R&D Software Engineer, Scientific Instrumentation

Posted 9 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Santa Clara, CA, USA
In-Office
173K-270K Annually
Senior level
Biotech
The Role
Design, develop, and maintain instrument-control software and hardware-interface layers for LC/MS and QToF platforms. Build device communication, drivers, synchronization, and real-time data-acquisition systems; integrate with electronics, FPGA, firmware, and embedded controllers; diagnose hardware/software issues; optimize performance, reliability, and deterministic operation; support verification, validation, and long-term architecture decisions.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description

This is an onsite-hybrid role due to business needs

Agilent's mission is to advance the quality of life by applying insights and innovation in science and technology, delivering trusted answers to laboratories in more than 110 countries. As an R&D Software Engineer on our LC/MS team, you will build the instrument-control software at the heart of our next-generation mass spectrometry platforms—work that directly shapes the reliability and performance our customers depend on to bring great science to life.

Job Description

Join our LC/MS R&D team to design, develop, and maintain the software layer that controls next-generation LC/MS and QToF instrumentation. Working at the intersection of software, electronics, and analytical instrumentation, you will build the hardware-control and data-acquisition infrastructure that enables reliable, high-performance mass spectrometry.

You will collaborate with electrical engineers, firmware developers, scientists, systems engineers, and product teams to deliver software that interfaces directly with instrument subsystems—including acquisition electronics, RF systems, detectors, vacuum components, and embedded controllers.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain instrument-control software and hardware-interface layers for LC/MS and QToF platforms.

  • Build software for device communication, hardware control, synchronization, and real-time data acquisition.

  • Create and maintain hardware abstraction layers, drivers, and communication frameworks for instrument subsystems.

  • Partner with electrical, FPGA, firmware, and systems engineers to integrate new hardware designs into production platforms.

  • Diagnose and resolve complex hardware/software integration issues across electronics, controllers, sensors, and acquisition systems.

  • Optimize software performance, reliability, fault tolerance, and deterministic operation of instrument-control systems.

  • Participate in architecture reviews and help establish best practices for instrument software development.

  • Support verification, validation, and troubleshooting throughout instrument development and release.

  • Contribute to long-term software architecture for next-generation mass spectrometry platforms.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field.

  • 8+ years developing software for scientific instruments, industrial systems, medical devices, or other hardware-intensive products.

  • Strong programming skills in C, C++, and/or C#.

  • Experience developing instrument-control software, hardware-communication layers, or device drivers.

  • Experience interfacing software with embedded systems, FPGA-based electronics, motion-control systems, sensors, or data-acquisition hardware.

  • Experience with communication protocols such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, USB, Serial, CAN, SPI, or I2C.

  • Strong understanding of multi-threaded and real-time software design.

  • Experience debugging hardware/software interactions with tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.

  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with mass spectrometry, chromatography, spectroscopy, or other analytical instrumentation.

  • Knowledge of QToF, ion mobility, detector electronics, timing systems, or high-speed data-acquisition architectures.

  • Experience working with FPGA and firmware development teams.

  • Familiarity with distributed control systems and hardware abstraction architectures.

  • Experience using Python for automation, testing, and diagnostics.

  • Experience in regulated or quality-controlled product-development environments.

Additional Details

This job has a full time weekly schedule. Applications for this job will be accepted until at least August 20, 2026 or until the job is no longer posted.

The full-time equivalent pay range for this position is $172,512.00 - $269,550.00/yr plus eligibility for bonus, stock and benefits. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location. Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers.agilent.com/locations

Agilent Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity and merit-based employer that values individuals of all backgrounds at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. Agilent Technologies, Inc., is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive in the workplace where everyone is welcome, and strives to support candidates with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance with any part of the application or interview process or have questions about workplace accessibility, please email [email protected] or contact +1-262-754-5030. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please visit www.agilent.com/en/accessibility.Travel Required: 10% of the TimeShift: DayDuration: No End DateJob Function: R&D

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Analytical Chemistry, or related field.
  • 8+ years developing software for scientific instruments, industrial systems, medical devices, or other hardware-intensive products.
  • Strong programming skills in C, C++, and/or C#.
  • Experience developing instrument-control software, hardware-communication layers, or device drivers.
  • Experience interfacing software with embedded systems, FPGA-based electronics, motion-control systems, sensors, or data-acquisition hardware.
  • Experience with communication protocols such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, USB, Serial, CAN, SPI, or I2C.
  • Strong understanding of multi-threaded and real-time software design.
  • Experience debugging hardware/software interactions with tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
  • Experience with mass spectrometry, chromatography, spectroscopy, or other analytical instrumentation.
  • Knowledge of QToF, ion mobility, detector electronics, timing systems, or high-speed data-acquisition architectures.
  • Experience working with FPGA and firmware development teams.
  • Familiarity with distributed control systems and hardware abstraction architectures.
  • Experience using Python for automation, testing, and diagnostics.
  • Experience in regulated or quality-controlled product-development environments.

Agilent Technologies Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Agilent Technologies and has not been reviewed or approved by Agilent Technologies.

  • Retirement Support The core U.S. package highlights a generous 401(k) match as a strength. Retirement programs are positioned as competitive within the company’s total rewards.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility An Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a discount provides accessible equity and augments total compensation. Ownership opportunities are presented as a notable advantage alongside retirement benefits.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Flexible Time Off, company holidays, a personal holiday, and paid volunteer time create a broad leave offering. Time off can accrue into multiple weeks in the first year, supporting flexibility.

Agilent Technologies Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Santa Clara, CA
17,369 Employees
Year Founded: 1999

What We Do

Analytical scientists and clinical researchers worldwide rely on Agilent to help fulfill their most complex laboratory demands. Our instruments, software, services and consumables address the full range of scientific and laboratory management needs—so our customers can do what they do best: improve the world around us. Whether a laboratory is engaged in environmental testing, academic research, medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals or food testing, Agilent provides laboratory solutions to meet their full spectrum of needs. We work closely with customers to help address global trends that impact human health and the environment, and to anticipate future scientific needs. Our solutions improve the efficiency of the entire laboratory, from sample prep to data interpretation and management. Customers trust Agilent for solutions that enable insights...for a better world.

Similar Jobs

Afterpay Logo Afterpay

Enterprise Account Manager

Fintech • Payments • Software • Financial Services
Hybrid
2 Locations
900 Employees
173K-312K Annually

Airwallex Logo Airwallex

Security Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Payments • Business Intelligence • Financial Services • Generative AI
Hybrid
San Francisco, CA, USA
2300 Employees
150K-230K Annually

Airwallex Logo Airwallex

Security Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Payments • Business Intelligence • Financial Services • Generative AI
In-Office
3 Locations
2300 Employees
150K-220K Annually

Boeing Logo Boeing

Operations Specialist

Aerospace • Information Technology • Software • Cybersecurity • Design • Defense • Manufacturing
In-Office
El Segundo, CA, USA
170000 Employees
97K-131K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Formation Bio Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Biotech • Pharmaceutical
New York, NY
150 Employees
SOPHiA GENETICS Thumbnail
Software • Healthtech • Biotech • Big Data • Artificial Intelligence
Boston, MA
450 Employees
Pfizer Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Machine Learning • Natural Language Processing • Biotech • Pharmaceutical
New York, NY
121990 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account