Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Closing Date: 23rd February 2026 Salary Band: £40k - £50k (depending on experience) Full Time, Sheffield, UK Do you want to utilise your skills to make a real-world impact working at the forefront of the most impactful industry of the 21st century? Do you love building and have a passion for biotechnology? Do you find joy working across all electronics disciplines, from board design and electronics production to embedded systems? We seek a driven and enthusiastic engineer to help us design, prototype, and manufacture our bioproduction instruments. You will work on all aspects of our electronics R&D - from breadboard prototypes to electronics and embedded systems to power our bioproduction systems in regulated environments. You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big). You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of electronics, embedded systems, software, and translation systems across bench, fabrication, production, and client-use environments. You are a born builder; your spare time is likely spent deconstructing and rebuilding engineered systems. You thrive in a collaborative team environment under tight deadlines and have a professional background in electronics and electromechanical systems manufacturing. WE VALUE A bias for action to build products with customer value. Engineers who care about what they build, not just how. Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords. Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude. People who take responsibility and follow problems through. Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter, not harder. Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed. THE ROLE You will play a leading role in a growing engineering team, designing, building, testing, and manufacturing novel bioproduction systems. You will be directly involved in the entire electronics product development cycle, from understanding user and system requirements to creating prototypes, delivering manufactured products, and ensuring ongoing uptime and monitoring for networked bioproduction systems deployed in the field. You must be comfortable operating with uncertainty and upskilling to meet new challenges. This role involves both independent work with high autonomy and collaborative work, where clear, consistent communication and attention to detail are paramount. The startup journey is not easy, nor is it for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years. Key Responsibilities: Operational oversight of electronics development projects (board design, embedded systems, system controllers, wiring, EMI-testing), including technical progress and regulatory compliance. Prototyping designs in our electronics workshop to rapidly test concepts and coordinate with our internal team, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Translating prototypes into manufacturable boards that enable the reliable operation of our bioproduction systems. True full-stack software engineering, from embedded systems to inter-machine communications and data infrastructure management. NEED TO HAVE A pragmatic, builder's mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving. Proven experience designing, assembling, and debugging electronics hardware (e.g., PCBs, wiring looms, sensors, power electronics). Hands-on experience with embedded systems; firmware development in C/C++ or similar for microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32, ARM). Understanding of control systems, signal conditioning, and basic circuit design. Competence with software integration between embedded systems and higher-level applications (e.g., via serial, CAN, Ethernet, or similar protocols). Experience developing or maintaining full-stack software with a Python, Node.js, or similar backend; basic front-end exposure (React, Vue, etc.) is desirable. Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept, prototyping, design for manufacture, verification/validation, and client delivery. NICE TO HAVE Exposure to industrial control, robotics, or bioprocess instrumentation. Understanding of compliance testing (EMC, CE, UL) and design for reliability. Familiarity with Python for control and analytics. Prior experience working in small, fast-moving startup environments. Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team. While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >2 years of industry experience. BENEFITS Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment. The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - you could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure. Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions. Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre. ABOUT US Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business. JOIN OUR TEAM Please fill the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.
