Software Engineering Lead

EarthOptics • Raleigh, NC

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join EarthOptics as a Software Engineering Lead! At EarthOptics, we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our mission is to be the leading soil information company, delivering maps that growers, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders use to cost-effectively increase yields and improve soil health and the climate. We are creating a future where traditional sampling methods are obsolete. We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 20 states and two countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently. Our Software Engineering Lead will join our Software Engineering team as an individual contributor, helping build and maintain software that connects field applications, laboratory automation, hardware, and data systems. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys moving between production software and physical systems, takes ownership of the technology they support, and is comfortable solving problems across software, electronics, and hardware.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience.
• 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, or equivalent experience through internships, co-ops, research, or substantial shipped projects.
• Maintaining or shipping a production mobile application.
• React Native and TypeScript/JavaScript experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong Python development and comfort working in C/C++ or another language used for embedded, automation, or systems development.
• Working hands-on with sensors, motors, motor drivers, actuators, microcontrollers, data acquisition, and basic electronics troubleshooting.
• Rapid prototyping: defining a problem, building a solution, testing it with real hardware, diagnosing failures, and iterating.
• Git, code review, automated testing, and dependable software release practices.
• Using AI coding assistants effectively while independently validating generated output and maintaining high standards for quality, correctness, security, and safety.
• Communicating clearly, documenting your work, operating independently, and collaborating effectively across software, hardware, lab, product, and operations teams.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Mobile application release management for the Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, USB, serial, CAN, I2C, SPI, or other device communication protocols.
• Linux-based edge computing, microcontrollers, real-time systems, or embedded firmware.
• Laboratory instrumentation, robotics, industrial controls, motion control, or machine vision.
• Cloud APIs, backend services, databases, or telemetry systems.
• Reading schematics and designing or modifying straightforward custom electronics and PCBs using KiCad, Altium, or similar tools.
• Mechanical prototyping, CAD, 3D printing, test fixtures, or design-for-assembly.
• Agriculture, field-deployed technology, or other environments where software must perform reliably outside a traditional office setting.

Responsibilities

• Take primary engineering ownership of the Mobile GroundOwl (GO) application following a structured handoff.
• Maintain a stable, high-quality field application by diagnosing issues, implementing targeted enhancements, managing dependencies, supporting releases, and collaborating with backend engineers on APIs and integrations.
• Improve the reliability and maintainability of Mobile GroundOwl through automated testing, observability, documentation, and support tooling.
• Help ensure dependable operation in low- and no-connectivity field environments where offline data capture, data integrity, synchronization, and recovery are critical.
• Design and develop lab automation systems that integrate application software, firmware, sensors, motors, actuators, microcontrollers or single-board computers, and custom electronics.
• Develop control logic, data-acquisition software, calibration routines, diagnostics, safety interlocks, and operator interfaces.
• Contribute software across EarthOptics products and platforms, including customer-facing applications, backend services, integrations, device software, and internal engineering tools.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, lab teams, hardware teams, and operational teams to turn real-world problems into practical, maintainable solutions.
• Apply strong engineering practices across prototypes and production systems, including thoughtful design, code review, automated testing, observability, security, and documentation.
• Use AI-assisted development tools thoughtfully to accelerate implementation, debugging, testing, research, and documentation while retaining responsibility for correctness, security, safety, and code quality.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance - 90% funded by EarthOptics for benefit-eligible employees and 55% for dependents
• Company-paid LTD, STD, and Life Insurance
• Meaningful equity option grants
• 401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%
• 17 days of paid time off, plus 11 additional company holidays
• Parental Leave
• Professional Development Stipend + access to learning platforms
• Candidate Referral Program
• Above and Beyond Bonus Program
• Flexible Schedule & Hybrid/Remote Work Environment
• Regular opportunities to give feedback on our benefits offerings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level