R&D Software Developer

Enjoy a job with a lot of close interaction with users and experts of all fields and contribute your skills to the advancements of future technologies

What you will do

At imec we drive innovation by researching novel technologies and understanding the underlying principles of operation. Measurement, testing and data-acquisition are at the core of this research which is why we boast state-of-the-art measurement infrastructure. Driving this infrastructure and further enabling researchers is challenging, combining the demands of efficiency and standardization with offering the versatility and flexibility research requires. To further support these activities, we’re looking for an R&D developer ready to tackle this challenge.

You will work in a small team that focusses on providing software solutions and support for the Advanced reliability Robustness & Testing (AR2T) department. You are focused on bringing quality, scalable solutions tailored to R&D needs, working closely with scientists, researchers and Software Developers alike. You will align with them on their needs and develop solutions that keep the greater picture in mind.

In this job, your main responsibilities will be: 

• Writing scalable, maintainable and flexible python software solutions for use in a research environment, possibly augmented with small amounts of C code for low lvl access or performance reasons.
• Catering your solutions to a range of user profiles (going from intermediate coders that prefer library style solutions to people who prefer not to touch code and require a User Interface (UI) approach [for IU’s we usually go either Command Line Interface (CLI) or (py)QT based Graphical User Interface (GUI)])
• Being key responsible for software solutions that aim to automate/drive a range of electronic measurement equipment. [Oscilloscopes, smu’s, automated probe stations over TCPIP/GPIB via VISA or equivalent. These solutions include both low level driver interactions as well as higher level convenience and measurement scripts/automation on top]
• You will communicate both with fellow developers as well as researchers/experts in various fields. Being able to effectively communicate and understand their needs and translate these into a software solution is a crucial task for this job. You will also need to communicate your technical products/expertise to an audience with a different experience set.
• You are responsible for you own projects, the goals and scope will come from external factors (users, larger planning/vision, …) but you are responsible for developing the code and its architecture. You will be able to discuss and get input from both the user-base (scientists/engineers) as well as from your fellow developers within the R&D software team (which you will be part).
• Parts of your development will intersect with projects of your fellow developers/team members, so good communication and efficient collaboration is essential to find collaborative solutions where you join your respective expertise. (Say measurement platform and data analysis overlap, live tracking during measurements, …)

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You have a Bachelor/master (or equivalent through experience) focusing heavily on software development combined with electronics and electronic measurements.
• You are proficient in python and can write well-structured projects/libraries. You have a good understanding of C, knowing how to combine the two efficiently can be a bonus.
• You can relate to and understand the needs of a research environment.
• You have experience performing electrical measurements and driving/automating these using python and protocols like VISA
• You work in a structured and well-planned manner, documenting your work and making comprehensive examples where useful.
• You are a team player, driven by innovation, collaboration and ideas.
• You have good communication skills since you will work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team of imec researchers, PhD students and industrial researchers.
• Given the international character of imec, we see your excellent knowledge of English as a must
• Having some experience or interest in machine learning for future automation is a bonus as is the ability to-do basic UI design (ideally in (py)QT/ pyside)