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

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 80.00/hr.