Systems & Protocol Engineer Device Interfaces on Windows (m/f/d)

Job description

The role

We’re looking for a systems-minded engineer to help build software that connects and translates lab-equipment hardware interfaces, automates machines, and powers our next-generation automation platform.

You’ll work close to the metal on Windows, inspect vendor libraries and communication paths, and turn noisy device behavior into clean wire protocols and minimal clients (primarily Python/C#; interest in Rust is welcome, not required).

You understand .NET/C# well enough to navigate it, but you’re forward-thinking and pragmatic.

Our mission is to bridge lab equipment and cloud-based automation so researchers can move faster on real problems - curing diseases, developing sustainable materials, improving food security.

As we scale, you’ll help shape our engineering culture with the CTO and ship foundational interfaces many products will rely on.

If you like solving hard problems at the software–hardware boundary, we want to meet you.

Your mission

• Read and understand .NET and C# libraries and Windows IPC mechanisms including COM, ActiveX, .NET Remoting, and Named Pipes to extract the essentials
• Build lean reference clients and probes in Python and C# (Rust optional) with tests, diagnostics, and safety checks such as timeouts, retries, and validation
• Ship reusable connectors and integrate them into our platform to automate real instruments end to end
• Build internal SDKs and helper libraries for device communication and test fixtures
• Collaborate with partner hardware experts and proactively identify and report bugs and potential vulnerabilities
• Observe device communications on Windows (USB, Serial, COM, IPC), derive message formats, states, and timing, and maintain versioned protocol specs
• Add metrics, logging, and tracing, perform basic profiling, and implement robust error handling
• Maintain CI pipelines including linting, unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop tests, and handle artifact packaging
• Keep engineering hygiene high with clear documentation, concise design notes and RFCs, and reproducible workflows
• Participate in code reviews and keep documentation concise, current, and actionable

Your profile

• Forward-thinking, not bound to legacy stacks.
• .NET-literate: can read C#/IL (ILSpy/dnSpy) or use runtime tracing when needed.
• Comfortable on Windows with USB/Serial/COM and PCAP-style tools (Wireshark/USBPcap).
• Python for application development.
• Strong design/testing/reliability; bias for small, working proofs.
• Clear English communication and documentation.

Nice to have

• Windows IPC experience; exposure to lab/industrial devices.
• DevOps basics (containers, CI/CD); prior startup experience.
• Rust interest is a plus.

About UniteLabs

is on the mission to accelerate scientific progress by automating lab processes with scalable infrastructure.
We’re a startup based in Munich, Germany, pioneering an industry-first integration platform for lab automation, bridging hardware and software across vendor barriers to revolutionize life science R&D.

By digitalizing life science R&D, we enable researchers in biotech, pharma, chemistry, and food industries to accelerate their work in groundbreaking fields such as disease treatment, sustainable materials, and food security.
Our platform empowers customers to analyze more data, run autonomous experiments, and leverage AI-driven solutions, driving innovation and efficiency.

At UniteLabs, we are committed to providing the infrastructure that powers the future of scientific discovery.
As one of the first full-time hires, you'll thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and take on significant responsibilities from day one.

We are a tech-driven company that takes pride in our solutions—and we’re looking for individuals who share that passion and want to grow with the company into leadership and expert roles.

Why join us?

• Impactful Work: Work on meaningful products in an ambitious, supportive environment as part of a team revolutionizing connectivity in laboratory automation to enable breakthroughs in science and technology.
• Work with the Best: Join a talented, ambitious team in a dynamic, transparent environment where your ideas help shape the company's future.
• Collaborative Culture: Team-oriented environment focused on continuous knowledge-sharing and professional growth, with regular team-building activities including offsites and work-cations.
• Flexible Environment: Backed by an employee-first culture that supports flexible remote work and PTO, with our main office in the vibrant WERK1 Munich hub.
• Attractive Compensation Package: Competitive compensation with growth potential in a VC-backed startup, along with a laptop of choice, annual productivity budget, and a growing list of benefits for sports, mobility, insurance, and more.

Tech stack

A non-exhaustive list of our main technologies and tools used for a given task:

• Web: TypeScript, Vue 3, Nuxt 3, TailwindCSS
• Services: TypeScript, NestJS, Prisma
• Cloud: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, AWS, Terraform
• Databases: PostgreSQL
• Workflows: Python, Prefect
• Connectors: Python, SiLA 2, gRPC, zeroconf

How to apply

If you’re passionate about automation, have a customer-focused mindset, and are ready to define the future of smart labs, we’d love to hear from you.

Share your CV or LinkedIn profile, along with any motivations or aspirations that make you a perfect fit for this role.
Let’s build the future of lab automation together.

Apply today!

About us

UniteLabs offers an operating system for the automation and digitalization of biotech labs that enables the integration of laboratory equipment/software for real-time data collection and the implementation of AI-supported workflows to optimize R&D processes.

Required Skill Profession

Computer Occupations