06/02/2026
Full time
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Closing Date: 23rd February 2026 Salary Band: £40k - £50k (depending on experience) Full Time, Sheffield, UK Do you want to utilise your skills to make a real-world impact working at the forefront of the most impactful industry of the 21st century? Do you love building and have a passion for biotechnology? Do you find joy working across all electronics disciplines, from board design and electronics production to embedded systems? We seek a driven and enthusiastic engineer to help us design, prototype, and manufacture our bioproduction instruments. You will work on all aspects of our electronics R&D - from breadboard prototypes to electronics and embedded systems to power our bioproduction systems in regulated environments. You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big). You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of electronics, embedded systems, software, and translation systems across bench, fabrication, production, and client-use environments. You are a born builder; your spare time is likely spent deconstructing and rebuilding engineered systems. You thrive in a collaborative team environment under tight deadlines and have a professional background in electronics and electromechanical systems manufacturing. WE VALUE A bias for action to build products with customer value. Engineers who care about what they build, not just how. Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords. Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude. People who take responsibility and follow problems through. Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter, not harder. Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed. THE ROLE You will play a leading role in a growing engineering team, designing, building, testing, and manufacturing novel bioproduction systems. You will be directly involved in the entire electronics product development cycle, from understanding user and system requirements to creating prototypes, delivering manufactured products, and ensuring ongoing uptime and monitoring for networked bioproduction systems deployed in the field. You must be comfortable operating with uncertainty and upskilling to meet new challenges. This role involves both independent work with high autonomy and collaborative work, where clear, consistent communication and attention to detail are paramount. The startup journey is not easy, nor is it for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years. Key Responsibilities: Operational oversight of electronics development projects (board design, embedded systems, system controllers, wiring, EMI-testing), including technical progress and regulatory compliance. Prototyping designs in our electronics workshop to rapidly test concepts and coordinate with our internal team, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Translating prototypes into manufacturable boards that enable the reliable operation of our bioproduction systems. True full-stack software engineering, from embedded systems to inter-machine communications and data infrastructure management. NEED TO HAVE A pragmatic, builder's mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving. Proven experience designing, assembling, and debugging electronics hardware (e.g., PCBs, wiring looms, sensors, power electronics). Hands-on experience with embedded systems; firmware development in C/C++ or similar for microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32, ARM). Understanding of control systems, signal conditioning, and basic circuit design. Competence with software integration between embedded systems and higher-level applications (e.g., via serial, CAN, Ethernet, or similar protocols). Experience developing or maintaining full-stack software with a Python, Node.js, or similar backend; basic front-end exposure (React, Vue, etc.) is desirable. Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept, prototyping, design for manufacture, verification/validation, and client delivery. NICE TO HAVE Exposure to industrial control, robotics, or bioprocess instrumentation. Understanding of compliance testing (EMC, CE, UL) and design for reliability. Familiarity with Python for control and analytics. Prior experience working in small, fast-moving startup environments. Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team. While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >2 years of industry experience. BENEFITS Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment. The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - you could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure. Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions. Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre. ABOUT US Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business. JOIN OUR TEAM Please fill the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Closing Date: 23rd February 2026 Salary Band: £40k - £55k (depending on experience) Full Time, Sheffield, UK Do you want to build the backend systems that power autonomous laboratories? Do you enjoy designing reliable, high-performance services and data systems that other engineers depend on? Do you want to work at the intersection of software, hardware, and real-world scientific workflows, where correctness actually matters? At Unicorn Biotechnologies, we are building autonomous laboratory systems that combine robotics, biology, and software. We are looking for a Backend Engineer to build the core backend services and data foundations that enable our scientist-facing products and internal tools. You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big). WE VALUE A bias for action to build products with customer value. Engineers who care about what they build, not just how. Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords. Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude. People who take responsibility and follow problems through. Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter. Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed. THE ROLE As a Backend Engineer at Unicorn, you will be responsible for designing and building the backend systems that support our platform. This role is fundamentally about reliability, data integrity, security, and scalable system design. You will build services, APIs, data models, and supporting infrastructure that enable our full-stack engineers, scientists, and hardware teams to build great products on a trustworthy foundation. You will work closely with our engineering and science teams to define and implement backend systems that support: Instrument control and orchestration workflows. Data capture, storage, auditability, and traceability. Secure user management and permissions. Integrations with internal systems (LIMS, ERP, accounting, QC workflows). cGxP-adjacent requirements where needed (e.g., CFR Part 11 compliance). This is a role for someone who enjoys building the "spine" of a product, the systems that must be correct, observable, and dependable. The startup journey is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years. Key Responsibilities: Design and implement backend services that support Unicorn's products and internal tooling. Own database design and data modelling (including performance, integrity, migrations, and traceability). Build and maintain APIs and service contracts that enable product features. Ensure systems are observable, debuggable, and reliable (logging, metrics, monitoring, alerting). secure authentication/authorization and permission systems. Support integrations across internal operational systems (e.g., ERP, accounting, LIMS). Collaborate with embedded and hardware teams to support instrument workflows and machine data. Contribute to cGxP-adjacent compliance efforts when required (audit trails, access controls, electronic records, validation support). Identify and reduce technical risk (failure modes, data loss, security issues, operational fragility). NEED TO HAVE A pragmatic, builder's mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving. Demonstrated experience building and managing scalable data infrastructure systems. Strong proficiency in Python (or equivalent backend language; Python preferred). Solid experience working with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and data modelling. Experience designing and maintaining reliable APIs and backend services. Comfort taking ownership of system reliability and technical risk. Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with non-software experts. NICE TO HAVE Experience with event-driven systems, async processing, job queues, or workflow orchestration. Experience working with time-series data, scientific data, or instrument telemetry. Experience in regulated environments (GxP, CFR Part 11, validation, audit trails). Familiarity with infrastructure tooling (containers, CI/CD, deployment pipelines, observability). Experience interfacing with embedded systems (e.g., C/C++ for machine control or hardware integration). Proficiency with AI-assisted software engineering tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Gemini). Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team. Comfortable working in small, fast-moving startup environments. While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >3-5 years of industry experience. BENEFITS Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment. The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - your products could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure. Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions. Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers. A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work. You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre. ABOUT US Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business. JOIN OUR TEAM Submit your application here: Please fill out the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.
