Persistent Systems · 3 hours ago
Staff Software Engineer
Hercules, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
7+ years expPersistent Systems is an AI-led, platform-driven Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization partner. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and develop embedded control software for automated lab instruments, ensuring high-quality software that impacts human health.
AnalyticsBig DataCloud ComputingEmbedded SystemsProduct DesignSecuritySoftware
Responsibilities
Develop Embedded Control Software: Design and implement the core C++ control software that drives automated lab instruments, handling everything from device initialization to high-level coordination of subsystems to error handling
Orchestration & Scheduling: Develop and maintain scheduling and orchestration logic to coordinate instrument operations (e.g. sample handling, reagent dispensing, measurements) at high throughput (100+ samples/hour). Ensure timed execution of workflows across multiple embedded controllers
Error Handling & Recovery: Build robust error handling and fault recovery mechanisms. Anticipate error conditions (device faults, step loss, etc.) and implement recovery sequences that allow the instrument to safely continue or gracefully halt with minimal downtime
Firmware/Hardware Integration: Interface with distributed firmware microcontroller boards over a CANopen bus (coordinating 10+ boards). Maintain communication protocols and data models for commands/status and ensure reliable real-time messaging between the main software and firmware subsystems
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with systems engineering to align software with hardware design, with assay scientists to understand requirements, and with quality/regulatory teams to meet compliance and documentation standards. Coordinate integration activities and troubleshooting across mechanical, electronics, and assay domains
Technical Leadership & Mentoring: Mentor junior and mid-level software engineers by sharing best practices in embedded development, performing design and code reviews, and guiding problem solving. Lead architectural discussions and contribute to design documentation for new features and systems
Lab work: Triaging and troubleshooting hardware/software integration issues, and providing expert technical guidance to cross-functional teams
Testing & Automation: Drive improvements in software quality by expanding integration testing and simulation. Lead the development of hardware simulation frameworks and automated test suites to validate instrument behavior in CI/CD pipelines. Champion the use of continuous integration, unit testing, and other modern DevOps practices to increase software reliability and maintainability
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, electrical/computer engineering, related field, or the equivalent experience
Prior experience in an embedded software engineering role designing complex instrument or device software
Extensive experience programming in modern C++ for embedded systems, with a minimum of five years
Strong understanding of object-oriented design, multi-threading, and memory management in constrained environments
Hands-on experience developing for embedded Linux (e.g., Yocto) or on real-time operating systems (e.g., QNX)
Comfortable with low-level OS concepts, device drivers, and optimizing performance on single-board computers
Proven ability to design software for high uptime and reliability
Experience with fail-safe mechanisms, state machines for complex device control, and graceful degradation of functionality under fault conditions
Familiarity with automated testing frameworks and continuous integration in an embedded context
Experience writing unit and integration tests for embedded code, using hardware-in-loop or simulation, and using CI tools to catch issues early
Excellent cross-functional communication and teamwork skills
Ability to work closely with other engineering disciplines and to clearly articulate technical information to non-software stakeholders
Background in laboratory equipment, clinical diagnostics, or medical device development
Familiarity with the regulatory environment and standards for medical device software (e.g. IEC 62304, ISO 13485) is a plus
Solid knowledge of industrial communication protocols
Familiarity with CAN/CANopen is a plus – including defining CANopen object dictionaries, PDO/SDO communication, and network management – or comparable experience with similar fieldbus protocols (e.g. Modbus, EtherCAT)
Experience modernizing legacy codebase and bringing in contemporary best practices
Exposure to lab automation robotics, fluidics control, or high-throughput instrumentation
Understanding of timing and scheduling challenges in systems that process many samples in parallel
Experience with creating simulation models of hardware or using tools to emulate instrument components for testing
Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package
Culture focused on talent development with quarterly promotion cycles and company-sponsored higher education and certifications
Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies
Employee engagement initiatives such as project parties, flexible work hours, and Long Service awards
Annual health check-ups
Insurance coverage: group term life, personal accident, and Mediclaim hospitalization for self, spouse, two children, and parents
Company
Persistent Systems
Persistent Systems offers software product concept and design, performance engineering, quality assurance, and other professional services.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Persistent Systems has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (519)
2024 (840)
2023 (475)
2022 (308)
2021 (285)
2020 (397)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$18.8M2010-04-06IPO
2005-12-09Series A· $18.8M
Leadership Team
Sandeep Kalra
CEO & Executive Director
Rajiv Korpal
SVP, Microsoft Business Unit
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