Software Engineer I, Instrument Software

Lila Sciences is hiring a Software Engineer to develop the next generation of Lab Instrument Integration Software, a foundational component of our AI-enabled laboratory. We are looking for self-motivated problem solvers who enjoy working at the interfaces between software, science, and hardware to deliver powerful solutions that accelerate scientific discovery.

About the role

• Lab Instrument Software Development: Develop robust software to enable communication between robotics and automation hardware (e.g., robotic arms, liquid handlers, sensors) and control software, ensuring reliable and efficient hardware integration.
• System Integration: Seamlessly integrate lab instruments into our next-generation, AI-enabled lab automation infrastructure, managing complex interfaces between cloud and edge infrastructure, and device execution.
• Testing and Debugging: Perform rigorous testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of drivers to identify, isolate, and rectify performance issues, bugs, and compatibility challenges.
• Technical Documentation: Create, update, and maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for driver interfaces, APIs, and integration methods, facilitating ease of use by internal teams and end-users.
• Collaboration and Support: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, software developers, product managers, and end-users, providing technical support and resolving integration challenges promptly.
• AI-driven Development: Work with state-of-the-art coding models and development infrastructure to improve the speed and quality of software delivery.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Python, C#/.NET, or other programming languages or frameworks is essential.
• Demonstrated ability in debugging and problem-solving, preferably with hardware-software integration issues.
• Strong analytical thinking and a structured approach to troubleshooting and resolving complex technical problems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• A strong interest in or background in science.
• Experience in developing software for laboratory automation systems or robotics used in life sciences, pharmaceutical, or similar industries.
• Experience working directly with end-users (e.g., scientists, laboratory technicians), using feedback to drive product improvements.
• Experience with hardware integration and device driver development, especially in robotics or automation contexts.
• Proficiency with version control systems, especially Git.

Benefits

• U.S. Benefits: Full-time U.S. employees receive medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company-wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office-based employees; and a company-subsidized lunch program.
• International Benefits: Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region.

Pay

Expected base salary range: $108,000 USD - $140,000 USD (applies only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market). We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity.

About LILA

Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves. LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy.

Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.