SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 112,200 - 159,600 / annual
Ginkgo Bioworks is seeking a Software Engineer III to join the Automation Systems Team and work on Catalyst, the software stack powering their robotic lab systems. You will design, develop, integrate, and support software drivers for cutting-edge autonomous laboratory equipment.
The role is split across three main areas:
**Driver Development & Implementation (70%):** Design and implement robust, high-performance software drivers in Python and/or C#/.NET for diverse lab automation hardware including robotic arms, liquid handlers, and plate readers. You'll work with low-level hardware communication protocols (RS-232, USB, TCP/IP), develop drivers with a focus on reliability, contribute to device abstraction layer design, and work with agentic software.
**Integration & Validation (20%):** Perform extensive testing with the Catalyst stack, collaborate with scientists and QA teams on functional testing, develop and maintain automated unit and integration tests, design hardware simulation environments for comprehensive driver testing, and ensure drivers include comprehensive error handling, logging, and fault-tolerance mechanisms.
**Field Support & Diagnostics (10%):** Act as a Tier 2 technical resource providing rapid diagnosis and resolution to software and communication errors at customer laboratory sites. Use remote diagnostic tools, system logs, and protocol analyzers to troubleshoot complex issues, develop and document workarounds and permanent solutions, and proactively observe driver usage to propose improvements.
The ideal candidate has a solid background in programming reliable physical or real-time systems, excels at cross-functional collaboration, and can ensure drivers meet the exacting standards of the scientific community while providing rapid response to customer issues. Occasional travel to Boston, MA and customer sites is required.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- 2–4 years of professional software development experience with focus on hardware integration, embedded systems, or driver development
- Extensive experience with Python
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Familiarity with laboratory automation, robotics, or scientific instrumentation (highly beneficial)
**Preferred Capabilities:**
- Experience in fast-moving, deep-tech companies
- Understanding of laboratory automation and lab automation user personas
- Strong understanding of Operating System fundamentals (threading, synchronization, memory management) and real-time constraints
- Excellent communication and ability to translate complex technical issues for non-software stakeholders
- Proficiency with Git and experience with agile methodologies and CI/CD pipelines
- Advanced debugging skills including protocol sniffers, logic analyzers, and remote debugging tools
- Experience with Windows, C#, COM
- Experience with OPC-UA, SiLA2
- Background in life science or chemistry laboratory
