Principal Software Engineer

  • PerkinElmer
  • High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
  • 30/05/2026
Full time Information Technology Telecommunications Python

Job Description

Responsibilities
  • Technical Leadership: Lead the architecture and design of software systems across the full stack-from embedded firmware (C/C++) controlling hardware to high level application software (C#/.NET).
  • Team Leadership: Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to a team comprising Software, Firmware, and Electronics Engineers.
  • Physics Based Development: Apply a strong understanding of physics to develop algorithms that turn raw sensor data into actionable scientific insight, including signal processing, instrument control loops, and physical modeling.
  • System Integration: Work closely with hardware engineers to bring up new boards, debug complex opto electronic systems, and ensure seamless integration between hardware and software.
  • Innovation: Propose technology concepts involved in next generation product development, specifically focusing on thermal analysis and materials characterization.
  • Collaboration: Responsible for low level software coding and algorithms, manufacturing support, and collaboration with cross functional teams for high level application coding.
Qualifications
  • Education: Honors degree in Physics, Mathematics, or Engineering with a strong Physics component (a pure Computer Science degree without a strong scientific/physics background is not acceptable).
  • Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of commercial software experience with a proven track record in comprehensive system development.
  • Tech Stack: Expert level proficiency in C# /.NET and strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems/firmware.
  • Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring multi disciplinary technical teams (Software and Firmware/Electronics).
  • Domain Knowledge: Experience in scientific instrumentation, industrial automation, or a similar high technology environment where software interacts physically with hardware.
  • Hardware Interface: Deep understanding of communication protocols (I2C, SPI, USB, Ethernet) and the ability to read schematics/datasheets for firmware development and hardware debugging.
  • Strategy & Process: Define software development standards, drive Agile/Scrum processes, and implement CI/CD pipelines to ensure operational excellence and product quality.
  • Desirable: Experience running a multi discipline team; signal processing (FFT, digital filtering) and image processing; MATLAB or Python for algorithm prototyping; mobile cross platform tools (Xamarin/MAUI) or cloud connectivity (Azure/AWS) for IoT enabled instruments; AI Champion.
  • Preferred Characteristics: Strong leader who inspires confidence and drives technical decisions; physicist mindset with first principles thinking; analytical and data driven; ability to see both the small and the big picture; organizational and problem solving aptitude; adaptability.