About Pendar Technologies
Pendar Technologies develops advanced chemical analysis solutions for mission-critical applications in public safety, defense, and industrial settings. Our technology transforms raw spectroscopic data into accurate and actionable chemical identification results.
The Role
We are seeking a Software Engineer who is comfortable interfacing with hardware (such as our Pendar X10 chemical identification system, and upcoming new platforms) to develop desktop applications for our end users. As part of a small team, our software engineers have the opportunity to do a little of everything. On the backend, we expect scalable, multithreaded, and tested code, and comfort dealing with stepper motors, cameras, and Pendar's custom optical engine. On the front end, we expect a symbiotic relationship with the product team to create an easy-to-use and beautiful UI, with the software engineer being fully responsible for the implementation. Since having hardware on your desk as you write and test new code speeds up development, this role is expected to be majority on-site, with flexibility for remote days. This role is technically challenging and highly impactful within our organization. Successful candidates will contribute to the launch of new products and continuously improve the feature set based on feedback from customers. This is a great opportunity to learn the software development cycle during the early stages of product launch.
Your Responsibilities
- Develop python-based, Qt applications for end-users to interface with Pendar hardware.
- Write well-structured, maintainable, multithreaded Python code within a shared, version-controlled codebase.
- When something malfunctions, take initiative to debug, considering both hardware and software causes.
- Actively seek out areas of code for performance optimization.
- Understand the impact of the desktop hardware (e.g. RAM, processor speed, GPU model, USB port type) and OS quirks (e.g. Windows energy-saver mode) on the software performance.
- Constantly write tests, both on simulated hardware and real hardware.
- Stay up-to-date with new software frameworks and packages, and have a willingness to try new things. If it works, spread the knowledge to the team!
- Collaborate closely with scientists, electrical engineers, product managers, and customers to develop a deep understanding of the product, which is essential to writing good code.
- Engage in technical discussions and contribute to design and implementation reviews.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Excellence in object-oriented programming, with fluency in Python.
- Demonstrated experience of writing code for hardware (motors, cameras, lasers).
- Software development best practices, including version control and test-driven development.
- Ability to work independently on complex problems while contributing effectively to a team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience writing multithreaded, multi-process code in Python
- Experience with Qt framework
- Experience with C++ (allows you to contribute to Pendar X10)
Who Will Succeed in This Role
This role is suited for individuals who are methodical, disciplined, and driven by technical challenges. The ideal candidate is pragmatic rather than dogmatic in their approach to problem-solving, engages constructively in technical debates, and values collaboration over individual recognition. We value individuals who are reliable, adaptable, and committed to producing high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
Why Join Us?
- Impact – Your work will directly contribute to the development of technology used in public safety and defense.
- Technical Challenge – create an intuitive application that solves complex problems in hardware control and performance optimization while simplifying user interface.
- Collaboration – Work closely with experts across multiple disciplines in a flat, team-oriented environment.
- Rewarding Work – We recognize and value contributions that drive results.
Location and Additional Information
- Full-time position with competitive benefits.
- Cambridge, MA. Accessible by public transit (74 or 78 bus from Harvard square, or 20 min walk from Alewife T Station).
- Onsite work expected, with flexibility for occasional remote days.
- On-site parking available.
