LEAD COMPUTER SCIENTIST - LEAD ENGINEER - SR. COMPUTER SCIENTIST - LabVIEW Developer

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX, seeks an experienced LabVIEW software engineer to develop, maintain, and deploy MoSAIC-based data acquisition and test automation systems.

You will work with a team of instrumentation and controls experts to deliver robust LabVIEW applications, integrate NI hardware, RTOS, and real-time data acquisition, and contribute across requirements, design, development, testing, and deployment stages.

Qualifications

• 7–12 years of LabVIEW development experience.
• Must have NI CLD certification or be willing to obtain within 2 years.
• Strong communication, planning, and task-tracking abilities.
• Experience with real-time hardware and data acquisition systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support LabVIEW-based MoSAIC software for data acquisition and test automation.
• Collaborate with instrumentation and controls teams to meet project objectives.
• Lead or contribute to requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Troubleshoot software, RTOS, and NI hardware (PXI, CompactRIO) in lab and field settings.

Skills

LabVIEW development

Project management

Communication skills

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering or similar

Tools

NI PXI/CompactRIO

NI Real-Time OS (RTOS)

Certification: CLD

Job description

Who We Are:

We develop, maintain, and advance MoSAIC™ (Modular System for Automation, Instrumentation, and Control), our LabVIEW-based software platform designed for automated R&D testing of electro-mechanical systems and components. MoSAIC™ enables seamless data acquisition, real-time control, scripting, and logging through integration with National Instruments (NI) hardware (e.g., PXI, CompactRIO) and RTOS. The platform supports a wide range of applications, including testing vehicle battery packs, electric motors, electric vehicles, internal combustion engines, drivetrains, locomotives, & many others.

Objectives of this Role:

Collaborate with a team of data acquisition, instrumentation, and controls experts to develop, maintain, and deploy LabVIEW-based MoSAIC™ software solutions to support data acquisition, test system control, and automation for a wide variety of systems across a 300+ person labor.Apply expertise in LabVIEW, NI Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), and associated NI hardware to streamline test cell operations, increase resource efficiency, and meet challenging R&D objectives.Lead or contribute to all phases of system/software integration: Requirements Gathering and Analysis, System Design, Development, Integration and Testing, Acceptance, System Installation, Deployment, Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Data Security.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

Work in a team or independently to develop and support LabVIEW-based applications for controlling test articles in R&D testing environments.The working environment will include office as well as laboratory/field assignments.Capture user requirements, analyze needs, and refine software designs within time and cost constraints.Provide software modifications, enhancements, and technical assessments as lab needs evolve.Troubleshoot software, RTOS, instrumentation hardware (e.g., PXI, CompactRIO), sensors, and associated systems.Engage in hands-on troubleshooting and fieldwork to ensure software and hardware align with project requirements.Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and project stakeholders to deliver integrated solutions.Primary job function is located at the SwRI main campus in San Antonio, Texas.Travel required on an as-needed basis to conduct project work.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering or similar Computer Science or engineering degree with related experience.7 - 12 years: Must have LabVIEW development experience and expertise.
• Must have NI Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) certification, and, if none, must be willing and able to obtain CLD certification within 2 years of start of employment and CLA within 4 years.
• Must have sufficient communication skills.
• Must possess project management experience, specifically regarding level of effort estimating and task planning & tracking.
• Must have working knowledge of the following phases of system/software integration: Requirements Gathering and Analysis, System Design, Development, Integration and Testing, Acceptance, System Installation, Deployment, Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Data Security.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) due to ITAR work in section.

Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Powertrain Engineering home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.