Principal Software Engineer

PerkinElmer; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global science and technology company in High Wycombe is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the architecture and design of software systems across the full stack. This involves leading a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring system integration, and applying a strong understanding of physics for algorithm development. The ideal candidate should have an honors degree in Physics or Engineering, with over 10 years of experience in software and proficiency in C#/.NET and C/C++. This is a hybrid role requiring at least three days a week on-site.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years of commercial software experience.
• Expert-level proficiency in C#/.NET.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of software systems.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to the team.
• Work closely with hardware engineers for system integration.

Skills

C#/.NET

C/C++

Signal processing

Leadership

Communication protocols (I2C, SPI, USB, Ethernet)

Education

Honors degree in Physics, Mathematics, or Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Xamarin/MAUI

Azure/AWS

Job description

Principal Software Engineer

High Wycombe, United Kingdom

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead the architecture and design of software systems across the full stack—from embedded firmware (C/C++) controlling hardware to high-level application software (C#/.NET).
• Team Leadership: Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to a team comprising Software, Firmware, and Electronics Engineers.
• Physics-Based Development: Apply a strong understanding of physics to develop algorithms that turn raw sensor data into actionable scientific insight. This involves signal processing, instrument control loops, and physical modeling rather than purely statistical data analysis.
• System Integration: Work closely with hardware engineers to bring up new boards, debug complex opto-electronic systems, and ensure seamless integration between hardware and software.
• Innovation: Propose technology concepts involved in next-generation product development, specifically focusing on thermal analysis and materials characterization.
• Collaboration: Responsible for the low-level software coding and algorithms and manufacturing support and collaborate with cross-functional for high level application coding.

Qualifications

• Education: Honors degree in Physics, Mathematics, or Engineering (with a strong Physics component) is strictly required. Note: A pure Computer Science degree without a strong scientific/physics background will not be sufficient.
• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of commercial software experience, with a proven track record in comprehensive system development
• Tech Stack: Expert-level proficiency in C# / .NET and strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems/firmware.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring multi-disciplinary technical teams (Software and Firmware/Electronics).
• Domain Knowledge: Experience in scientific instrumentation, industrial automation, or a similar high-technology environment where software interacts physically with hardware.
• Hardware Interface: Deep understanding of communication protocols (I2C, SPI, USB, Ethernet) and the ability to read schematics/datasheets to aid in firmware development and hardware debugging.
• Strategy & Process: Define software development standards, drive Agile/Scrum processes, and implement CI/CD pipelines to ensure operational excellence and product quality.

Desirable:

• Experience running a multi discipline team
• Experience with signal processing (FFT, digital filtering) and image processing.
• Knowledge of MATLAB or Python for algorithm prototyping.
• Experience with mobile cross-platform tools (Xamarin/MAUI) or cloud connectivity (Azure/AWS) for IoT-enabled instruments.
• AI champion

Preferred Characteristics

• Strong Leader: Ability to inspire confidence and drive technical decisions within a complex engineering environment.
• Physicist Mindset: A "first principles" thinker who understands why the data looks the way it does, not just how to process it.
• Analytical thinking driven by data.
• Ability to see both the small and the big picture.
• Possessing strong organizational skills.
• Problem solving aptitude involves both creative and pragmatic resolutions.
• Adaptable to change.

Note: This role is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week at our offices in High Wycombe.

Additional Information

PerkinElmer is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

Equal Opportunity: PerkinElmer is an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. To learn more about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the available documents: EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law Supplement, and Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision.

Accessibility: PerkinElmer is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. If you have a disability and need assistance with any part of the hiring process or have questions about our workplace accessibility, please email [e-mail].

Allowances: PerkinElmer does not make job offers without conducting interviews with our talent acquisition team. PerkinElmer does not charge any job application fees. Offers of employment or job openings with requests for payment of fees are fraudulent. The FTC has provided additional consumer information regarding such scams here.