Reporting to: VP Engineering
Location: Reading, RG30 1DZ
Salary: £80-100k+ per annum + options
Working hours: 37.5 hours, Monday – Friday

About BigSis

BigSis a UK start-up, is applying robotics and artificial intelligence to transform the production of sterile male insects, which are used for chemical-free control of pest insects. BigSis has developed a pilot automated production line and is now focused on scaling this from thousands to millions of insects per week.

We look to attract candidates who can demonstrate behaviours in sync with our company values which are:

• Spirit – Having innovation, team and fighting spirit!
• Fluid – Working in a flexible way and being open to change
• Trustworthy – Includes honesty, integrity, respect and being approachable
• Growth mindset – Learn and grows & embraces challenges
• Succeeding together – Collaborate and celebrates success together

Purpose and responsibilities

The Software Engineering Manager will join a small but fast-growing team and make an important contribution to the development of BigSis automated production systems. The work will be varied and challenging, including junior team member management and mentorship with overall ownership of all aspects of the software used in the BigSis Insect Rearing system.

This is a challenging hands-on programming and team leadership role and combines embedded software running on different modules, to data backhauling to AWS for data storage and analytics, developing Artificial Intelligence models for processing the capsules in the system, to taking ownership of the field delivery operations apps and tools.

Given the time pressures of a start-up, the chosen person must be able to deliver ’good enough’ operational solutions as a priority and then work to refine the system.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• 2:1 degree in computer science or relevant engineering discipline, or equivalent
• Substantial software Engineering team leadership experience, including recruitment, mentoring, performance and code reviews
• Python/C++, PyTorch, Numpy, Pandas, Tensorflow, Computer Vision, OpenCV, JavaScript, HTML
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing control mechanisms for automation
• Solution orientated with an ability to think outside the box

Desirable experience

• Design of low power automated systems and/or equipment, e.g. animatronics, vending machines or kitchen appliances
• Use of embedded microcontrollers/IDEs, e.g. Raspberry Pi, Okdo, Tinker Edge R
• AWS cloud storage and data analytics
• Android / IoS mobile applications
• Experience working with 3rd party remote software developers
• Experience working with stepper motors, servo motors, automatic material handling systems
• Project management skills or certification
• Design and assembly of electronic circuits, electrical panels and/or PCBs
• Worked in an environment with hygiene and/or regulatory requirements, such as the food, cosmetics or medical sectors

Personal attributes

To thrive in the unstructured and fast-changing environment of a start-up, important personal qualities are:

• Energy, ambition and commitment to ensure the job gets done
• Honesty, integrity and openness to ensure we build a great company culture
• Flexibility to changes in priorities and adaptability to new ideas
• Out of the box thinking and ’can do’ attitude
• Team player who creates and thrives in a collaborative environment and
• Effective communication skills.

You need to be comfortable working with live insects, including spending time in the hot and humid insect rearing area. Insects and their growth cells are very small, so you need good fine work skills.

You may have experience in the following: Software Engineering Manager, Lead Software Developer, Principal Software Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, Robotics Software Developer, Automation Software Engineer, Software Team Lead, Full Stack Developer, AI/ML Engineer, Cloud Solutions Architect, Applications Developer, IoT Software Engineer, R&D Software Engineer, etc.

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