R&D Software/Firmware Engineer

Agilent Technologies•Santa Clara, CA

36d•Hybrid

About The Position

Agilent Technologies helps laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and researchers around the world solve complex scientific challenges through precision instruments, software, and services. Within Agilent’s R&D organization, Agile teams play a critical role in advancing next-generation analytical instruments that directly impact customer outcomes and scientific innovation. This R&D Software/Firmware Engineer role is essential to the development of embedded software that powers Agilent’s mass spectrometry platforms, ensuring reliable performance, accuracy, and quality across the full product lifecycle. This role is based in Santa Clara, CA. The position requires onsite presence, with a hybrid schedule (minimum of three days per week in the office) to support close collaboration with hardware and lab-based teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
4+ years of hands-on experience developing embedded software and/or firmware.
Strong proficiency in C/C++, with working proficiency in Python for tooling, automation, and test workflows.
Experience developing, testing, and debugging embedded systems for real-time or hardware-interfacing applications.
Familiarity with object-oriented design principles and software architecture best practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience with XML-based configuration or data exchange is desirable.
Exposure to analog electrical engineering concepts—such as signal conditioning, ADC/DAC interfaces, and sensor or detector electronics—is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and maintain embedded software and firmware supporting instrument control, calibration and alignment routines, diagnostics, and data/telemetry pathways within a hardware-focused R&D environment.
Translate system-level, hardware, and customer requirements into robust, testable embedded software designs; document architecture, interfaces, and verification artifacts.
Develop, test, and debug embedded applications and/or firmware using C/C++, Python, and XML, applying modern build systems, debugging tools, and version control workflows.
Integrate embedded software with mixed-signal and digital hardware; partner closely with electrical engineering teams to debug hardware/software interaction issues using lab instruments and on-target debugging techniques.
Own quality for assigned components, including unit and integration testing, defect triage, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement of build and test infrastructure.
Collaborate with cross-disciplinary engineers and scientists to deliver complete, integrated instrument systems.
Partner cross-functionally to support design transfer to manufacturing and assist with field or service escalations as needed.