Software Engineer (Early Career) – C++ & Systems

SirenOpt builds a real-time sensing platform, and this early-career role helps strengthen the software foundation behind end-to-end sensor data delivery. You will work in a modern C++ and Python codebase on Linux systems, developing and validating the data pipeline that feeds customer applications. The team emphasizes mentorship, code review, and practical systems testing using real lab hardware.

What you’ll work on

You will develop and maintain the components that move sensor data from acquisition through processing and storage to the services that deliver results to applications. The work blends software engineering with systems validation, with opportunities to troubleshoot issues across software and hardware boundaries.

• Build and maintain software components in modern C++ (C++17/20) for Linux-based systems, with guidance from senior engineers
• Implement features, fix bugs, and write unit and integration tests across the pipeline from sensor acquisition through processing and storage to delivery services
• Create and maintain Python scripts for automation, testing, and data analysis
• Read and, when needed, modify code in other languages across the codebase
• Use AI coding tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor to accelerate development, then verify changes through testing, profiling, and code review
• Run changes on real hardware in the lab, including setting up sensors and collecting data for validation
• Participate in code reviews, receiving and providing feedback, and follow team conventions for code quality
• Diagnose and debug issues spanning software and hardware by working with firmware and hardware engineers
• Measure and improve performance of existing code under direction from senior engineers
• Document work so teammates can build on it

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (recent graduates welcome)
• 0–2 years of professional software development experience; internships, co-ops, research, and substantial personal or open-source projects count
• Strong C++ foundation, including memory management, references and pointers, the standard library, and basic object-oriented and generic programming
• Ability to read, understand, and write Python and work within existing Python codebases for automation, testing, and data analysis
• Capability to pick up new programming languages quickly, with the expectation to read and occasionally modify code outside of C++ and Python
• Core fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and concurrency basics
• Comfort with the everyday toolchain: Linux command line, CMake or similar build tools, a debugger, and Git workflows (branches, pull requests, code review)
• Hands-on experience using AI coding tools (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor) as part of a real workflow, along with judgment to review and test outputs
• Comfort working with lab and test equipment: setting up sensors, running the system on real hardware, and collecting data for testing and validation (training provided on specific equipment)
• Clear written and verbal communication and ability to collaborate across disciplines

Nice to have

• Experience with Qt, gRPC, or Protocol Buffers
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
• Experience with profiling and debugging tools such as perf, Valgrind, GDB, or sanitizers
• Familiarity with hardware communication interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, or Serial
• Contributions to open-source projects

Benefits

• Equity and salary compensation depends on experience
• Health, Dental, Vision plans provided
• 401k matching provided
• Time off: 20 days of PTO per year, plus approximately 15 paid US holidays per year

Role details

• Location: San Leandro, CA (onsite)
• Job type: Full-Time
• Salary: USD 120,000 - 160,000 per year
• Technologies: C++, C++17, C++20, Python, Linux, CMake, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor

What you’ll learn

• How to build a high-throughput, multi-sensor data pipeline end to end, from acquisition through processing and storage, and keep it reliable in production
• Modern C++ and Linux systems engineering with regular code review and mentorship from senior engineers
• How software, firmware, and hardware teams work together to ship a physical product
• How to use AI coding tools effectively and responsibly in a professional engineering workflow
• A path to grow into a mid-level engineer with ownership of your own components