06/02/2026
Full time
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Closing Date: 23rd February 2026 Salary Band: £40k - £55k (depending on experience) Full Time, Sheffield, UK Do you want to build the backend systems that power autonomous laboratories? Do you enjoy designing reliable, high-performance services and data systems that other engineers depend on? Do you want to work at the intersection of software, hardware, and real-world scientific workflows, where correctness actually matters? At Unicorn Biotechnologies, we are building autonomous laboratory systems that combine robotics, biology, and software. We are looking for a Backend Engineer to build the core backend services and data foundations that enable our scientist-facing products and internal tools. You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big). WE VALUE A bias for action to build products with customer value. Engineers who care about what they build, not just how. Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords. Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude. People who take responsibility and follow problems through. Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter. Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed. THE ROLE As a Backend Engineer at Unicorn, you will be responsible for designing and building the backend systems that support our platform. This role is fundamentally about reliability, data integrity, security, and scalable system design. You will build services, APIs, data models, and supporting infrastructure that enable our full-stack engineers, scientists, and hardware teams to build great products on a trustworthy foundation. You will work closely with our engineering and science teams to define and implement backend systems that support: Instrument control and orchestration workflows. Data capture, storage, auditability, and traceability. Secure user management and permissions. Integrations with internal systems (LIMS, ERP, accounting, QC workflows). cGxP-adjacent requirements where needed (e.g., CFR Part 11 compliance). This is a role for someone who enjoys building the "spine" of a product, the systems that must be correct, observable, and dependable. The startup journey is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years. Key Responsibilities: Design and implement backend services that support Unicorn's products and internal tooling. Own database design and data modelling (including performance, integrity, migrations, and traceability). Build and maintain APIs and service contracts that enable product features. Ensure systems are observable, debuggable, and reliable (logging, metrics, monitoring, alerting). secure authentication/authorization and permission systems. Support integrations across internal operational systems (e.g., ERP, accounting, LIMS). Collaborate with embedded and hardware teams to support instrument workflows and machine data. Contribute to cGxP-adjacent compliance efforts when required (audit trails, access controls, electronic records, validation support). Identify and reduce technical risk (failure modes, data loss, security issues, operational fragility). NEED TO HAVE A pragmatic, builder's mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving. Demonstrated experience building and managing scalable data infrastructure systems. Strong proficiency in Python (or equivalent backend language; Python preferred). Solid experience working with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and data modelling. Experience designing and maintaining reliable APIs and backend services. Comfort taking ownership of system reliability and technical risk. Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with non-software experts. NICE TO HAVE Experience with event-driven systems, async processing, job queues, or workflow orchestration. Experience working with time-series data, scientific data, or instrument telemetry. Experience in regulated environments (GxP, CFR Part 11, validation, audit trails). Familiarity with infrastructure tooling (containers, CI/CD, deployment pipelines, observability). Experience interfacing with embedded systems (e.g., C/C++ for machine control or hardware integration). Proficiency with AI-assisted software engineering tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Gemini). Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team. Comfortable working in small, fast-moving startup environments. While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >3-5 years of industry experience. BENEFITS Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment. The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - your products could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure. Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions. Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers. A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work. You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre. ABOUT US Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business. JOIN OUR TEAM Submit your application here: Please fill out the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.
A biotech company in Sheffield is seeking a Backend Engineer to design and build backend systems that support their innovative products. The role involves creating reliable services, APIs, and data models essential for their scientific workflows. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in Python, experience with relational databases like PostgreSQL, and excellent problem-solving skills. The company offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant personal and professional growth.
06/02/2026
Full time
A biotech company in Sheffield is seeking a Backend Engineer to design and build backend systems that support their innovative products. The role involves creating reliable services, APIs, and data models essential for their scientific workflows. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in Python, experience with relational databases like PostgreSQL, and excellent problem-solving skills. The company offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant personal and professional growth.
