R&D Software Engineer, Scientific Instrumentation

US-CA-Santa Clara$172,512 - $269,5508+ years

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 job_posting@agilent.com or contact +1-262-754-5030. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please visit www.agilent.com/en/accessibility.