Software Engineer

About Singular Photonics

Singular Photonics is a fast-growing fabless semiconductor start-up, developing Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) sensors that bring advanced computation directly into imaging. Our sensors enable innovations across LiDAR, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), spectroscopy and time-resolved optical measurements, powering next-generation solutions for customers worldwide. Based at Orchard Brae House in Edinburgh, we are a close-knit team at the forefront of the photonics revolution.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Software Engineer to take a leading role in developing the Software Development Kit (SDK) for our SPAD sensors and cameras. You will build the interfaces that let customers configure our hardware, stream sensor data and turn single-photon measurements into results, supporting applications from early prototyping through to production. This role includes developing, documenting, and maintaining code for key sensor operations in various client languages. You will work closely with our hardware, firmware and applications engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• SDK Development: Design, build and maintain the SDK and its client-language bindings
• Sensor Configuration: Implement functions to query and set up sensor configurations.
• Firmware Integration: Integrate and maintain communication with sensor firmware over Verilog, working alongside our firmware engineers.
• Data Management: Read, buffer and stream high-rate sensor data efficiently, keeping up with the throughput single-photon imaging generates.
• Data Processing: Develop algorithms for fluorescence lifetime, Raman spectra, diffuse correlation spectroscopy and time-of-flight data
• Visualisation & Signal Processing: Create tools for visualising sensor output and multi-dimensional data.
• API Integration: Expand SDK capabilities with partner APIs.
• Cross-Platform Development: Ensure compatibility across Windows and Linux.
• Cloud Integration: Enable cloud-based data processing and management.
• Quality, Testing & Documentation: Write the tests, documentation and release notes that go with production software, and help shape our development and release process as the team grows.

Experience & Skills

• A minimum of three years’ experience designing and maintaining production software, including ownership of code through to release.
• Strong programming skills in [C++ or a comparable systems language], and comfortable moving between application-level and lower-level code.
• Experience working with hardware or sensor interfaces, and methodical debugging across the hardware and software boundary.
• Experience with Git and a collaborative development workflow including code review.
• Clear technical writing - you will be documenting an API that customers depend on.
• Comfortable in a small company where priorities shift and everyone pitches in.
• Experience building or maintaining an SDK, library or public API used by third parties.
• Experience with single-photon detection, TCSPC, LiDAR or time-of-flight systems desirable
• Signal processing, or algorithm work on high-rate or multi-dimensional data.
• Python binding frameworks
• GPU or parallel processing experience.

Educational Background

• HNC/HND or undergraduate degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Key Attributes & Behaviours

• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, execution-focused mindset.
• Pragmatic judgement about when code is good enough to ship, and when it is not.
• Methodical debugger, comfortable when the problem could be in the software, the firmware or the hardware.
• Works well with all stakeholders who are not software specialists.
• Takes ownership end to end, from first design discussion to supporting a user
• Resilient and adaptable, and committed to high standards.

Benefits of Joining Singular Photonics

At Singular Photonics, we are committed to fostering a rewarding and supportive environment for our team. As a Software Engineer, you will benefit from:

• Pension: 5% company contribution.
• Share Options: Participation in the Company EMI Share Option Scheme, so you share in the growth you help build.
• Enhanced Annual Leave: 35 days paid annual leave per year, inclusive of UK public holidays.
• Hybrid Working: Primarily office-based, with flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week (full time worker).
• Career Growth: The opportunity to shape software development processes as the company scales.
• International Exposure: Work on technology with a growing international customer and partner base.

Why Join Us

This position offers a rare opportunity to own the software that customers use to get results from SPAD sensor technology. You will be a key member of a small, ambitious team, building something from the ground up and seeing the direct impact of your work as the company scales.

Location & Work Environment

Based at Orchard Brae House, Queensferry Road, Edinburgh. This is a full-time, permanent role, primarily office-based, with flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. Right to work in the UK is essential. We are unfortunately unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

Singular Photonics is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and make appointments on merit, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you need any adjustments to the application or interview process, please let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate you.

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