Software Engineer

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare benefits

Job summary

North Carolina State University is seeking a Software Engineer to develop backend services, APIs, and tools for the SPEED platform. You will work on workflow orchestration, job scheduling, and integration with robotics, AI, and data services, ensuring reliable deployments across cloud and on-premises environments.

The role emphasizes strong software engineering practices, testing, and documentation, with opportunities to collaborate with researchers and engineers across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software/computer engineering, or related field.
• Three or more years of relevant software-development experience.
• Proficiency in Python programming and software engineering fundamentals.
• Development and integration of REST APIs, backend services, databases, and event- or workflow-driven systems.
• Use of Git and Linux-based development environments, including automated testing, debugging, and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain backend services, APIs, experiment-submission tools, and user-facing applications for SPEED.
• Integrate workflow orchestration, scheduling, job queues, platform monitoring, and experiment status tracking.
• Connect robotics, scientific instruments, data services, and AI/optimization tools through reliable software interfaces.
• Deploy and maintain cloud and local services, containers, authentication, logging, monitoring, and related infrastructure.
• Apply strong software engineering practices, including testing, version control, documentation, release management, and reliability engineering.

Skills

Python programming

REST APIs

Backend development

Distributed systems

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Tools

Git

Linux

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Cloud infrastructure

Infrastructure as code

Job description

Software Engineer

Working Title: Software Engineer

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Department: Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs

Anticipated Hiring Range: $70,000-$80,000

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (additional work outside of standard hours may be required due to business needs)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0 (40 hours/week)

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Position Number: 00112346

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License required: No

About the Department

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering's primary research mission involves managing high-impact, multi-disciplinary research initiatives, specialized laboratory facilities, and large-scale sponsor portfolios. To support faculty innovation and maintain seamless operations across complex grant portfolios, the department utilizes embedded administrative professionals who provide direct, localized support to large faculty research groups, multi-investigator centers, and specialized laboratory infrastructure. Operate the Self-driving Platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design (SPEED) as an NSF-funded national autonomous-science user facility. Provide remote access to integrated self-driving laboratories. Connect robotics, scientific instruments, AI, and data infrastructure. Enable reproducible experiments in chemistry and materials science. Serve academic, government, and industry research users.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Essential Job Duties

• Develop and maintain backend services, APIs, experiment-submission tools, and user-facing applications for SPEED.
• Integrate workflow orchestration, scheduling, job queues, platform monitoring, and experiment status tracking.
• Connect robotics, scientific instruments, data services, and AI/optimization tools through reliable software interfaces.
• Deploy and maintain cloud and local services, containers, authentication, logging, monitoring, and related infrastructure.
• Apply strong software engineering practices, including testing, version control, documentation, release management, and reliability engineering.
• Support platform commissioning, user onboarding, troubleshooting, and technical demonstrations for internal and external SPEED users.

This role offers the opportunity to build the digital backbone of a national autonomous experimentation user facility, enabling researchers to remotely design, execute, monitor, and analyze experiments across integrated robotic laboratories. We welcome software engineers with experience building backend services, APIs, and software integrations across complex technical environments.

Other Responsibilities

• Evaluate vendor APIs, SDKs, and integration approaches.
• Participate in architecture and cybersecurity reviews.
• Create technical documentation and developer/user guides.
• Train staff and researchers on SPEED software tools.
• Provide occasional after-hours support for critical systems.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software/computer engineering, or related field.

Other Required Qualifications

• Three or more years of relevant software-development experience.
• Proficiency in Python programming and software engineering fundamentals
• Development and integration of REST APIs, backend services, databases, and event- or workflow-driven systems.
• Use of Git and Linux-based development environments, including automated testing, debugging, and technical documentation.
• Agentic coding.
• Deployment and operation of software in cloud or on-premises environments, including containers, monitoring, and logging.
• Integration of software across heterogeneous hardware and software systems.
• Technical communication and collaborative problem-solving across software, hardware, engineering, and research teams.
• Experience building production APIs, backend services, or distributed applications.
• Experience with databases, Linux, Git, testing, and deployment workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Development or support of scientific software or research-computing systems.
• Integration of laboratory automation, robotics, or instrument-control systems.
• Implementation of workflow orchestration, schedulers, message queues, or microservices.
• Use of Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure, or infrastructure-as-code.
• Integration of AI/ML services into software systems or autonomous experimentation workflows.
• Experience supporting external users or shared research facilities.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

EEO & Inclusion

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.