Software Engineer, Lab Automation and Instrument Integration

ASTRO; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ASTRO in Los Angeles is building a connected lab software platform to ingest and structure data from test equipment and manufacturing machines. The role focuses on linking hardware to software, turning raw outputs into clean, timestamped data for downstream analytics and control.

You will develop drivers and connectors, work with SDKs and industrial protocols, and help deploy repeatable integrations across lab sites while contributing documentation for future expansions.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years in software, controls, test automation, or lab automation.
• Strong Python; knowledge of C# or C++ is a plus.
• Experience integrating hardware, instruments, or PLCs with software systems.
• Able to read equipment manuals and handle undocumented file formats.
• Hands-on attitude with lab time and desk work.

Responsibilities

• Build drivers, connectors and file-ingest services for test equipment and manufacturing machines.
• Work with vendor SDKs, OPC UA, Modbus, serial and instrument export formats.
• Capture machine logs, test results and calibration records automatically.
• Help set up, configure and troubleshoot equipment in the lab.
• Write documentation so each integration can be repeated at future sites.

Skills

Software development

Python

C/C++

Tools

LabVIEW

Ignition

Node-RED

Job description

ASTRO is a bootstrapped engineering, testing and advanced manufacturing company in Los Angeles. We have grown without outside funding. We started by providing engineering and testing services, expanded into additive manufacturing parts, and are now building connected lab systems for our customers.

Our first reference lab is being built in our Los Angeles facility, and this team will build its software. It will be followed by a mirror lab and two smaller satellite labs that communicate with the mirror. All of this needs to be executed by Q2 2027, after which we will expand to additional labs and sites.

The role

You will connect our lab's test equipment to the software platform, turning its output into clean, structured, time-stamped data without anyone retyping it.

What you will do

• Build drivers, connectors and file-ingest services for test equipment and manufacturing machines
• Work with vendor SDKs, OPC UA, Modbus, serial and instrument export formats
• Capture machine logs, test results and calibration records automatically, along with the context they came from
• Help set up, configure and troubleshoot equipment in the lab
• Write documentation so each integration can be repeated at future sites

What you bring

• 3 to 6 years in software, controls, test automation or lab automation
• Strong Python; C# or C++ is a plus
• Experience integrating hardware, instruments or PLCs with software systems
• Comfort reading equipment manuals and working through undocumented file formats
• Hands-on attitude: you enjoy time in the lab as much as at a desk

Helpful to have

• Experience with test or measurement equipment
• Familiarity with manufacturing machines or their data
• Experience with LabVIEW, Ignition, Node-RED or a similar industrial toolset