Senior R&D Software Architect

<p style="text-align:left"><b>Work Schedule</b></p>Standard (Mon-Fri)<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Environmental Conditions</b></p>Office<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b><u>Job Description</u></b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p>Thermo Fisher Scientific&#39;s Ion Chromatography and Sample Preparation (ICSP) team is seeking a <b>Senior R&amp;D Software Architect</b> to provide technical leadership in the architecture of embedded software for next-generation ion chromatography laboratory instruments.</p><p></p><p><b>This role is part of a strategic NPI (New Product Introduction) initiative focused on developing a new generation platform for chromatographic instruments.</b> This is not about maintaining or incrementally improving existing solutions, but a complete redesign of a system currently built on approximately 15-year-old electronics.</p><p></p><p>The goal is to create a modern, scalable platform by leveraging new technologies to significantly improve performance, functionality, and overall system architecture. The work involves developing software for high-precision analytical instruments, combining advanced hardware, reliability, and complex system integration.</p><p></p><p>This is a <b>multi-year program</b>, offering long-term stability and the opportunity to shape architecture across multiple phases of development—from early design through to commercialization.</p><p></p><h2><span><b>What will you do?</b></span></h2><p></p><p>You will define and drive the software architecture for embedded and distributed systems, establishing a scalable, secure, and maintainable foundation for next-generation analytical instruments.</p><p></p><h3><u><span><b>Architecture Leadership &amp; Strategy</b></span></u></h3><ul><li>Lead the definition and evolution of <b>software architecture</b> across firmware, device drivers, middleware, and embedded UI/backend components</li><li>Evaluate architectural alternatives and trade-offs (performance, security, maintainability, regulatory impact) and drive decision-making across cross-functional teams</li><li>Define and enforce architectural principles, design patterns, interface contracts, and coding standards aligned with long-term platform strategy</li></ul><p></p><h3><u><span><b>System Design &amp; Integration</b></span></u></h3><ul><li>Translate system-level requirements into scalable and maintainable architectures in collaboration with Product Management, Systems Engineering, Hardware, and UI/UX teams</li><li>Ensure end-to-end system design covering data flows, interfaces, deployment models, and integration across hardware and software layers</li><li>Design for robustness and reliability, including deterministic behavior, fault tolerance, and uninterrupted instrument operation</li></ul><p></p><h3><u><span><b>Security, Compliance &amp; Quality</b></span></u></h3><ul><li>Design <b>secure-by-default systems</b>, including authentication, encrypted communication, and secure update mechanisms</li><li>Ensure alignment with regulatory and cybersecurity requirements through traceability, documentation, and design controls</li><li>Define architecture approaches that support testability, maintainability, and long-term product quality</li></ul><p></p><h3><u><span><b>Technical Leadership &amp; Collaboration</b></span></u></h3><ul><li>Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software and firmware engineers through design reviews, code reviews, and problem-solving</li><li>Partner with global R&amp;D teams to align architectural strategy across sites and products</li><li>Influence technical direction across teams without direct authority</li></ul><p></p><h3><u><span><b>DevOps &amp; Engineering Productivity</b></span></u></h3><ul><li>Collaborate with DevOps to define <b>CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, static analysis, and reproducible builds</b> for embedded systems</li><li>Leverage modern development tools, including <b>AI-assisted approaches</b>, to improve design exploration, code quality, and engineering efficiency</li></ul><p></p><h2><span><b>Qualifications &amp; Skills</b></span></h2><ul><li>Degree in Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent experience); MS preferred</li><li>Extensive experience in <b>software development with strong focus on embedded systems</b>, including architectural design and technical leadership</li><li>Proven experience designing and delivering <b>complex, multi-layered systems</b> spanning embedded and application layers</li><li>Strong expertise in <b>Embedded Linux</b>, including user space, system services, and hardware interaction</li><li>Proficiency in <b>C/C&#43;&#43; and/or modern systems programming languages</b></li><li>Solid understanding of <b>networking and communication protocols</b> (TCP/IP, REST, secure transport)</li><li>Experience designing <b>modular, scalable, and maintainable architectures</b> for resource-constrained systems</li><li>Experience with <b>secure development practices</b>, including authentication, encryption (e.g., TLS), and secure update mechanisms</li><li>Familiarity with modern <b>development practices and toolchains</b> (Git, code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD, cross-compilation environments)</li><li>Experience in <b>regulated, safety-critical, or quality-driven environments</b> (e.g., medical devices, laboratory instruments, industrial systems) preferred</li><li>Strong ability to <b>translate requirements into architecture</b> and clearly document system design (e.g., diagrams, models, interfaces)</li><li>Proven ability to <b>influence technical decisions across teams</b> without direct authority</li><li>Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders</li><li>Analytical, systems-thinking mindset with strong problem-solving skills</li><li>Interest in leveraging <b>AI-assisted development tools</b> to improve engineering productivity and quality</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>