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Salary: USD 204,000 - 270,000 / annual
Lila Sciences is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to architect and lead the development of next-generation laboratory automation platforms. You will design simulation infrastructure and integration layers that connect AI-driven experimental design with physical robotic systems, enabling closed-loop scientific discovery at scale.
Key responsibilities include:
- Architect high-fidelity simulation environments modeling complex laboratory instrumentation, fluidics, and robotic workflows
- Design robust integration patterns between heterogeneous hardware systems, ensuring reliable and safe execution of fully automated experiments
- Lead development of APIs and interfaces enabling scientists and AI agents to interact seamlessly with sophisticated automation infrastructure
- Establish best practices for hardware-software integration, system monitoring, and CI/CD in laboratory automation contexts
- Mentor engineers and lead a small agile team
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years software development experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role
- Proven experience architecting and directing large-scale software projects
- Strong proficiency in C++, Python, or Java
- Track record implementing engineering best practices (code reviews, testing, continuous integration)
- Experience leading diverse engineering teams with focus on collaboration and innovation
- Strategic thinking skills aligned with organizational goals
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineering talent
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Bonus experience includes Ph.D. in relevant field, laboratory automation or scientific instrumentation background, organizational change management, agile project delivery, and published work in software engineering or simulation systems.
Lila Sciences builds Scientific Superintelligence to solve major challenges by combining advanced AI models with proprietary instruments into an operating system for science that executes the scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery across medicine, materials, and energy.
