Senior Software Engineer - Full-stack

Software Engineering Long Island City, New York


Description

Position at Opentrons

Senior Software Engineer (Software Engineer III)
Reports to: Engineering Manager
Direct Reports: None
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Location: Hybrid in Long Island City (Queens), NY*
*Must reside in the following states: NY, NJ, or CT
 
About Us
Opentrons Labworks, Inc. is a disruptive life science company leveraging its integrated lab platform to supercharge the pace of innovation in research and healthcare. Through Opentrons Robotics, thousands of institutions are automating lab operations with flexible, easy-to-use liquid handling lab robots. With our own cutting edge R&D, biopharma and biotech at large can also benefit from our world-class genome-scale cell engineering solutions. 

If you are looking for your next exciting opportunity, come join us! We provide excellent benefits, competitive compensation, equity packages, and opportunities for growth. Learn more on our Careers Website.

About the Role

This full-stack software development role focuses on end-to-end feature development, owning the complete implementation from frontend user experience through backend API integration. You will build production systems that directly impact thousands of laboratories globally, creating intuitive interfaces for AI-powered protocol generation while ensuring reliability, safety, and excellent user experience.
 
The Sr. Software Engineer will be a key implementation partner in building and scaling OpentronsAI, our groundbreaking platform that leverages Large Language Models to democratize laboratory automation. Working closely with the Lead ML Researcher, you will translate research concepts and product requirements into robust, user-facing features that enable scientists worldwide to automate their laboratory workflows.
 
This is a hybrid position, requiring onsite presence at our Long Island City headquarters at least 3 days per week.
 
What You Would Do
  • Develop performant and reliable software that will enable our users to conduct scientific experiments and control our hardware
  • Take primary responsibility for customer-facing web applications built with Python, Typescript, React, HTML, and CSS
  • Actively collaborate with other engineering staff, as well as design and product teams
  • Design and implement complete features end-to-end
  • Address growing feature backlog with balanced focus on both frontend user experience and backend functionality
  • Integrate backend AI services with frontend interfaces, ensuring smooth real-time communication
  • Collaborate with the Lead ML Researcher, scientists, and field scientists to understand requirements and validate implementations
  • Optimize application performance and user experience based on real-world usage patterns
  • Maintain code quality through testing, documentation, and adherence to best practices
  • Participate in product planning and provide technical feasibility input on new features

Who We Are Looking For
Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or similar field, or equivalent certifications and experience

Experience:

  • 5+ years of experience developing customer-facing web applications using TypeScript and React (including state management, responsive design, and real-time UI updates)
  • Strong backend development experience with Python, frameworks such as FastAPI, RESTful API design, and databases
  • Experience writing well-tested TypeScript applications
  • Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and/or directly with scientists or technical end users
  • Preferred: Experience with AI/ML-powered applications
  • Preferred: Experience maintaining CI/CD pipelines and deploying to cloud environments (AWS)
  • Preferred: Contributions to or maintenance of open-source software
  • Preferred: Biology or laboratory experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Frontend Development:
  • Expert proficiency in React and TypeScript
  • Strong understanding of component architecture, state management, and performance optimization
  • Experience with real-time UI updates, responsive design, and modern CSS frameworks
Backend Development:
  • Strong proficiency in Python and backend frameworks like FastAPI
  • Experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs
  • Understanding of asynchronous programming, background task processing, and ORM/database design
General Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency with version control (Git) and collaborative development workflows
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS) and deployment practices
  • Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
  • Ability to debug complex full-stack issues
Soft Skills:
  • Strong communication skills; able to collaborate across technical and scientific teams
  • Self-directed with ability to own features from conception to deployment
  • Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and user experience
  • Ability to balance speed with code quality and maintainability
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

  • Hybrid work environment based in New York with flexibility for remote days
  • Core collaboration hours with occasional overlap for international team coordination
  • Prolonged periods working at a computer for development work
  • Minimal physical effort required
  • Fast-paced startup environment requiring ability to deliver features iteratively while maintaining quality
Compensation:  The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $150,000 and $165,000 per year; however base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience. We typically target mid-range for well-qualified candidates. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity and a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. Following employment, growth beyond the hiring range is possible based on performance.
 
Opentrons Labworks Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected for the requisition or the requisition has a sufficient number of applications.

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