Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Contract

South San Francisco · Remote ok

About this role


Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Contract
Cytovale |  Software & Data Systems
Department: Software & Data Systems
Reports To: Senior Engineering Manager, Software & Data

About Cytovale

Cytovale is a medical diagnostics company whose FDA-cleared IntelliSep® test enables rapid sepsis risk assessment in the emergency department. Our instrument combines microfluidic sample preparation, high-speed imaging, real-time image analysis, and advanced software to deliver clinically actionable results in minutes. We develop and maintain this technology under a regulated quality system compliant with FDA design controls, IEC 62304, ISO 13485, and modern cybersecurity expectations.

The Role

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Embedded Software Engineer to work on a contractual basis, contributing across the IntelliSep software platform, including the Sample Preparation Module (SPM), Cell Imaging Module (CIM), and Image Analysis Module (IAM). You will go beyond traditional embedded development by supporting Linux-based embedded platforms, software architecture, OS upgrades, and development infrastructure.

What You'll Do

  • Design, implement, and maintain embedded software in modern C++ across IntelliSep instrument platforms and Linux-based systems. 
  • Support platform modernization efforts, including embedded OS upgrades, toolchain updates, and software infrastructure improvements. 
  • Develop Python-based tools, build systems, and CI/CD pipelines to support verification and validation (V&V), manufacturing, service, and data workflows. 
  • Troubleshoot complex issues spanning software, firmware, operating systems, networking, and instrument hardware. 
  • Design and maintain interfaces between instrument subsystems, including imaging, motion control, sensing, and software services. 
  • Author and maintain software requirements, architecture/design specifications, and quality system lifecycle artifacts. 
  • Contribute to software V&V, cybersecurity maintenance, vulnerability remediation, risk management, and secure product development activities. 
  • Distribute engineering knowledge through documentation, architecture reviews, and mentorship.

Required Qualifications

  • BS or MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent industry experience. 
  • 8+ years of experience developing embedded software for complex electromechanical systems. 
  • Expert-level C++ programming on Linux-based systems, with strong multi-threading and performance-optimization experience. 
  • Experience integrating and debugging complex instrumentation (motion control, imaging, sensors, networking) using equipment like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. 
  • Strong Python programming skills. 
  • Experience developing and maintaining CI/CD infrastructure, cross-compilation environments, and automated verification workflows. 
  • Experience authoring software requirements, architecture documents, and design specifications. 
  • Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot cross-disciplinary issues with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing medical device software under FDA design controls, IEC 62304, ISO 13485, and risk management frameworks. 
  • Hands-on embedded Linux experience, including OS interfaces, deployment, debugging, and lifecycle maintenance.
  • Experience with Docker, containerized build environments, and infrastructure automation. 
  • Experience with distributed embedded systems architecture, configuration management, and regulated development processes. 
  • Experience supporting cybersecurity deliverables (SBOM generation, vulnerability management, penetration testing remediation). 
  • Experience with image acquisition, computer vision, image processing, or scientific instrumentation.

 

Company at a glance

Cytovale is a medical diagnostics company focused on providing a more rapid and insightful way to diagnose fast-moving and immune-mediated diseases. Our FDA cleared IntelliSep test is pioneering a new way of quickly and accurately analyzing white blood cells to stratify a patient’s risk of sepsis by performing a biomechanical evaluation of white blood cells collected from a standard blood draw in under 10 minutes.

Cytovale’s first market application will be for sepsis, one of the fastest-moving, most lethal conditions in the world. Sepsis, a dysregulated immune response to infection, is often difficult to quickly and accurately diagnose. Sepsis is the no. 1 cause of death in hospitals, taking the lives of 270,000 people every year in the U.S. – more than opioid overdoses, prostate cancer, and breast cancer combined. Mortality from sepsis increases as much as eight percent with every hour of delayed treatment, and as much as 80 percent of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment, making early detection essential.
Cytovale aims to provide critical insight for early identification of patients at risk of having sepsis, in the time needed for it to be useful.

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cytovale

Founded2013
Team Size51-200 employees
WorkspaceRemote ok
IndustryBiotechnology Research
Location
South San Francisco, California, United States
LinkedInLinkedIn

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