Senior Software Engineer

Oxford Instruments GmbH; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k plan

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is seeking a Senior Software Engineer in Santa Barbara, CA to lead development of advanced AFM software. You will work on the Ergo platform, implement new measurement modes, and build APIs for remote control, collaborating with Product Management, R&D, and Engineering teams.

The role requires strong C# skills, experience with complex instrumentation, and a track record of designing scalable software architectures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional software development experience.
• Advanced proficiency in C# including expertise in software architecture and asynchronous programming.
• Experience with complex systems, scientific instrumentation, or automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for Atomic Force Microscopy systems.
• Contribute to the continued development of the Ergo software platform.
• Implement new measurement modes, tools, and workflows.
• Develop software architectures for instrument control, automation, and data acquisition.
• Develop APIs to allow remote control capabilities.
• Contribute to usability improvements and intelligent workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Applications, R&D, Product Management, Service, and Engineering.
• Develop diagnostic, service, and production support tools.
• Participate in code reviews and software design discussions.
• Troubleshoot complex software and instrumentation issues and provide solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices.

Skills

C# development

Software architecture

Asynchronous programming

Analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EE or Physics

Tools

Python

gRPC

Modern C++

C++/CLI

Job description

Senior Software Engineer

Date: Sep 15, 2026

Location: Santa Barbara, CA, US

Job Function: Technical

Business Unit: Asylum Research

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (hybrid)

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer

Reports to: Software Engineering Manager

About Oxford Instruments

Our purpose is to accelerate the breakthroughs that create a brighter future for our world. Our technology and scientific expertise enable our customers to discover and bring to market exciting new advances that drive human progress. We aim to be the scientific instrumentation partner in every significant lab and production facility across the world.

Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is a manufacturer of instrumentation for the nanotechnology industry and research. Specifically, we design, build and sell Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) which are used to analyze material topography, elasticity, conductivity and other properties.

We are part of the wider Oxford Instruments Group that includes the Imaging & Analysis Division. The I&A Division includes Andor Technology, our Electron Microscopy products, NanoIndentor, Raman products and NMR product lines. Plasma Technology and X-Ray Technology are part of the Advanced Technology Division. With a sixty-year history, and fourteen Queen’s Awards and a King’s Award for Enterprise, our world-class products and technologies are helping our customers to address the greatest challenges of the 21st century.

We Want To Empower Our Employees So That They Innovate, Support Our Growth And Improve Our Productivity. We Support Them To Make The Right Decisions And Reach Their Full Potential As They Develop Their Careers At Oxford Instruments. Our Ways Of Working Are Lived Every Day And Are As Follows

• We start with the customer
• We succeed by being focused
• We make and keep our promises
• We work together as one team
• We help and trust each other to succeed

About The Opportunity

Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is seeking a talented Senior Software Engineer to support the development of our critical next-generation AFM software platform. This platform is enabling more automated, intuitive, and high-performance nanoscale measurements.

The Senior Software Engineer will bring strong C# development skills, along with experience with complex architecture and a proven ability to solve highly technical challenges.

This individual will collaborate closely with Product Management, Applications Scientists, Engineering, and R&D teams to expand instrument capabilities, enhance automation, support API development, and improve the overall customer experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the evolution of software that powers some of the world's most advanced atomic force microscopy systems.

Key Job Responsibilities Include, But Not Limited To

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for Atomic Force Microscopy systems.
• Contribute to the continued development and expansion of the Ergo software platform.
• Implement new measurement modes, tools, and workflows.
• Develop software architectures for instrument control, automation, and data acquisition.
• Develop APIs to allow remote control capabilities.
• Contribute to usability improvements and ease-of-use features, including intelligent workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Applications, R&D, Product Management, Service, and Engineering.
• Develop diagnostic, service, and production support tools.
• Participate in code reviews, software design discussions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Troubleshoot complex software and instrumentation issues and provide effective technical solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote software engineering best practices.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional software development experience.
• Advanced proficiency in C# including expertise in software architecture and asynchronous programming.
• Experience with complex systems, scientific instrumentation, or automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred

• AFM or scientific instrumentation experience.
• Python or gRPC development experience.
• Experience defining and implementing interface specifications.
• Design for usability and customer experience.
• Experience with modern C++ or C++/CLI.

Salary

In accordance with California law, the expected salary for this full-time, benefited position is between $150,000 - $180,000. The actual compensation will be determined considering factors such as relevant skills and experience and other factors permitted by law.

Oxford Instruments Perks And Benefits

• Generous benefit packages - We offer our employees competitive health insurance options, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Our 401k program has options for saving both pre- and post-tax dollars for retirement.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) Work-life balance is a key part of our company culture here at OI, and we know that our employees do their best work when they can take the time they need to rest and recharge.

Employees start with 4 weeks of PTO, which is accrued each pay period.

• Holidays - We recognize 12 holidays this year
• In addition to all the standard PTO options, Oxford Instruments proudly offers a generous and progressive paid family leave policy.
• Professional Development - Oxford Instruments supports you and your professional development with $5,250 available in annual tuition reimbursement after 6 months of service.

Oxford Instruments is an equal opportunity employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Oxford Instruments is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

E-Verify

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the I-9 Form.

Nearest Major Market

Santa Barbara

Nearest Secondary Market

Santa Maria