Software Engineering Lead

EarthOptics•Raleigh, NC

1d•$115,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

EarthOptics is seeking a Software Engineering Lead to join its Software Engineering team as an individual contributor. The role builds and maintains software connecting field applications, laboratory automation, hardware, and data systems. It suits an engineer who enjoys working across production software and physical systems, takes ownership of supported technology, and can solve problems spanning software, electronics, and hardware. The lead will take primary engineering ownership of the Mobile GroundOwl application after a structured handoff, improving its stability and quality through issue diagnosis, targeted enhancements, dependency management, release support, testing, observability, documentation, and support tooling. The role also supports reliable operation in low- and no-connectivity field environments, where offline capture, data integrity, synchronization, and recovery are essential. The position designs and develops laboratory automation systems combining application software, firmware, sensors, motors, actuators, microcontrollers or single-board computers, and custom electronics. Work includes control logic, data acquisition, calibration, diagnostics, safety interlocks, and operator interfaces. The engineer will also contribute across EarthOptics products and platforms, collaborating with product, engineering, laboratory, hardware, and operations teams to deliver practical, maintainable solutions. Strong engineering practices apply across prototypes and production systems, including design, code review, testing, observability, security, and documentation. AI-assisted development tools may be used, with the engineer retaining responsibility for correctness, security, safety, and code quality. The role is hybrid in Raleigh, North Carolina, with practical commuting distance to the office and typical onsite work 1–3 days per week, adjusted for project and hardware-testing needs. Travel is approximately 10%. The position is full-time and exempt, with annual compensation of $115,000–$130,000 plus equity. During the first 60–120 days, the hire is expected to complete the structured handoff and establish ownership of Mobile GroundOwl; learn its field workflows and reliability needs; address priority field issues and strengthen testing, observability, documentation, and support practices; and begin contributing to lab automation, moving from problem definition and prototyping toward reliable systems laboratory users can operate and maintain.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
At least 2 years of professional software engineering experience, or equivalent experience through internships, co-ops, research, or substantial shipped projects.
Experience maintaining or shipping a production mobile application.
Strong Python development skills and comfort working in C/C++ or another language used for embedded, automation, or systems development.
Hands-on experience with sensors, motors, motor drivers, actuators, microcontrollers, data acquisition, and basic electronics troubleshooting.
Ability to rapidly prototype by defining a problem, building a solution, testing it with real hardware, diagnosing failures, and iterating.
Experience with Git, code review, automated testing, and dependable software release practices.
Ability to use AI coding assistants effectively while independently validating generated output and maintaining high standards for quality, correctness, security, and safety.
Clear communication and documentation skills, ability to work independently, and ability to collaborate across software, hardware, laboratory, product, and operations teams.
Must be eligible to work in the United States; the company cannot sponsor or transfer visas.

Nice To Haves

React Native and TypeScript/JavaScript experience.
Experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
Mobile application release management for the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Experience with Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, USB, serial, CAN, I2C, SPI, or other device communication protocols.
Experience with Linux-based edge computing, microcontrollers, real-time systems, or embedded firmware.
Experience with laboratory instrumentation, robotics, industrial controls, motion control, or machine vision.
Experience with cloud APIs, backend services, databases, or telemetry systems.
Ability to read schematics and design or modify straightforward custom electronics and PCBs using KiCad, Altium, or similar tools.
Experience with mechanical prototyping, CAD, 3D printing, test fixtures, or design-for-assembly.
Experience with agriculture, field-deployed technology, or environments where software must perform reliably outside a traditional office setting.

Responsibilities

Take primary engineering ownership of the Mobile GroundOwl application after 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 Mobile GroundOwl reliability and maintainability through automated testing, observability, documentation, and support tooling.
Support dependable field operation in low- and no-connectivity environments, including offline data capture, data integrity, synchronization, and recovery.
Design and develop lab automation systems integrating 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 customer-facing applications, backend services, integrations, device software, and internal engineering tools.
Collaborate with product managers, engineers, laboratory teams, hardware teams, and operational teams to develop practical, maintainable solutions.
Apply sound engineering practices across prototypes and production systems, including thoughtful design, code review, automated testing, observability, security, and documentation.
Use AI-assisted development tools thoughtfully while validating correctness, security, safety, and code quality.
Complete the Mobile GroundOwl handoff, establish ownership, understand its workflows and reliability needs, and address priority field issues within the first 60–120 days.
Begin contributing to lab automation initiatives, progressing from problem definition and prototyping toward reliable systems users can operate and maintain.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, funded 90% by EarthOptics for benefit-eligible employees and 55% for dependents.
Company-paid long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance.
Meaningful equity option grants.
401(k) plan with employer match up to 4%.
17 days of paid time off plus 11 additional company holidays.
Parental leave.
Professional development stipend and access to learning platforms.
Candidate referral program.
Above and Beyond bonus program.
Flexible schedule and hybrid/remote work environment.
Regular opportunities to give feedback on benefits offerings.