Scientific SW Engineer I - Precision Optics

Location: Rochester, New York

Reports to: Software Engineering Manager

Job Grade: 10

Travel: Less than 10%, including domestic and international travel as business needs require

Work arrangement: On-site, with limited remote work permitted for certain tasks at the discretion of the manager

Compensation: The target hiring range is generally $76,529–$96,493, depending on relevant experience, demonstrated technical capability, skills, education, internal equity, and business needs. This role is eligible for QED's annual performance-based incentive program with a target opportunity of 10% of base salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package and 401(k) program.

About QED Technologies

At QED Technologies, we are building what's next.

For 30 years, QED has helped customers solve complex challenges in precision optics through advanced fabrication and metrology technologies. Our proprietary solutions support applications across aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, space and astronomy, research, fusion, and other advanced industries.

Our work depends on talented people who bring curiosity, precision, collaboration, and ownership to difficult problems. We are building a high-performing culture where people are trusted to make an impact, teams work across boundaries, and continuous improvement is part of how we operate.

The opportunity

The Scientific Software Engineer I — Precision Optics is an early-career, multidisciplinary role focused on developing advanced software for QED's precision-optics manufacturing and metrology systems. This individual contributor brings a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, optics, or engineering, along with the ability to collaborate closely with experienced engineers and scientists on software that interfaces with complex physical systems, optical instrumentation, and precision-motion hardware.

Working under the guidance of senior engineers within a cross-functional engineering organization, this role contributes to software-development efforts from requirements through design, implementation, testing, and support. The Scientific Software Engineer I partners with software, hardware, systems, and applications stakeholders to build solid, well-tested software that supports customers in manufacturing and measuring advanced optical components.

This role offers the opportunity to apply analytical and scientific problem-solving skills, build technical depth in high-precision optical technologies, and contribute to meaningful engineering challenges from day one. Success requires strong fundamentals, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to learning and delivering in a complex technical environment.

What you will do

Software design and development

• Analyze software requirements under the guidance of senior engineers to determine feasible design approaches within time and cost constraints.
• Contribute to software designs by implementing components that follow established architecture and design patterns.
• Code, debug, and test software features that support QED's precision-optics manufacturing, metrology, data-analysis, instrumentation, and motion-control capabilities.
• Write clean, readable, well-structured, and testable code consistent with established development standards.
• Document code and development work to support maintainability and future enhancements.
• Support estimation of assigned tasks and communicate progress toward development milestones.

Scientific, algorithmic, and systems engineering

• Modify or develop algorithms related to optical metrology, precision-optics manufacturing, and optical data analysis under senior engineer guidance.
• Apply engineering reasoning and quantitative thinking to design software that behaves predictably and meets requirements.
• Use knowledge of probability, statistics, linear algebra, signal processing, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus to support technical problem-solving.
• Consult with hardware engineers and other technical staff to help evaluate interfaces between software, instrumentation, motion hardware, and the broader system.
• Assist in investigating software and system issues and support root-cause analysis.

Quality, testing, and engineering practices

• Assist in developing and executing software test procedures and associated documentation.
• Collaborate with team members to follow and continuously improve software-engineering best practices, including version control, peer review, and documentation.
• Participate in identifying and documenting risks related to quality, cost, or schedule.
• Participate in code reviews and project reviews, incorporating feedback to strengthen technical skills.

Cross-functional and customer partnership

• Collaborate with software, hardware, systems, and applications stakeholders to align solutions with product and customer needs.
• Communicate technical progress, findings, and questions clearly to team members and project leads.
• Provide support for customers or field engineers regarding software issues as directed.
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and responsibility of the role.

What success looks like

• Software features are implemented, tested, documented, and delivered with growing independence and increasing attention to quality and maintainability.
• Algorithmic and software contributions support accurate, repeatable precision-optics manufacturing, metrology, and data-analysis outcomes.
• Technical questions and issues are raised proactively, investigated thoughtfully, and escalated appropriately.
• Assigned work is estimated, tracked, and delivered with clear, timely communication of progress and roadblocks.
• Coding practices, testing habits, and technical documentation continue to strengthen through feedback and mentorship.
• The engineer is recognized as a curious, dependable, and collaborative contributor who is building toward greater technical ownership.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from four-year college or university with a major in:
  • Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Software Engineering, with significant coursework or experience in math, physics, optics or engineering. 
  • OR 
  • Physics, Optics, Imaging Science, or other Engineering discipline, with significant software development coursework or experience
• 0 - 3 years of relevant software development experience, including professional work, internships, co‑ops, or substantial project‑based work.
• A master’s degree (M.S.) is beneficial but not mandatory.
• 0–3 years of relevant software-development experience, including professional work, internships, co-ops, or substantial project-based work. A master's degree is beneficial but not required.
• Strong object-oriented programming, software-debugging, and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong foundation in math, physics, and engineering, including the ability to work with probability, statistical inference, linear algebra, signal processing, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
• Proven ability to write clean, testable, readable code in a team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated curiosity, attention to detail, and collaborative working style.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with C# and .NET software development.
• Experience with Git and common source-control workflows.
• UI/UX design and implementation experience.
• Optics knowledge or coursework.
• Experience with CNC systems or other machine controls.
• Robotics or automation experience.
• Automated software-testing experience.

Physical requirements

This role primarily involves sedentary work in an office and technical environment. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, feel, or operate equipment; reach with hands and arms; and communicate effectively. The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, and lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

QED Technologies provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

QED Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

At this time, QED Technologies is not able to hire individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States or who will require visa sponsorship now or in the future.

QED Technologies provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. If you require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.

Export-Control Notice

Certain positions at QED Technologies may involve access to information, technology, software, or products controlled under U.S. export-control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations. Where applicable, QED may need to determine whether an export license or other authorization is required for a candidate to access controlled information.