Senior Staff Engineer, Software

Pacific Biosciences of California; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 196,000 - 294,000; Full time

Job summary

PacBio is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to design, develop, and deliver instrument control software for next-generation sequencing platforms. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and systems teams to solve complex system-level challenges and drive high-impact software solutions at the intersection of hardware and software.

The role requires 10+ years of software engineering, deep C#/.NET expertise, Python proficiency, and strong Linux experience, with a focus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience.
• Deep expertise in C#/.NET and proficiency in Python.
• Strong experience with real‑time or embedded systems and hardware‑software integration.
• Experience working with hardware systems such as robotics, optical systems, environmental sensors, or motion control.
• Strong proficiency with Linux environments.
• Solid understanding of software architecture, design principles, and best practices.
• Experience developing instrument control software, user interfaces, and system‑level integrations.
• Experience designing and implementing APIs (e.g., RESTful services).
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive complex technical projects from concept to production.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver business-critical instrument control software spanning multiple subsystems, directly impacting instrument performance, reliability, and customer experience
• Drive technical design and implementation for complex, high-risk areas, independently defining approach and managing technical risk
• Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and systems teams to ensure robust hardware-software integration and clear requirements
• Identify and resolve systemic issues in performance, reliability, and scalability, including proactively addressing technical debt
• Lead design and code reviews while contributing hands‑on development in C#/.NET, ensuring high-quality, maintainable software
• Influence system architecture and technical direction, and mentor engineers to elevate team-wide engineering standards

Skills

C#/.NET

Python

Real-time systems

Embedded systems

Hardware integration

Linux

REST APIs

System architecture

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) is a premier life science technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced sequencing solutions to help scientists and clinical researchers resolve genetically complex problems. Our mission is to enable the promise of genomics to better human health. Genomics is core to all biological processes, and our advanced genomics tools provide scientists and clinical researchers the insights to better understand biology and health. We are now entering the century of biology and genomics is at the heart of the next revolution. Become part of the new paradigm in gene sequencing and help shape the future of genomic study by joining the PacBio team.

Position Summary

The Senior Staff Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and delivering business-critical instrument control software for next-generation sequencing platforms. This is a highly visible, cross-functional role that works closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and systems engineering teams at PacBio. This role is ideal for a deeply technical engineer who thrives on solving complex system-level challenges and driving high-impact software solutions at the intersection of hardware and software.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver business-critical instrument control software spanning multiple subsystems, directly impacting instrument performance, reliability, and customer experience
• Drive technical design and implementation for complex, high-risk areas, independently defining approach and managing technical risk
• Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and systems teams to ensure robust hardware-software integration and clear requirements
• Identify and resolve systemic issues in performance, reliability, and scalability, including proactively addressing technical debt
• Lead design and code reviews while contributing hands‑on development in C#/.NET, ensuring high-quality, maintainable software
• Influence system architecture and technical direction, and mentor engineers to elevate team-wide engineering standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of software engineering experience
• Deep expertise in C#/.NET and proficiency in Python
• Strong experience with real‑time or embedded systems and hardware‑software integration
• Experience working with hardware systems such as robotics, optical systems, environmental sensors, or motion control
• Strong proficiency with Linux environments
• Solid understanding of software architecture, design principles, and best practices
• Experience developing instrument control software, user interfaces, and system‑level integrations
• Experience designing and implementing APIs (e.g., RESTful services)
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive complex technical projects from concept to production
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience developing scientific instrumentation
• Master's degree or higher in a technical field
• Experience working with firmware and low‑level system interactions (e.g., FPGA interfaces)
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies
• Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks
• Experience in life sciences, biotech, medical devices, or other regulated environments

Candidates must have current authorization to work in the United States without the need for present or future sponsorship.

You may be required from time to time to visit and work at PacBio locations and for such times as the Company considers necessary for the proper performance of your duties.

All listed tasks and responsibilities are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional tasks and responsibilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

#LI-OnsiteSalary Range:$195,900.00 - $293,900.00