Software Engineer II

Job Title:

Software Engineer II

Location:

Redmond WA

Duration:

12 months

About the Role: Job Description: Job Summary:

• We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Software Engineer to join our specialized engineering team.
• This role is centered on the development of sophisticated software for advanced hardware control and lab automation, with a primary focus on aero-acoustic wind tunnel systems.
• In this role, you will use Python to design, build, and enhance control mechanisms for both a classic recirculating wind tunnel and a novel modular fan-array wind tunnel.
• This position offers a unique and exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of software development, robotics, acoustics, and aerodynamics.

Key Responsibilities:

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

Top 3 Must-Have Skills:

• Python software engineering for hardware control / lab automation
• Proficiency in modern Python (3.8+) and object-oriented design
• Ability to design, develop, and maintain reliable, reusable control software for complex hardware systems (with LLM coding support e.g. Claude code, LLama, Gemini, OpenCode, etc.)
• Strong practices around code quality, documentation, configuration (YAML/JSON), and version control (Git)
• Real-time control + hardware interfaces (control systems, PWM, data acquisition)
• Implementing and optimizing real-time control algorithms for precision (e.g., PWM control for motors/actuators)
• Hands-on experience with hardware communication interfaces/protocols (PWM, serial, Ethernet)
• Ability to debug and troubleshoot multi-component systems spanning software + hardware for high availability
• Experimental data pipelines + signal processing (acoustics/audio + sensor data)
• Building and maintaining data pipelines to capture, process, and analyze sensor/experimental data
• Strong scientific computing and data analysis skills (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas)
• Experience with audio/DSP or multi-channel acquisition workflows (e.g., sounddevice, librosa) and calibration automation

Nice-to-Have Skills:

Preferred:

• Experience with motion control systems for robotics or automation.
• Familiarity with spatial audio technologies, particularly High-Order Ambisonics (HOA).
• Experience integrating motion capture systems (e.g., Optitrack) into control software.
• Experience with advanced aerodynamic measurement techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).
• Familiarity with GUI development frameworks for creating internal tools.
• Experience with cross-platform software development (Windows, macOS, Linux).
• Wearable Experience preferred

Degrees / Certifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• Proven professional experience in Python programming with a strong emphasis on hardware control, lab automation, or robotics.
• Solid understanding of control systems theory, digital signal processing, and data acquisition principles.
• Strong foundational knowledge of fluid mechanics, aerodynamic principles, and acoustic measurement techniques.
• Experience working in a laboratory or R&D environment is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex, multi-component systems that include both hardware and software.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with an ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Technical Skills Required:

• Proficiency in modern Python (3.8+) and object-oriented design.
• Experience with scientific computing and data analysis libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas).
• Experience with hardware control interfaces and protocols (e.g., PWM, serial, Ethernet).
• Experience with libraries for audio signal processing or multi-channel data acquisition (e.g., sounddevice, librosa).
• Competency with version control systems, particularly Git.
• Experience using configuration file formats like YAML or JSON.
• Knowledge of network communication protocols and experience with REST APIs.

Preferred:

• Experience with motion control systems for robotics or automation.
• Familiarity with spatial audio technologies, particularly High-Order Ambisonics (HOA).
• Experience integrating motion capture systems (e.g., Optitrack) into control software.
• Experience with advanced aerodynamic measurement techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).
• Familiarity with GUI development frameworks for creating internal tools.
• Experience with cross-platform software development (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Writing code to collect data from various instruments, particularly in the audio domain and mechanical movement systems
• ability to be independent
• lab environment
• Working in one lab daily
• Working on a complex system/integrations (audio, PWM motors)
• Acquisition & building system that is collecting data to share within systems

About the Team:

• Wearables audio technology team - lab experiences
• mostly wearables

How is success defined?

1. Perform day-to-day responsibilities.
2. Work autonomously, navigate ambiguity, and collaborate cross-functionally.

What makes this role interesting?

• Unique opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation, tackling complex challenges with cutting-edge technology and data.

Value Added / Experience Gained:

• You will collaborate with world-class experts in a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, impact, and continuous learning, driving breakthroughs that shape the future of client's products and services.

Interview Process:

• 1-2 interviews
• Coding assessment
• 1 hour
• 1-2 interviews
• Coding assessment
• 1 hour

SPECTRAFORCE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Please contact Human Resources at nahr@spectraforce.com if you require reasonable accommodation.