Software Development Engineer

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Are you...
Searching for a meaningful career in SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERing?
Wanting to work with a world-class team of scientists and engineers passionate about tackling our world's complex and intricate climate problems?
If so, then see yourself at APL within the Ocean Physics Department.
Job Description
We are seeking a Software Development Engineer to join the Oceanic Motional Induction Laboratory within the Ocean Physics Department. The position will be responsible for SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT for custom oceanographic sensors and instruments from initial design to final field deployment, with an initial focus on electrode-equipped vertical profiling floats. The position will develop firmware and software solutions through collaboration with the principal investigator (PI) to meet the specifications, required capabilities, and use cases. Eventually, the position will solve research problems entirely independently and will tackle advances on their own initiative.
Your Impact...
• Join a team of engineers and scientists who design, build, and use novel oceanographic sensors, instruments, and robots that measure the ocean and its electromagnetic field.
• Work on research sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and other federal, defense, and private funding agencies.
• Collaborate with a team of engineers and scientists to extend the sampling capabilities and adaptive sampling of a vertically profiling oceanic float, including thorough testing in the lab and at sea.
• Contribute software and control expertise to propose, develop, build, and deploy unique new vehicles and sensors that sample the ocean in novel ways
Diversity is a core value at the Applied Physics Laboratory - University of Washington. We are focused on building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable research environment for all students, staff, and collaborators. We believe every member of our team enriches our discovery exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions. See yourself at APL - because here is where you belong.
As a Software Development Engineer, you will...
• Perform all phases of the SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT lifecycle, including design, development, testing/debugging, operation, data engineering, and documentation. This includes software architecture design, embedded programming, and associated server-side functionality.
• Contribute to the team's efforts to identify and fund new research projects, and propose and develop your own ideas
• Develop new engineering methods/approaches and technical standards and serve as a key leader in extending technical capabilities.
• Collaborate directly with mechanical, electrical, and field engineers, as well as with scientists, students, and postdocs
• Lead, coach, or mentor both junior staff members and students on assigned projects.
At the Oceanic Motional Induction Lab, you will ...
Join a team of scientists and engineers who devise ways to collect ground-breaking measurements of water velocity through electromagnetic sampling, to answer scientific questions previously impossible to address. Not only do we design and build instruments with great precision (micro-volt accuracy) and reliability (fully autonomous), but we must also ensure they will function with high reliability under the hostile conditions experienced in the ocean. As the role of testing is critical for our success, you should be comfortable finding the root cause of complex problems arising from the interplay of software with electronics, mechanical systems, and the oceanic environment. On the highest level, developing and implementing sophisticated but reliable control modes and electromagnetic sampling is what enables our research portfolio.
Qualifications
You meet our qualifications for the job if you have...
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field, and a minimum of 3-4 years of related job experience.
• At least 3 years of experience with the following: Complex software design, development, and testing; Basic programming proficiency in C; Contributing software expertise to requests for funding.
• Excellent and creative/novel problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Physical capability and willingness to work at sea on small to large vessels for extended periods of time (days to weeks).
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a collaborative research team, interacting effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse disciplines, backgrounds, academic levels, and nationalities.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Condition of Employment: US Citizen
While not required, you'll stand out if you have prior experience working with...
• Oceanographic sensors and instrumentation.
• Robotics, UUVs, or AUVs, including surface or subsurface vehicles.
• Firmware that controls autonomous systems.
• Software and hardware testing of control software in the lab.
• Python and Java programming languages; Linux operating system.
• Developing data management protocols, for initial processing and quality control.
• Identifying, contributing to, and/or leading external requests for funding.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense clearance.
Be Boundless!
Be Boundless at the University of Washington as a UW employee! With an all-encompassing compensation and benefits package and limitless professional growth opportunities, you can build a fulfilling and impactful career while enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
See Yourself at APL!
See Yourself at APL! Take advantage of those opportunities and more at the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington. As an APL-UW employee, you not only get to enjoy the opportunities and benefits of UW, but also be a member of a team of world-renowned researchers, scientists, and engineers dedicated to bettering our campuses, state, country, and world by solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies.
About Us
The Applied Physics Laboratory is a research unit at the University of Washington. Our research expertise is in ocean physics and engineering, ocean and medical acoustics, polar science, environmental remote sensing, and signal processing. We conduct research and development that is sponsored by a variety of federal and state agencies and take great pride in our long-standing status as a US Navy-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Our work takes place not only on the University of Washington campus and medical centers, but in field locations around the world - at sea, in the air, and on polar ice caps. We apply rigorous scientific inquiry and engineering excellence in pursuit of solutions to important problems for the good of our region, nation, and world.
Are you ready to apply?
Application Instructions: Select the "Apply for this job" button at the bottom of the page. Be prepared to provide a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae (CV). For more information on the application process, visit https://seeyourselfapl.uw.edu/common-questions/.
Application Process:The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.