Electrical Engineer | $95/hr Remote

Crossing Hurdles is seeking a Software Engineer II to design, develop, and maintain high-quality Python code for controlling complex hardware systems. The role involves implementing control algorithms, managing control interfaces, and troubleshooting software and system-level issues to ensure reliable lab equipment performance.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain high-quality Python code for controlling complex hardware systems, including wind tunnel fan arrays and associated mechanical components
• Implement and optimize control algorithms for real-time performance and precision, including PWM control for fan motors and actuators
• Develop software to program and generate airflow conditions including laminar, turbulent, gradient, and time-varying flows
• Create and manage control interfaces for secondary systems including robotic HATS movers, lift systems, and multi-channel spatial audio setups
• Integrate data from motion capture systems (e.g., Optitrack) for real-time tracking and system alignment
• Develop and execute automated procedures for the calibration of wind speeds, acoustic sensors, and other critical measurements
• Build and maintain data pipelines for capturing, processing, and analyzing experimental data from sensors
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex software and system-level issues to ensure high availability and reliability of lab equipment
• Produce clear and comprehensive documentation for software architecture, APIs, and operational procedures

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
• Professional experience in Python programming with emphasis on hardware control, lab automation, or robotics
• Solid understanding of control systems theory, digital signal processing, and data acquisition principles
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics, aerodynamic principles, and acoustic measurement techniques
• Experience working in a laboratory or R&D environment
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex systems involving both hardware and software
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working in multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency in modern Python and object-oriented design
• Experience with scientific computing and data analysis libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas)
• Experience with hardware control interfaces and protocols such as PWM, serial, and Ethernet
• Experience with audio signal processing or multi-channel data acquisition libraries
• Competency with version control systems, particularly Git
• Experience using configuration file formats such as YAML or JSON
• Knowledge of network communication protocols and experience with REST APIs
• Experience with motion control systems for robotics or automation
• Familiarity with spatial audio technologies such as High-Order Ambisonics (HOA)
• Experience integrating motion capture systems into control software
• Experience with aerodynamic measurement techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)
• Familiarity with GUI development frameworks for internal tools
• Experience with cross-platform software development (Windows, macOS, Linux)