About this role
Location of Job: Nottingham, NG7 (onsite)
Instrument Software Development Engineer
We are looking for a software engineer, with experience of developing production-grade software in Python, to join our growing team in Nottingham. In this role, you will assist in the development of new Python-controlled, precision metrology equipment.
The Role
At Ossila, our engineers and scientists design and build scientific equipment used in fields related to photovoltaics, batteries, organic displays, materials science, and more. Our goal is to enable science across the whole community by making high-performance equipment affordable and accessible. As part of that goal, the Nottingham team is tasked with the design and manufacture of a new range of metrology-based equipment including profilometers, ellipsometers, and nanoparticle sizing instruments.
You will join a team already in the process of developing a suite of metrology equipment, contributing to the projects by:
Using modern, Python-based systems to develop everything from low-level sensor interfaces and process control algorithms through to user-friendly graphical interfaces. Developing clean Python code for complete instrument control and data analysis. Applying your expert coding skills and detailed understanding of components and control systems to maximise performance. Carefully maintaining software design and code quality, enabling easier software updates and feature upgrades as the range becomes established. Working effectively within a small team to produce high-performance equipment that overcome common research and workflow obstacles. Helping to grow an international business by producing high-quality software that represents the quality of the Ossila brand.
About You
You have a laboratory based, PhD-level qualification in physics, electronics, control systems, a related subject, or equivalent professional experience. We welcome candidates with relevant industry, research, or equivalent practical experience. You are confident with the development of Python-based GUIs and their application to instrument control and data analysis. You are comfortable with the use of Git-based distributed version control software systems. You can collaborate with other product design disciplines, such as mechanical, production, and procurement to ensure clean and successful handover of projects into production. You work to develop clean, high-quality design and architecture, with an understanding of the importance of testing, documentation and a standardised, modular, maintainable style for Python-based code. You can demonstrate experience of planning software or engineering projects, managing priorities, and delivering agreed outcomes.
Your skills and experience may also include:
Understanding of how AI and agentic systems can be used to optimise the performance of GUIs to enable smooth operation of scientific instrumentation and prevent latency.
About Us
Ossila is a small but high-growth business which manufactures and supplies scientific equipment, materials, and laboratory supplies to institutions around the world. Our aim is to help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery. To do this, we are looking to continue our expansion with a view to building a world-class company of significant size and stature over the next five years. Formed by academics from the University of Sheffield, we now employ over 50 people across our offices in the UK and the Netherlands.
How to Apply
Full details of the candidate specification and further info about the job, the company and how to apply can be found on the Ossila website via the above 'Apply' button.
No agencies please.