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical tradeoffs to executives and cross-functional partners.

Preferred

Experience with reliability engineering, field escalation processes, and formal corrective action systems.
Experience in regulated or safety-critical product environments; exposure to CRDS or optical instrumentation is a plus.

What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)

A working operating system is in place: weekly execution reviews, decision logs, risk burndown, and credible integrated project plans for major programs.
Customer escalations have a clear owner and cadence; corrective action cycles close predictably with verified resolutions and clear customer communication.
Engineering leaders and teams report higher clarity, faster decision-making, and stronger accountability—and program delivery becomes measurably more predictable.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $250K to $260K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on location, experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, and the pay levels of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu shots, etc.)

About Picarro:
We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide, based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology, and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.Top of FormBottom of Form