Senior Software Engineer

About the role

HRL Laboratories pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers - ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL's rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other - often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

This Senior Software Engineer role centers on developing and maintaining the software stack that powers HRL's quantum information technology initiatives. You will own the implementation of experiment control workflows that translate scientific objectives into executable procedures. The position requires close collaboration with domain experts to ensure software capabilities align with evolving research needs. You will architect solutions that manage the complexity of quantum device characterization and calibration. Your work will directly influence the direction and pace of device roadmap advancement. You will mentor emerging engineers to elevate the overall standard of engineering practice. Finally, you will contribute to the design of data organization strategies that support scientific discovery and reproducibility.

The position is located in Malibu, California, and is a Regular/Full Time engagement. Compensation for this role ranges from $140,700 to $175,950, determined by role, level, and location, specifically California. U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance are mandatory for this role.

What you'll do

• Architect and implement software for the execution of complex sequences of experiments, measurements, and calibrations across quantum test platforms.
• Design and develop robust device drivers for custom hardware and scientific instruments that interface with quantum test setups.
• Partner with experimental physicists to translate scientific requirements into software designs that enable all necessary laboratory capabilities.
• Collaborate with data engineers to define scalable architectures for organizing, storing, and querying quantum device data throughout its lifecycle.
• Implement solutions that ensure the integrity, traceability, and usability of experimental data in support of downstream analysis.
• Mentor junior engineers on best practices for programming, version control, CI/CD pipelines, and technical documentation.
• Optimize software components for performance and reliability in environments that require precise timing and deterministic execution.
• Integrate software with scientific test instrumentation and communication protocols such as VISA and TCP/IP to support automated test sequences.
• Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from requirements analysis and design through implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes and tooling to increase team efficiency and software quality.
• Support the deployment of software into operational environments used by scientists and engineers on a daily basis.
• Troubleshoot complex software issues that arise during experimentation and provide timely resolutions to unblock research activities.
• Document software architectures, interfaces, and procedures to ensure knowledge transfer and long-term maintainability.
• Engage with the broader HRL community to identify opportunities for reusable software components and cross-project collaboration.

Requirements

• Possess 5+ years of relevant software engineering experience in roles that involved developing complex systems or test software.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Python for writing maintainable and testable code used in scientific and engineering contexts.
• Show familiarity with C++ for reading, modifying, and contributing to existing codebases that interact with hardware or performance-critical components.
• Bring experience with one or more relational database systems for designing schemas, writing queries, and ensuring data consistency.
• Exhibit a solid understanding of core computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and computer architectures.
• Have familiarity with scientific test instrumentation such as waveform generators and oscilloscopes and communication protocols like VISA and TCP/IP.
• Maintain U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance as required for the role.
• Thrive in an environment where adherence to rigorous engineering standards is essential for safety and performance.
• Work effectively within a team that values precision, documentation, and methodical problem-solving approaches.

Nice to have

Only items indicated as preferred in the SOURCE are listed here.

Practical notes

This is a Regular/Full Time position based in Malibu, California. The compensation range specified applies to this location. U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain a US Government Security Clearance are mandatory for this role.