Senior Software Engineer

Diamond Light Source

Based onsite / Hybrid working available – minimum 3 days onsite per week

About Us

Software helps to enable the world-leading science performed at Diamond. Our software systems facilitate operations at all levels, including the low-level control of synchrotron and beamline hardware, the planning, execution and monitor of experiments, data archiving and retrieval, data processing and visualisation, the application for beamtime, and capture of remote experiment plans and samples. Our software engineers work alongside our scientists to develop innovative and robust solutions to keep Diamond at the forefront of scientific research.

At Diamond we are currently undertaking a major upgrade of the facility, known as Diamond-II. Diamond-II will combine a new machine and new beamlines with a comprehensive series of upgrades to optics, detectors, sample environments, sample delivery capabilities and computing, which will ultimately generate an even more brilliant light source at a higher energy.

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a Senior Software Engineer to provide leadership and develop scientific software to be used on Diamond’s beamlines. Work collaboratively with beamline scientists and other members of SSCC to gather software requirements, design, and architect software solutions to meet the needs of the user community. Lead on activities to provide software as a service to users on Diamond and external infrastructures (e.g., cloud) to the benefit of beamlines

This role offers a rare opportunity to work on a greenfield project: building a cutting-edge, cloud-native data analysis platform. You will play a central role in shaping the architecture, tooling, and deployment strategy, free from legacy constraints. The project will leverage modern technologies such as Kubernetes for orchestration, Rust for high-performance, reliable services, and TypeScript with React on the frontend.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing technical leadership on software projects to develop, test, maintain and support software solutions across beamlines in collaboration with SSCC members and beamline scientists.
• Leading and implementing industry standard software engineering practices to ensure sustainability of software solutions.
• Bringing an experienced software engineer vision and problem-solving mindset to the software lifecycle and advise on project structure to identify problems early and avoid pitfalls before they become apparent.
• Leading on code modernisation activities with reliability, robustness, performance, and portability in mind to meet the needs of the user community.
• Leading on code review meetings and provide mentoring for junior software engineers as well as develop a nurturing environment to learn industry standard software engineering practices

About You

You will hold a First degree in relevant field, or equivalent, as well as significant experience in the following areas:

• Professional (or equivalent) software development in a technical software environment
• At least one higher level programming language (such as C++/Python/Rust/Typescript)
• Supervising and directing small teams and mentoring/code reviews
• Cloud-native technologies and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes)

You will also have a technical/theoretical understanding of methods, systems and approaches relating to technical software engineering including computing architecture and algorithms

Experience with or interest in modern frontend development and user interface design principles would be beneficial.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The closing date for applications is 15th February, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.