Scientific Software Engineer - TERM

Vanderbilt University; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University seeks a versatile Scientific Software Engineer to develop software for next‑generation biomedical imaging systems, spanning hardware communication, instrument control, desktop/mobile apps, cloud infrastructure, data pipelines, and laboratory automation.

This role requires interfacing with custom biomedical hardware and supporting clinical research platforms, with HIPAA‑conscious data management and CI/CD practices.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Software Engineering, or related field is required.
• Strong professional software development experience is also required.
• Experience with hardware communication (USB, Serial, Bluetooth, TCP/IP, SDK integration) is required.
• Experience with OpenCV, NumPy, SciPy, and scientific computing is required.
• Desktop GUI development experience with Qt/.NET/Electron or similar is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for scientific instruments including cameras, spectrometers, OCT/fNIRS systems, motion stages, DAQ hardware, microcontrollers, Bluetooth and USB devices.
• Build real-time acquisition, processing, visualization, calibration, synchronization, and diagnostic software.
• Develop Android, iOS, Windows, and cross-platform applications for research and clinical workflows.
• Implement image processing, signal processing, AI integration, and scientific visualization; design laboratory automation tools for experiment management, data pipelines, inventory, reporting, and workflows.
• Develop HIPAA-conscious data management, cloud synchronization, and research databases.

Skills

Python

C++

C#

Java

Kotlin

OpenCV

NumPy

SciPy

Git

REST APIs

SQL

Linux

Docker

Bluetooth

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Software Engineering, or related field

Tools

LabVIEW

Qt

.NET

Electron

Camera APIs

Job description

Position Summary:

Please note that a cover letter is required to be considered for this position.

We are seeking a versatile Scientific Software Engineer to develop software for next-generation biomedical imaging systems, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), smartphone-based medical devices, AI-assisted imaging, and clinical research platforms. This role spans the complete software stack—from hardware communication and instrument control to desktop/mobile applications, cloud infrastructure, data analysis pipelines, and laboratory automation.

This is not a traditional app developer position. While mobile and desktop application development are important, the successful candidate must also be capable of interfacing directly with custom biomedical hardware, developing hardware communication layers and instrument control software, and supporting laboratory automation initiatives.

About the Work Unit:

The Biomedical Engineering department is within the Vanderbilt School of Engineering and is at the center of cutting edge and world-renowned research and discovery. This work will specifically be at the intersection of Medical Imaging and Biophotonics academic centers. You will help create first-in-class biomedical imaging technologies that improve healthcare access through innovations in optical imaging, wearable sensing, AI, and mobile health. Projects span NIH-funded research, translational medical devices, commercialization efforts, and advanced laboratory automation.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Develop software for scientific instruments including cameras, spectrometers, OCT/fNIRS systems, motion stages, DAQ hardware, microcontrollers, Bluetooth and USB devices.
• Build real-time acquisition, processing, visualization, calibration, synchronization, and diagnostic software.
• Develop Android, iOS, Windows, and cross-platform applications for research and clinical workflows.
• Implement image processing, signal processing, computer vision, AI integration, and scientific visualization. Design laboratory automation tools for experiment management, data pipelines, inventory, reporting, and operational workflows.
• Develop HIPAA-conscious data management, cloud synchronization, and research databases.
• Maintain high software quality using Git, testing, documentation, and CI/CD.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Primary Investigator.

Education and Certifications:

• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Software Engineering, or related field is required.
• Strong professional software development experience is also required.

Experience and Skills:

• Python, C++, and at least one of C#, Java, or Kotlin experience is required.
• Experience with OpenCV, NumPy, SciPy, and scientific computing is required.
• Hardware communication (USB, Serial, Bluetooth, TCP/IP, SDK integration, camera APIs, LabView) experience is required.
• Desktop GUI development (Qt, .NET, Electron, or similar) experience is required.
• Android development; additional iOS experience preferred.
• SQL, REST APIs, Docker, Linux, Git experience is required.
• Scientific instrumentation, medical devices, robotics, microscopy, OCT, fNIRS, biomedical imaging, computer vision, machine learning deployment, FDA-regulated software, HIPAA-compliant systems experience is preferred.
• Comfort working from low-level hardware interfaces through polished user interfaces is ideal.
• Enjoyment of interdisciplinary research with scientists and clinicians is ideal.
• Ability to independently solve ambiguous engineering problems and rapidly learn new technologies is ideal.