Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Pay Range: $200k - $215k

About Us We are a venture-backed, stealth-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, focused on developing novel technologies that will redefine how disease is detected, characterized, and managed with a novel approach to clinical genomics. Our mission is to fundamentally transform healthcare through a convergence of innovation across multiple scientific disciplines.

Founded by industry veterans with decades of experience in life sciences tools and diagnostics, our leadership team brings a proven track record of translating scientific insight into successful commercial products. Our investors include some of the most respected names in healthcare and deep tech.

Position Overview We are looking for a Senior Staff Middleware & Orchestration Engineer to design and implement the orchestration layers that coordinate this system reliably and deterministically. This role overlaps low-level embedded control and high-level application software. You will own middleware responsible for system orchestration, workflow management, and EtherCAT-based real-time coordination, enabling higher-level teams to build features without needing to understand the full complexity of the underlying hardware. This is a deeply technical, hands-on role that combines real-time distributed systems, fieldbus technology, and software architecture. You will work closely with embedded firmware, controls, robotics, and systems engineers.

Key Responsibilities Orchestration & Middleware Architecture

• Design and implement orchestration middleware for a complex distributed embedded

system

• Develop high-level scheduling, workflow management, and coordination layers
• Define clear abstractions that bridge real-time embedded systems and higher-level

application logic

• Ensure deterministic behavior, synchronization, and fault handling across many nodes
• Architect middleware that scales as system size and complexity grow

EtherCAT Master & Bus Management

• Own EtherCAT master integration and development

• Bring up, configure, and manage EtherCAT chains in real hardware

• Implement and maintain EtherCAT stack components, including:

• Device discovery and configuration

• Hot-connect/hot-group management

System Bring-Up & Debugging

• Lead EtherCAT chain bring-up from first connection through stable operation
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving distributed clocks, topology, and bus errors
• Develop tooling and diagnostics for EtherCAT visibility and debugging
• Collaborate closely with firmware and hardware engineers during integration

State Machines & System Control

• Design and implement robust state machines for complex systems
• Coordinate transitions across multiple distributes subsystems
• Handle error states, recovery paths, and partial system availability
• Apply best practices from robotics, automation, and medical Platforms

APIs & Cross-functional Enablement

• Develop Python APIs that expose orchestration in a usable, intuitive way
• Implement performance-critical middleware layers in C/C++, with Python bindings

where appropriate

• Enable application, test and automation teams to interact with the system safely and

effectively

• Balance usability, performance, and determination in API design

Qualifications Education:  BS/MS in Computer Science or Engineering

Required : Experience & Technical Skills

• 7+ years of experience in middleware, embedded systems, robotics, or distributed control software
• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT master and EtherCAT stack development or other

similar fieldbus technologies (required)

• Proven experience bringing up and managing EtherCAT networks or similar fieldbus

networks on real hardware

• Strong experience designing orchestration or coordination layers for distributed systems
• Expertise in C/C++ and Python

Real-Time & Distributed Knowledge

• Deep understanding of real-time constraints and synchronized systems
• Experience with distributed clocks, deterministic scheduling, and bus timing
• Strong background in designing and implementing complex state machines
• Familiarity with robotics, industrial automation, or medical device platforms

Debugging & Integration Skills

• Comfortable debugging across software, firmware, and physical bus layers
• Ability to reason from logs, bus traces, and hardware behavior
• Experience working cross-functionally with firmware, hardware, and application teams

Preferred :

• Experience with ROS, ROS2, or similar robotics frameworks
• Familiarity with safety-critical or regulated systems
• Experience building simulation or test frameworks for distributed systems
• Background in controls or motion systems

Why Join Us

• Work in a dynamic, collaborative environment where innovation and scientific rigor are

deeply valued.

• Join a seasoned and multidisciplinary team tackling high-impact problems at the

intersection of science and engineering.

• Competitive compensation and equity package, comprehensive benefits, and flexibility to support work-life integration.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.