Principal Software Systems Architect

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

9h•$175,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Join the Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test team as a hands-on Principal Software Systems Architect. The role bridges photonic systems architecture and software engineering, translating optical and laser system requirements into clear, testable software requirements and owning delivery of the customer-facing GUI and SDK. The architect defines software architecture for system control, data acquisition, monitoring, and user interaction, including the layers between firmware, device drivers, control logic, SDK, and GUI. The role also owns GUI and SDK project scope, schedule, priorities, and release plans; establishes software verification and development practices; leads system-level troubleshooting; and presents software architecture and maturity at technical reviews. The position requires access to export-controlled information, and employment is contingent on the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in software development for hardware-centric systems, including at least 5 years in an architecture or technical lead role.
Demonstrated expertise in software architecture for instrument control, test and measurement, or embedded hardware systems.
Demonstrated expertise in software requirements development, flow-down, and verification.
Demonstrated expertise in hardware/software and firmware/software interface definition.
Demonstrated expertise in API and SDK design for external users.
Demonstrated expertise in GUI development for complex technical systems.
Proven track record delivering production software for complex electro-optical, scientific, or precision hardware.
Experience leading software projects end to end, including scope, schedule, and release management.
Proficiency in languages common to instrument control, such as Python, C/C++, or C#.
Ability to learn deep technical domains quickly and communicate with physicists and hardware engineers in their language.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions across teams.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), due to the position's access to export-controlled information.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree.
Experience with laser systems, photonics, quantum systems, or precision metrology.
Experience with communication protocols and control systems such as Ethernet, USB, serial, or PID loops.
Creativity, flexibility, willingness to wear multiple hats, passion for building systems from the ground up, and comfort with ambiguity and change.

Responsibilities

Develop a working command of photonic system architecture, including laser control, frequency stabilization, power distribution, and system monitoring, to translate system behavior into software requirements.
Partner with the Photonic Systems Architect to decompose and flow down system requirements into software requirements, use cases, and acceptance criteria.
Define software architecture for system control, data acquisition, monitoring, and user interaction, including the layers between firmware, device drivers, control logic, SDK, and GUI.
Define and control software interfaces through interface control documents (ICDs), API specifications, and data models, working with electrical and firmware engineers on hardware/software interfaces.
Serve as project engineer for the GUI and SDK by owning scope, schedule, priorities, and release plans, and driving the software team to delivery.
Establish software verification strategies, including test plans, requirements traceability, and system-level integration testing on real hardware.
Lead system-level troubleshooting across hardware, firmware, and software, and drive root cause analysis and corrective action.
Define customer-facing SDK and GUI functionality with product and applications teams, balancing usability, performance, and system protection.
Present and defend software architecture and maturity at technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to leadership and customers.
Establish scalable software development practices, including version control, code review, configuration management, and release processes.
Mentor engineers and build a culture of technical rigor, ownership, and cross-functional collaboration.