A leading biotechnology firm in Sheffield is seeking an enthusiastic engineer to design and manufacture bioproduction instruments. The role involves developing and prototyping electronics systems, focusing on hands-on embedded systems and software integration. Candidates should have a strong background in electronics design, with opportunities to significantly impact scientific discoveries and product development. Enjoy a culture that values autonomy and collaboration in an innovative environment.
06/02/2026
Full time
A leading biotechnology firm in Sheffield is seeking an enthusiastic engineer to design and manufacture bioproduction instruments. The role involves developing and prototyping electronics systems, focusing on hands-on embedded systems and software integration. Candidates should have a strong background in electronics design, with opportunities to significantly impact scientific discoveries and product development. Enjoy a culture that values autonomy and collaboration in an innovative environment.
A leading biotech firm located in Sheffield is seeking a Full Stack Software Engineer. The role involves designing, developing, and maintaining software solutions that support laboratory workflows and autonomous systems. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in Python and React, possess a builder's mindset, and thrive in collaborative teams. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to make a substantial impact in scientific research.
05/02/2026
Full time
A leading biotech firm located in Sheffield is seeking a Full Stack Software Engineer. The role involves designing, developing, and maintaining software solutions that support laboratory workflows and autonomous systems. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in Python and React, possess a builder's mindset, and thrive in collaborative teams. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to make a substantial impact in scientific research.
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Closing Date: 23rd February 2026 Salary Band: £40k - £55k (depending on experience) Full Time, Sheffield, UK Do you want to build software that directly controls real-world scientific instruments? Do you want to work on products that scientists use every day to run experiments, generate data, and make discoveries? Do you enjoy owning problems end-to-end, from concept to deployed system, rather than working on isolated tickets? At Unicorn Biotechnologies, we are building autonomous laboratory systems that combine hardware, biology, and software. We are looking for a Full Stack Software Engineer to help us turn complex laboratory workflows into intuitive, reliable software tools that delight our users. We seek a full-stack engineer to help us design, prototype, and build our software products and platforms. You will work across all aspects of our software development - from building APIs and integrating Unicorn and 3rd party instruments and robotics, to owning web applications and helping to build new data-analysis tools. You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big). You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of software and information technology systems, thrive in collaborative teams under tight deadlines, and have demonstrable experience taking an idea from wireframe to a commercially deployed, scalable product. You are a born builder; you likely spend your evenings and weekends building new tools and upskilling on emerging technologies. WE VALUE A bias for action to build products with customer value. Engineers who care about what they build, not just how. Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords. Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude. People who take responsibility and follow problems through. Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter. Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed. THE ROLE As a Full Stack Software Engineer at Unicorn, you will build and maintain scientist-facing software products and internal tooling that sit at the heart of our platform. You will work closely with our science, electronics, and mechanical engineering teams to design and ship software that: Controls and monitors laboratory instruments and autonomous equipment. Enables data analysis and visualisation. Integrates AI-driven tools into real experimental workflows. Streamlines internal operations across R&D, quality, and product development. You will report directly to our Engineering team lead, who sets overall product direction and technical strategy. Within that framework, you will have significant autonomy and creative freedom to design systems, propose solutions, and take ownership of problems from first principles through to deployment. This is a hands-on, product-focused role for a strong generalist who enjoys working across the stack and working closely with real users. The startup journey is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Design and build scientist-facing web applications for controlling laboratory instruments and autonomous systems. Develop new software tools and products that support data analysis, experimentation, and AI-driven workflows. Build and maintain backend services and APIs in support of product features. Develop internal tooling to support product development and operations (e.g., integrating ERP, accounting systems, and LIMS for automated quality control) Work closely with Unicorn's science team daily to understand workflows and translate real needs into robust software. Interface with real-world users and paying customers to gather feedback and iterate rapidly. Collaborate with hardware and embedded systems engineers, including interfacing with machine control systems. Contribute to software used in cGxP-adjacent contexts, including supporting regulatory compliance where required. NEED TO HAVE A pragmatic, builder's mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving. Demonstrated experience building and shipping production software. Strong proficiency in Python and React (or equivalent modern frameworks). Comfort working across the stack and owning features end-to-end. Experience designing clean, maintainable systems rather than just implementing tickets. Ability to work closely with non-software engineers and domain experts. Willingness to engage with users, take feedback, and iterate quickly. Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept, prototyping, design for manufacture, verification/validation, and client delivery. NICE TO HAVE Experience interfacing with embedded systems (e.g., C/C++ for machine control or hardware integration). Experience working in or adjacent to regulated environments (e.g., CFR Part 11, GxP). Familiarity with data analysis workflows and scientific software. Proficiency using AI-assisted software engineering tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Gemini). Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team. Comfortable working in small, fast-moving startup environments. While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >3-5 years of industry experience. BENEFITS Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment. The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - your products could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure. Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions. Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers. A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work. You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre. ABOUT US Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business. JOIN OUR TEAM Submit your application here: Please fill out the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.
