Staff Engineer, Electrical

Pacific Biosciences Of California - Menlo Park, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Menlo Park, CA

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

Pacific Biosciences is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer specializing in instrument control electronics to lead the design, development, and maintenance of embedded software for genomic sequencing platforms. This role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance and integration of instruments, contributing to advancements in genomic sequencing technology.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain high-quality embedded software for PCBAs.
• Lead the full embedded software development lifecycle from requirements analysis to design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Collaborate with hardware and software engineers to define interfaces and integrate software components with instrument hardware.
• Troubleshoot and debug complex issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact on instrument functionality.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and participate in code reviews to maintain code quality and promote knowledge sharing.
• Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies relevant to embedded software technologies.

Requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 7-10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or a minimum of 5-8 years with a Master's degree; or a minimum of 3-7 years with a PhD.
• A degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Deep understanding of embedded systems and efficient use of limited resources on MCUs.
• Experience with MCU peripherals such as UART, USB, CAN, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, ADC, DAC, TIMER, etc.
• Familiarity with writing device drivers for communications ICs and ASICs.
• Knowledge of ArmV7M architecture and familiarity with ARM Cortex-M3 and M4 MCUs.
• Understanding of electrical circuits and ability to read schematics.
• Familiarity with JTAG and other debugging tools.
• Experience developing bootloaders for live firmware updates.
• Proficient in C/C++ and with interrupt handling and DMA operation.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills with a systematic approach to issue resolution.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with real-time systems, embedded software development, or device drivers.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies and CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with Windows application development.
• Experience with instrument control development.
• Experience with Python programming language and familiarity with Linux operating systems.
• Previous experience in a regulated industry such as biotechnology or healthcare.