Principal Software Systems Architect (opens in a new tab)

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego, CA, seeks a Principal Software Systems Architect to bridge photonic systems and software teams. You will translate complex optical and laser requirements into software specs, own delivery of GUI and SDK, and drive architecture across firmware, drivers, and user interfaces.

You will lead architecture reviews, establish software development practices, mentor engineers, and partner with leadership to scale our fast-growing hardware-software platform.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of software development for hardware-centric systems, with at least 5 years in architecture/technical lead roles.
• Proven track record delivering production software for complex electro-optical, scientific, or precision hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop software architecture for system control, data acquisition, monitoring, and GUI/SDK interfaces.
• Translate photonic system requirements into software requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Lead software verification strategies, including test plans and requirement traceability.
• Own scope, schedule, and release plans for GUI and SDK; drive delivery across teams.

Skills

Software architecture

Requirements flow-down

GUI development

Project leadership

Python

C/C++

C#

Communication skills

Optical systems

Ethernet/USB/serial

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Physics

Tools

SDK design

API specifications

Git/version control

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test team as a Principal Software Systems Architect. You will be the bridge between our photonic systems architecture and our software team, translating complex optical and laser system requirements into clear, testable software requirements, then owning delivery of the GUI and SDK that our customers use to operate those systems. This is a dynamic, hands‑on role for a self‑starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll work on cutting‑edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and build the software systems engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Develop a working command of the photonic system architecture, including laser control, frequency stabilization, power distribution, and system monitoring, well enough to translate system behavior into software requirements.
• Partner with the Photonic Systems Architect to decompose and flow down system requirements into software requirements, use cases, and acceptance criteria.
• Define the software architecture for system control, data acquisition, monitoring, and user interaction, including the layering between firmware, device drivers, control logic, SDK, and GUI
• Define and control software interfaces through interface control documents (ICDs), API specifications, and data models, working directly with electrical and firmware engineers on hardware/software interfaces.
• Serve as project engineer for the GUI and SDK: own scope, schedule, priorities, and release plans, and drive the software team to delivery.
• Establish software verification strategies, including test plans, requirements traceability, and system‑level integration testing on real hardware.
• Lead system‑level troubleshooting across the hardware/firmware/software boundary, and drive root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Define customer‑facing SDK and GUI functionality in partnership with product and applications teams, balancing usability, performance, and system protection.
• Present and defend software architecture and maturity at technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to leadership and customers.
• Establish software development practices, including version control, code review, configuration management, and release processes, that scale with the company.
• Mentor engineers and build a culture of technical rigor, ownership, and cross‑functional collaboration.

• 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

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of experience in software development for hardware‑centric systems, with at least 5 years in an architecture or technical lead role.

Skills

• Software architecture for instrument control, test and measurement, or embedded hardware systems
• Requirements development, flow‑down, and verification for software Hardware/software and firmware/software interface definition API and SDK design for external users.
• GUI development for complex technical systems.
• Proven track record of delivering production software for complex electro‑optical, scientific, or precision hardware.
• Experience leading software projects end to end, including scope, schedule, and release management.
• Proficiency in languages common to instrument control, such as Python, C/C++, or C#.
• Ability to learn deep technical domains quickly and communicate with physicists and hardware engineers in their language.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions across teams.
• Experience with laser systems, photonics, quantum systems, or precision metrology is a strong plus.
• Experience with communication protocols and control systems (e.g., Ethernet, USB, serial, PID loops) is a plus.

Startup Mindset

• You'recreative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You'repassionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

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.