Scientific Software Engineer - Quantum Microscopy

WHO WE ARE
Qnami is a Quantum Design Company and a pioneer in the Quantum Sensing industry since 2017.
We transform fundamental physics into high-precision scientific instruments. Based in Basel, we sit
at the forefront of the "second quantum revolution," developing diamond-based sensors used by
leading academic researchers and R&D engineers at top-tier semiconductor and high-tech
companies worldwide
For more than 40 years Quantum Design (QD) has been providing technology solutions to
researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, and
nanotechnology. Established in 1982, Quantum Design is the leading commercial source for
automated materials characterization systems offering a variety of measurement capabilities. QD
instruments are found in the world's leading research institutions and have become the reference
standard for a variety of magnetic and physical property measurements
YOUR MISSION
We are looking for a Scientific Software Engineer to develop and advance the software platform of
our Quantum Microscopy product line. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and
implementation of an intuitive user interface in Python and PySide. Your role will extend to hardware
integration and contribution to the development of microscopy modalities and data analysis tools.
Working closely with our R&D team, Product, Applications, and Support teams, you will help
transform advanced scientific concepts in reliable, maintainable, and user-friendly commercial
instruments. You will also collaborate with colleagues at the Quantum Design site in Pfungstadt,
Germany.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Software Platform & User Experience
• Designing, building, and maintaining the PySide/Qt-based graphical user interface
• Implementing responsive, intuitive controls for the various microscope components
• Creating post-processing features and parameter tuning interfaces
• Integrating SDKs and APIs into the platform architecture
Hardware Integration & Instrument Communication
• Developing Python interfaces and drivers for microscopy hardware (e.g. motor stages,
cameras, filter wheels, light sources).
• Debugging communication issues between PC and instruments (serial, USB, Ethernet, etc.)
Controls & Embedded Systems
• Develop and integrate control logic for optical, mechanical and electronic microscope
components primarily within the Python-based instrument-control platform
• Working closely with the hardware team to design and validate embedded solutions
Imaging, Signal Processing & Analysis
• Developing signal processing and image analysis methods integrated into the acquisition
pipeline
Customer Support & Continuous Improvement
• Working with beta testers and our application scientists to identify issues, gather feedback,
and continuously improve system performance and user experience
• Troubleshooting software and hardware issues reported by users and supporting root-cause
analysis.
YOUR PROFILE
Education & Professional Experience
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering,
Physics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 3+ years of professional software development experience with Python
• Experience developing desktop applications using Qt/PySide (PySide2, PySide6, or PyQt)
• Experience working in cross-functional teams alongside engineers and scientists
• Contributions to open-source software projects are a plus
Software Development
• Strong Python development skills, including modern software engineering practices such as
type hints, testing, and asynchronous programming
• Demonstrated understanding of software architecture and code design principles,
• Demonstrated ability to design, develop, and maintain robust, modular, and scalable software
systems
• Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills across complex software stacks
• Strong command of Git-based version control, including branching, merging, code reviews,
and collaborative development practices
• Experience with real-time systems, performance optimisation, threading, or multiprocessing
is a plus
• Proficiency with Linux systems and command-line environments is a plus
Hardware & Instrument Integration
• Experience interfacing with hardware devices using common communication protocols such
as Serial, USB, and TCP/IP
• Ability to diagnose and resolve issues spanning software, hardware, and instrument
communication layers
• Experience with microcontroller development (Arduino, ESP32, or similar) is a plus
Imaging & Scientific Applications
• Experience in image processing and analysis using OpenCV, scikit-image, NumPy, or similar
tools is a plus
• Experience with microscopy systems, laboratory automation, or scientific instrumentation is
a plus
• Knowledge of optics and/or quantum physics is a plus
Communication & Collaboration
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical concepts to various audiences
(technical team, management, customers)
• Collaborative mindset
WHAT WE OFFER
• Exposure to Quantum Technology and real-world experience in modernizing a production
engineering software environment
• Hands-on exposure to software architecture, version control, deployment and testing
• Opportunities to lead an impactful software development effort
• Experience working with critical tools used in scientific and manufacturing operations
• Short communication and decision-making paths within an interdisciplinary team
• A collaborative working environment in a highly skilled, international team, with operations in
Basel (Switzerland) and Pfungstadt (Germany).
• A primarily on-site role in Muttenz/Basel with flexible remote working options within the
requirements of an instrument-development role
• Opportunities for professional growth and technical leadership
The position is available immediately.