Instrumentation Principal Software Engineer

Job Description

The Engineering & Applied Physics team at Vertex, San Diego, is looking to add a top-notch Instrumentation Software Engineer to our small, elite team of engineers and physicists. From advanced robotics and automation to microfluidics and cutting-edge microscopy, this unique in-house team develops a wide array of performance-focused technological solutions for the toughest challenges in drug discovery. Where commercial options don't exist, the team collaborates directly with Vertex scientists to create innovative solutions that enable ground-breaking science and discovery of life-saving medicines. The Principal Instrumentation Software & Application Engineer plays a lead role in defining instrument control architecture, developing control software to run our instruments, and ensuring effective integration with our science to maximize the impact we have on drug discovery.

This is an onsite position in San Diego.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Key responsibility is to define instrument control architecture and develop advanced instrument control software for data acquisition, motion control, signal processing, remote diagnostics, automated workflow, and user interface/experience
• Design and implement complete instrumentation software packages to meet department goals with minimal supervision
• Collaborate with our team of Mechanical, Electrical, and Bio Engineers, and PhD Physicists, to develop custom in-house instruments where commercial options don't exist
• Lead software design reviews and implement suggested solutions
• Develop, deploy, and support software from initial proof of concept, through small scale production, and deployed operation
• Train and support Vertex scientists in the operation and care of instrumentation
• Guide activities of lower-level engineers, leveraging project related and cross-functional skills, and transferring cross-functional expertise between projects, to meet project goals
• Deliver creative, innovative, effective solutions to challenging engineering problems
• Guide the successful completion of major projects
• Identify, adopt, and promote novel instrumentation technologies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong programming experience in Python, C#, C or C++ in context of instrument control, automation or robotics
• High proficiency in control software development, including system design, UI/UX, configuration, setup, complex troubleshooting and service
• Highly skilled at structuring software effectively, such as with object-oriented programming principles
• Adept at organizing and manipulating large data sets
• SQL or other large database programming experience
• Expertise in industry standard software version control methodologies
• Experience programming within a software team environment
• Ability and desire to learn LabVIEW utilizing DQMH toolkit
• Aptitude for hands-on work with complex electro-mechanical systems, providing in-house instrument support
• Demonstrates strong initiative in project planning and implementation
• Contributes to the technical leadership of project teams
• Be an effective team player, ability to collaborate closely with other engineers and scientists
• Able to transition seamlessly and productively between independent work and collaboration in diverse, cross-discipline, cross-functional teams
• A compulsive problem solver; able to deliver innovative, effective solutions to challenging problems, in a high-paced, highly productive, and collaborative work environment
• Has a track record of innovative solutions

Education, Experience and Requirements:

• Master's Degree and 7+ years experience in life sciences, engineering or academia, or Bachelor's Degree and 10+ years experience in life sciences, engineering or academia
• Expert level experience in developing software/firmware for either instrumentation, automation, medical, industrial, military and/or robotics with a proven track record of delivering products
• Have a passion for science and engineering, and a desire to tangibly apply that passion in the pursuit of transforming the lives of patients with serious diseases

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Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com