Senior Software Engineer - Controls & Automation
Role summary
Earth is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop and own the real-time system for their natural organic reduction (NOR) vessels. This hands-on role involves building software that directly controls physical systems, focusing on process controls, automation, reliability, and observability. You will collaborate cross-functionally with Science, Product, Firmware, Hardware, and Operations teams to ensure safe and scalable vessel operation. The ideal candidate has 5-8 years of software experience, including 2-3 years with control or physical systems, proficiency in Python, and experience with industrial protocols like MQTT. This remote-first position offers a mission-driven opportunity to impact environmental sustainability.
About Earth
At Earth, we’re transforming the end-of-life experience by offering a sustainable alternative to cremation and burial.
Our process, natural organic reduction (NOR), gently transforms a body into nutrient-rich soil in ~45 days, returning life to the earth. Families can choose to receive the soil to scatter, plant, or share, while the remainder is thoughtfully donated to conservation projects that restore and heal our planet.
Powered by our proprietary vessel technology, we precisely control temperature, moisture, oxygen, and nutrients to recreate natural processes.
First legalized in Washington in 2019, NOR is rapidly expanding nationwide. Earth is the national leader, backed by major investors, and growing quickly.
The Role
We’re seeking a Senior Software Engineer to bring our process controls and scientific models into a real-time system that operates our vessels.
This is not a typical SaaS role. You’ll be building software that directly controls physical systems in the real world.
This is a senior, hands-on role with significant ownership over how our vessels operate. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally to ensure consistent, scalable, and safe vessel behavior across all of our facilities.
What You’ll Do
- Own the vessel controls architecture across sensors, embedded controllers, and supervisory software (HMI, edge, cloud).
- Implement simple control processes and work toward automation and optimization longer term.
- Drive reliability and observability of live vessels through telemetry, safety interlocks, and anomaly detection tools.
- Partner with Science, Product, Firmware, Hardware, and Operations teams.
About You
- 5-8 years of software experience, including 2-3 years working with control systems or physical systems
- Systems-minded engineer comfortable working across software, hardware, and process automation
- Proficiency in Python (or similar) for real-time/control systems
- Experience with industrial protocols or messaging systems (MQTT or similar)
- Strong focus on building simple, reliable, observable systems
- Motivated by work that has real-world, environmental impact
Preferred
- Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or similar (or equivalent practical experience)
- Familiarity with modern DevOps (GitLab CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes)
Role Location & Travel Expectations
Occasional travel to U.S. facilities for vessel commissioning projects.
Why Earth
- Mission-driven work
- Competitive salary + equity
- Remote-first environment
- Medical, dental, vision
- 401(k) plan
- Unlimited PTO