Principal Software Engineer – Scientific Instrumentation Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire Work pattern: Predominantly site-based, with some hybrid flexibility for the right individual Sector: Scientific Instrumentation / Analytical Technology / R&D EngineeringBuild the software behind advanced scientific instrumentsWe are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to lead the technical direction of software development for next-generation scientific instrumentation.This is not a generic enterprise software role. We are specifically looking for a senior engineer with deep experience in software that interacts with real-world hardware, ideally within scientific instruments, complex electromechanical systems, industrial automation, sensing, imaging, or other high-precision technology environments.You will play a key role in shaping products where software, firmware, electronics, physics, and instrument performance all come together. That means translating physical principles and user needs into robust architecture, embedded control, algorithms, and production-ready applications.This role is particularly well suited to someone who has grown up in a scientific, instrumentation, controls, or physics-led engineering environment and is comfortable leading multidisciplinary technical teams.What you will doLead the software technical strategy for advanced scientific and analytical instrumentationDefine architecture across the stack, from embedded/firmware in C/C++ through to application software in C#/.NETWork closely with electronics and hardware engineers on board bring-up, integration, debugging, and system optimisationDevelop software and algorithms that interpret sensor signals and instrument behaviour using physics-based thinking, signal processing, and control principlesTranslate high-level product requirements into technical specifications, architecture, and implementation plansProvide technical leadership and mentoring across Software, Firmware, and Electronics teamsSupport manufacturing and product development teams with robust, production-ready technical solutionsDrive software engineering best practice, including development standards, Agile ways of working, and CI/CD disciplineContribute to next-generation product development in areas such as thermal analysis, materials characterisation, and scientific measurement systemsWhat we are looking forThis role is aimed at candidates who combine principal-level software engineering capability with genuine experience in hardware-connected, physics-led product development.Essential background6+ years’ commercial software engineering experience in complex product development environmentsStrong expertise in C# / .NETStrong experience in C/C++ for embedded systems, firmware, or hardware-near softwareProven experience leading or mentoring engineers across software and related disciplinesExperience developing software for scientific instruments, industrial automation, medical devices, sensing systems, electromechanical products, or other hardware-integrated technologyStrong understanding of hardware/software integration and communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, USB, and EthernetAble to work from schematics, technical datasheets, and real hardware during integration and debuggingExperience defining engineering standards, improving development process, and supporting high-quality product deliveryEssential academic/profile fitDegree in Physics, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related discipline with a strong physics componentWe are especially interested in candidates who understand the physical behaviour of systems, not just software patternsThis role is not a fit for a purely generalist software background without relevant scientific, instrumentation, controls, or hardware-facing experienceDesirableExperience leading a multidisciplinary teamSignal processing experience, including FFT, filtering, or image/data interpretationMATLAB or Python for modelling or algorithm prototypingExposure to connected instruments, IoT, or cloud integrationsExperience with cross-platform/mobile engineering such as Xamarin or MAUIWho this role will suitYou are likely to be a strong fit if you have worked as a:Principal Software Engineer or Lead Software Engineer in scientific instrumentationSenior/Principal Embedded or Controls Software Engineer in a hardware product businessTechnical Lead in analytical devices, imaging systems, automation, sensing, or laboratory equipmentPhysicist or engineer who moved into software and now leads complex multidisciplinary developmentYou are less likely to be a fit if your experience is mainly in:Pure web/application developmentSaaS platforms with no hardware interactionData science without instrument/control-system understandingGeneral software roles without scientific or engineering product exposureLocation and working patternThis role is based in High Wycombe and is best suited to candidates who can be regularly on site to work closely with hardware, electronics, and R&D teams. Some hybrid flexibility may be possible for the right individual, but this is fundamentally a role for someone who is comfortable being hands-on in an engineering environment.Why joinThis is an opportunity to shape high-value R&D products where software has a direct impact on instrument performance, scientific outcomes, and future product innovation. You will have real technical influence, broad scope across software and firmware, and the chance to work on genuinely complex engineering challenges in a multidisciplinary environment.