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.