Senior Software Engineer

About RBR: Making waves since 1973

At RBR, we’ve been designing cutting-edge instruments to measure our blue planet for over 50 years. Built to withstand the harshest environments on Earth, our instruments are deployed from the ocean’s deepest trenches to the polar ice caps, capturing essential data on water temperature, salinity, pH, and more. This data empowers researchers in the global fight against climate change, and our technology supports groundbreaking science with partners like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Woods Hole, the Scripps Institution, and the British Antarctic Survey.

At RBR, we care deeply about our work, each other, the environment, and the global communities we serve. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and having fun along the way. From weekly lunches to social events, we’re a crew that thrives on complex, exciting challenges that have a meaningful impact on the blue planet! Ready to make waves with us? Apply below!

About the Role

As the Senior Software Developer , you’ll be joining a small, collaborative software team at RBR. Your primary focus will be Ruskin, RBR’s flagship cross-platform desktop application (Mac and Windows) that connects to, configures, and deploys our full instrument lineup, and integrates with other internal systems to keep everything in one place. A secondary focus is our calibration software ecosystem, including a standalone calibration application currently being spun out of Ruskin into its own product.

You’ll work closely with every engineering discipline at RBR, which means your code has a direct impact on the physical instruments our customers rely on. This is a full-stack role with real breadth: from UI and databases through to low-level instrument communications and release engineering. You’ll own 3–4 projects at a time, seeing them from requirements through to delivery, and interfacing directly with other teams to make it happen.

This is a fast-moving environment where priorities shift by the hour, the right person finds that energizing, not frustrating.

What you'll build

Next-gen architecture

• Evolve Ruskin’s sophisticated multi-layered Java-based desktop platform and design scalable systems for processing sensor data
• Drive the software roadmap and long-term architectural vision
• Contribute to and improve our CI/CD pipelines, build system, and release planning
• Build and improve automated testing and DevOps processes, everyone on this team chips in here

Real-time systems & instrument communication

• Develop robust communication protocols between Ruskin and RBR’s instrument lineup
• Optimise database and storage interactions
• Architect and maintain instrument communication frameworks

Calibration software & APIs

• Build and maintain calibration software systems and REST APIs using Spring/Spring Boot
• Develop and improve our standalone calibration application (currently being spun out of Ruskin)
• Integrate calibration workflows with QA, manufacturing, and lab operations

User experience

• Design intuitive UIs for both researchers (customers) and RBR’s internal Calibration team
• Balance functionality with usability for mission-critical desktop applications
• Bring a UI/UX lens to design discussions, we want someone who thinks about the end user, not just the code

Team & support

• Provide internal support to Engineering, Production, and Calibration teams
• Action support tickets from external users and the global oceanographic community
• Review and test code changes from other developers, QA is a shared responsibility, not a separate function
• Provide technical mentorship and conduct design and code reviews

Global & scientific impact

• Support researchers deploying instruments worldwide and contribute to open science
• Provide developer-level support to the global oceanographic community
• Ensure data accuracy through reliable, well-integrated calibration systems

What you bring

• You've spent a decade or more building software professionally. You have the experience to own complex projects from architecture through delivery and can confidently navigate technical challenges.
• Strong Java experience (or deep experience in another modern object-oriented language with the ability to ramp up quickly in Java). You're language-agnostic and enjoy learning new technologies when they're the right tool for the job.
• A full-stack mindset. You're comfortable moving between user interfaces, backend services, databases, APIs, and system integrations.
• Experience building complex software systems where reliability, maintainability, and thoughtful architecture matter.
• A strong sense of ownership. You enjoy taking projects from idea through delivery and aren't afraid to jump in wherever you're needed.
• Quality-first engineering practices. Automated testing, code reviews, CI/CD, and maintainable code are simply part of how you build software.
• Curiosity and adaptability. You thrive in environments where priorities evolve quickly and enjoy solving new problems every day.
• You're an AI-enabled builder. You leverage modern AI tools throughout the development lifecycle to prototype ideas, accelerate delivery, automate repetitive work, validate solutions, and tackle complex engineering challenges. You don't just use AI to write code; you use it to become a more effective engineer and build better software.

Nice to haves

• Experience developing desktop applications on Windows or macOS.
• Experience working with hardware, embedded systems, serial communications, or connected devices.
• Experience with Spring or Spring Boot, REST APIs, and modern Java development.
• Familiarity with SQLite or other embedded databases.
• Experience with SWT, Swing, JavaFX, or other desktop UI frameworks.
• Experience designing software that spans hardware, databases, APIs, and user interfaces.
• Familiarity with Eclipse IDE.
• An eye for UI/UX, with an appreciation for building intuitive experiences—not just functional ones.

Salary range: $120,000–$155,000

The final salary and job level will depend on your experience and qualifications. We know great talent shows up at different points in a career - whether you’re earlier in your journey or bring senior-level experience, we encourage you to apply. Depending on fit, the role level may shift accordingly.

Why you'll love working at RBR

• 20 days of vacation, plus a company-wide holiday shutdown and paid sick days
• Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching
• Bonus program
• Annual fitness reimbursement program
• Greener commuting incentive program (bike-to-work, carpool, or transit passes)
• EV reimbursement program + on-site charging stations
• Charitable donation matching
• Weekly lunches (on us!)
• Team events and social activities
• Collaborative, supportive work environment
• Work alongside passionate experts spanning multiple disciplines
• Direct impact on climate science and ocean research

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome people from all backgrounds and aim to find the most talented person for each role. Accommodations are available upon request at every stage of the selection process.

AI statement: At RBR, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools during parts of our hiring process. These tools may be used to support note-taking, scheduling, and/or organizing candidate information. Final hiring decisions are made by our people.