05/02/2026
Full time
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Closing Date: 23rd February 2026 Salary Band: £40k - £55k (depending on experience) Full Time, Sheffield, UK Do you want to build software that directly controls real-world scientific instruments? Do you want to work on products that scientists use every day to run experiments, generate data, and make discoveries? Do you enjoy owning problems end-to-end, from concept to deployed system, rather than working on isolated tickets? At Unicorn Biotechnologies, we are building autonomous laboratory systems that combine hardware, biology, and software. We are looking for a Full Stack Software Engineer to help us turn complex laboratory workflows into intuitive, reliable software tools that delight our users. We seek a full-stack engineer to help us design, prototype, and build our software products and platforms. You will work across all aspects of our software development - from building APIs and integrating Unicorn and 3rd party instruments and robotics, to owning web applications and helping to build new data-analysis tools. You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfill our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world (we think and go for big). You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of software and information technology systems, thrive in collaborative teams under tight deadlines, and have demonstrable experience taking an idea from wireframe to a commercially deployed, scalable product. You are a born builder; you likely spend your evenings and weekends building new tools and upskilling on emerging technologies. WE VALUE A bias for action to build products with customer value. Engineers who care about what they build, not just how. Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords. Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude. People who take responsibility and follow problems through. Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter. Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed. THE ROLE As a Full Stack Software Engineer at Unicorn, you will build and maintain scientist-facing software products and internal tooling that sit at the heart of our platform. You will work closely with our science, electronics, and mechanical engineering teams to design and ship software that: Controls and monitors laboratory instruments and autonomous equipment. Enables data analysis and visualisation. Integrates AI-driven tools into real experimental workflows. Streamlines internal operations across R&D, quality, and product development. You will report directly to our Engineering team lead, who sets overall product direction and technical strategy. Within that framework, you will have significant autonomy and creative freedom to design systems, propose solutions, and take ownership of problems from first principles through to deployment. This is a hands-on, product-focused role for a strong generalist who enjoys working across the stack and working closely with real users. The startup journey is not easy, nor for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Design and build scientist-facing web applications for controlling laboratory instruments and autonomous systems. Develop new software tools and products that support data analysis, experimentation, and AI-driven workflows. Build and maintain backend services and APIs in support of product features. Develop internal tooling to support product development and operations (e.g., integrating ERP, accounting systems, and LIMS for automated quality control) Work closely with Unicorn's science team daily to understand workflows and translate real needs into robust software. Interface with real-world users and paying customers to gather feedback and iterate rapidly. Collaborate with hardware and embedded systems engineers, including interfacing with machine control systems. Contribute to software used in cGxP-adjacent contexts, including supporting regulatory compliance where required. NEED TO HAVE A pragmatic, builder's mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving. Demonstrated experience building and shipping production software. Strong proficiency in Python and React (or equivalent modern frameworks). Comfort working across the stack and owning features end-to-end. Experience designing clean, maintainable systems rather than just implementing tickets. Ability to work closely with non-software engineers and domain experts. Willingness to engage with users, take feedback, and iterate quickly. Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept, prototyping, design for manufacture, verification/validation, and client delivery. NICE TO HAVE Experience interfacing with embedded systems (e.g., C/C++ for machine control or hardware integration). Experience working in or adjacent to regulated environments (e.g., CFR Part 11, GxP). Familiarity with data analysis workflows and scientific software. Proficiency using AI-assisted software engineering tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Gemini). Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team. Comfortable working in small, fast-moving startup environments. While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >3-5 years of industry experience. BENEFITS Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment. The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - your products could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure. Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions. Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers. A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work. You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre. ABOUT US Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business. JOIN OUR TEAM Submit your application here: Please fill out the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.