Systems Application Software Engineer
Bright Silicon Technologies | Pleasanton, CA | Full time

About the Role

Bright Silicon Technologies (BST) is developing precision optical systems around our Lightfield Directing Array (LDA), a solid-state beam-steering technology. Our projects include OCTANE, a free-space laser communications terminal that brings together optics, electronics, and controls to connect moving platforms. Reliable software makes that hardware work as a system.

We’re looking for a Systems Application Software Engineer with 2–5 years of experience to develop the software that operates our systems. This is a broad, hands-on engineering role spanning application development, hardware integration, communication interfaces, APIs, firmware, and testing.

As part of a small engineering team, you'll work on a variety of challenges, from developing and debugging applications to implementing interfaces, integrating hardware, and validating systems in the lab. You’ll work closely with electrical, controls, communications, photonics, and other software engineers to take systems from early prototypes through production. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable working across these boundaries, eager to learn unfamiliar technologies, and ready to take ownership of engineering problems that do not always fit neatly within one discipline.

What you’ll do

• Develop and debug Python and C++ software to operate, test, and integrate our optical systems, from experimental prototypes to production systems.
• Work hands-on with prototype systems to develop application-level software and firmware, build test suites, automate experiments, and characterize device performance.
• Systematically investigate complex hardware and software behavior, design experiments to isolate problems, identify root causes, and validate solutions.
• Translate existing algorithms into efficient, reliable software implementations.
• Develop software interfaces, APIs, telemetry systems, and application logic to control, configure, and monitor our systems.
• Investigate and optimize software performance, including computational efficiency, multithreading, latency, and communication throughput.
• Turn loosely defined engineering goals into well-scoped projects, determine appropriate technical approaches, and independently develop solutions.
• Take ownership of software subsystems, maintaining and improving them while collaborating with engineers across disciplines to integrate and validate the full system.

What we’re looking for

• Strong Python and C++ programming skills, with experience developing reliable, maintainable, and reusable software in a production environment.
• Experience writing and debugging multithreaded C++ programs, with a solid understanding of pointers, memory lifetime, and data structures.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, translate ambiguous goals into well-defined solutions, and adapt to changing priorities and unfamiliar technical challenges.
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to systematically investigate problems, design experiments, isolate root causes, and validate solutions across software and hardware.
• Hands-on experience developing software that interacts with physical hardware.
• Experience with multithreaded applications and network communications, including an understanding of concurrency, synchronization, and communication protocols.
• A degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MATLAB, NumPy, SciPy, linear algebra, or numerical computing, including translating algorithms into software implementations.
• Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS environments, firmware development, or developing software for resource-constrained systems.
• Familiarity with hardware communication interfaces and embedded devices.
• Experience with automated hardware testing, simulation environments or digital twins, or developing tools for experimental data collection and analysis.
• Experience profiling and performance optimization on embedded systems.
• Experience with robotics, controls, communications systems, precision instrumentation, or optical systems.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At BST we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why BST

• Help develop a new optical technology, solving challenging engineering problems and taking systems from early prototypes through production.
• Work alongside experienced engineers in software, electronics, controls, precision mechanisms, and optics, with opportunities to learn across disciplines and expand your technical skills.
• Take meaningful technical ownership and make a direct impact in a small, engineer-led company that offers competitive compensation, equity, and a sustainable approach to work.

Company Overview

At Bright, we build precision optical systems to guide data for a new era of communication. Our team combines precision engineering, optical design, and product development to commercialize the Lightfield Directing Array. Applications include laser communications, optical switching for data centers, lidar, and additive manufacturing.
Founded in 2020, Bright Silicon Technologies is building an enduring technology manufacturing company. You’ll contribute to the development, launch, and scaling of advanced optical products. We offer competitive salaries and equity incentives, and we value effective engineering alongside long-term work/life balance.
Our benefits include:

• Equity Incentive Plan
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with other voluntary benefits
• 3% employer contribution to employee 401(k)
• Development and career growth opportunities
• Generous paid time off and paid company holidays

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bright Silicon Technologies is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, association with a member of a protected class, bereavement leave, color, disability (physical, intellectual/developmental, or mental health/psychiatric), exercising the right to family care and medical leave related to serious health condition of employee or family member, child bonding, or military exigencies, engaging in protected activity, gender identity or expression, genetic information or characteristic, marital status, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristic), military and veteran status, national origin (includes language restrictions), pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions, Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), race (includes hairstyle and hair texture), religious creed (includes dress and grooming practices), reproductive health decision making, sex/gender, and sexual orientation.

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