Python Engineer

Kunai•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Kunai builds full-stack technology solutions for banks, credit and payment networks, infrastructure providers, and their customers. Together, we are changing the world’s relationship with financial services. At Kunai, we help our clients modernize, capitalize on emerging trends, and evolve their business for the coming decades by remaining tech-agnostic and human-centered. We’re hiring a full-time Software Engineer to join our specialized engineering team focused on building sophisticated software for advanced hardware control and lab automation, with a primary emphasis on aero-acoustic wind tunnel systems.

Requirements

Professional experience in Python with an emphasis on hardware control, lab automation, or robotics.
Understanding of control systems theory, digital signal processing, and data acquisition principles.
Foundational knowledge of fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, and acoustic measurement techniques.
Proven ability to debug complex, multi-component systems spanning hardware and software.
Strong communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary teams.
Proficiency in modern Python (3.8+) and object-oriented design
NumPy, SciPy, Pandas
Hardware control interfaces/protocols (PWM, serial, Ethernet)
Audio signal processing or multi-channel data acquisition libraries (sounddevice, librosa)
Git
YAML/JSON configuration formats
Network communication protocols and REST APIs

Nice To Haves

Experience in a lab or R&D environment (highly desirable).
Motion control systems for robotics/automation
Spatial audio technologies, especially High-Order Ambisonics (HOA)
Optitrack (or similar motion capture) integration
Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) familiarity
GUI development frameworks for internal tools
Cross-platform development (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain high-quality, reusable, reliable Python code to control complex hardware systems (wind tunnel fan arrays and mechanical components).
Implement and optimize real-time control algorithms, including PWM control for fan motors and actuators.
Build software to program airflow conditions (laminar, turbulent, gradient, time-varying flows).
Create control interfaces for secondary systems: robotic HATS (Head and Torso Simulator) movers, lift systems, and multi-channel spatial audio (HOA) setups.
Integrate motion capture data (e.g., Optitrack) for real-time tracking and alignment.
Develop and execute automated calibration procedures for wind speeds, acoustic sensors, and other measurements.
Build and maintain data pipelines to capture, process, and analyze experimental data from diverse sensors.
Troubleshoot complex system-level issues to ensure high availability and reliability of lab equipment.
Produce clear documentation for software architecture, APIs, and operational procedures.