Principal Software Engineer

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) with 4% match

20 PTO days per year

13 holidays per year

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Principal Software Engineer for our Robotic Automation team in a fast-paced startup environment. You will architect and deliver fleet management, robotics data management, and MES software, collaborating with robotics, firmware, hardware, and software engineers to ensure robust, scalable systems.

You will design in C++ and Python, drive technical direction, and mentor others while owning clear documentation, code reviews, and testing practices to ensure high quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of relevant software engineering experience with leadership on complex systems.
• Experience in startup or fast-paced technology environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and development of fleet management, robotics data management, and MES systems.
• Design and build software in C++ and Python for monitoring, configuration, telemetry, and results tracking.
• Set technical direction for integration of automation stack with fleet, data management, and MES systems.
• Mentor engineers, conduct code reviews, and maintain high coding standards.
• Write and maintain unit tests and manage build configurations with CMake/Python tools.

Skills

C++ programming

Python programming

Distributed systems design

Robotics/automation experience

Mentoring/leadership

Unit testing

Multi-threading/concurrency

Version control (Git)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software/CS/Engineering

Tools

CMake

Python packaging

Google Test

pytest

SQL databases

Git

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Software Engineer on our Robotic Automation team. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Lead the architecture and development of our fleet management, robotics data management, and manufacturing execution software (MES) systems, working directly with our robotic automation stations.
• Design and build software in C++ and Python that supports station monitoring, configuration management, version management, telemetry and logging, and specs/results tracking.
• Set technical direction for how our automation stack (orchestration, scripts, device control, algorithms, motion planning, world modeling) integrates with fleet, data management, and MES systems.
• Drive architectural decisions on system interfaces, data flow, and communication between robotic stations and higher-level management systems.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers on the team, raising the bar on code quality, design, and engineering practices.
• Write and maintain unit tests to ensure software reliability and robustness.
• Manage build configurations and dependencies using CMake and/or Python packaging tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including robotics, firmware, hardware, and software engineers, to align on system design and delivery.
• Lead and participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and hold the team to strong coding practices.
• Own and maintain clear, well-structured technical documentation for the systems you design and build.
• Work independently and in a team while over-communicating with the manager, project engineer, and teammates.
• Use tenacity, patience, self-discipline, and passion for excellence to assure accuracy of execution schedule, data quality and integrity, conformance to company best practices, clarity in communication, and documentation.
• Use every opportunity to grow your own competency and the team's, through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Software Engineer on our Robotic Automation team. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Lead the architecture and development of our fleet management, robotics data management, and manufacturing execution software (MES) systems, working directly with our robotic automation stations.
• Design and build software in C++ and Python that supports station monitoring, configuration management, version management, telemetry and logging, and specs/results tracking.
• Set technical direction for how our automation stack (orchestration, scripts, device control, algorithms, motion planning, world modeling) integrates with fleet, data management, and MES systems.
• Drive architectural decisions on system interfaces, data flow, and communication between robotic stations and higher-level management systems.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers on the team, raising the bar on code quality, design, and engineering practices.
• Write and maintain unit tests to ensure software reliability and robustness.
• Manage build configurations and dependencies using CMake and/or Python packaging tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including robotics, firmware, hardware, and software engineers, to align on system design and delivery.
• Lead and participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and hold the team to strong coding practices.
• Own and maintain clear, well-structured technical documentation for the systems you design and build.
• Work independently and in a team while over-communicating with the manager, project engineer, and teammates.
• Use tenacity, patience, self-discipline, and passion for excellence to assure accuracy of execution schedule, data quality and integrity, conformance to company best practices, clarity in communication, and documentation.
• Use every opportunity to grow your own competency and the team's, through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.

Requirements

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8+ years of relevant software engineering experience, with a track record of technical leadership on complex systems.
• Experience working in a startup or fast-paced technology company environment is a plus.

Skills

• 8+ years of professional experience in C++ software development, and strong professional experience in Python.
• Strong understanding of modern C++ (C++17/20) and Python software design.
• Experience architecting distributed or multi-system software, ideally involving fleet management, data management, or manufacturing execution systems.
• Experience designing systems that communicate with and manage robotic or automated hardware stations.
• Strong database experience (SQL or similar) for systems involving logging, telemetry, specs, and results tracking.
• Experience with unit testing frameworks (Google Test for C++, pytest for Python) and a strong commitment to test coverage.
• Experience with CMake for build and project configuration, and familiarity with Python packaging and dependency management.
• Ability to debug, profile, and optimize software across both C++ and Python codebases.
• Experience working with version control systems (Git).
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently, lead technical initiatives, and mentor other engineers.
• Familiarity with multi-threaded programming and concurrency in C++.
• Knowledge of software best practices, including design patterns, SOLID principles, and performance optimization.
• Experience working in an agile development environment.
• Experience with robotics, industrial automation, or manufacturing systems is a strong plus.

Benefits

The expected annual salary range for this position is $195,000-$235,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch's comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

The expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch's comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.