Principal Software Engineer, _MADE

Overview:

HKS _MADE (Materials, Applications & Digital Explorations) is a hands-on innovation lab dedicated to rapid experimentation, testing, and iteration. It is a place where bold thinking is encouraged, and the boundaries of traditional practice are intentionally pushed. The team blends creative exploration with technical rigor, using prototyping as a tool to investigate materials, systems, and technologies in ways that spark new possibilities and inform the design process at every stage.
Embedded within our architectural practice, the studio bridges concept to realization—transforming ideas into tangible prototypes that explore materials, performance, construction techniques, IoT systems, immersive experiences, user interaction, and emerging technologies. By embracing a culture of making and learning, the studio accelerates innovation, supports design excellence, and informs project delivery with real-world insight and precision.
Provides technical leadership in the development of advanced software, hardware, and interface solutions to drive innovation in next-generation digital tools, immersive systems and connected devices. Requires expertise at the convergence of design, technology, and physical environments to advance user experience and spatial computing capabilities. Demonstrates a forward-thinking approach and deep technical proficiency to push the boundaries of architectural experiences and product innovation. Manages HKS resources (people, processes and tools) and assignments with proficiency, fluency and aptitude. Teaches and mentors staff and effectively embodies and expresses HKS values and mission.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with leadership to prioritize R&D investments and align technical initiatives with business objectives
• Contributes to long-term innovation strategy and roadmap development in alignment with organizational goals
• Translates abstract design visions into robust technical solutions with an understanding of user-centered design principles
• Collaborates closely with architects, designers, UX/UI specialists, and data scientists to translate creative concepts into functional prototypes
• Advises on feasibility, scalability and technical direction during early-stage design explorations
• Defines and drives the technical vision for interactive and connected systems in partnership with design, UX, and hardware teams
• Supports the integration of physical computing with digital ecosystems (e.g., real-time data visualization, interactive models, dynamic installations)
• Architects modular, scalable, and secure software and hardware platforms for interactive systems and smart environments
• Leads the design and development of cross-platform software solutions, system interfaces, and IoT-integrated devices tailored to spatial and product design contexts
• Serves as the senior technical lead on R&D initiatives, guiding systems-level decisions on tools, platforms, and protocols
• Rapidly prototypes functional demos and proof-of-concept installations using agile and experimental methods
• Develops and iterates on emerging interaction models, including gestural, voice, and ambient interfaces, suited for architectural and product applications
• Builds high-fidelity prototypes of immersive interfaces, sensor-driven interactions, and IoT systems using technologies such as React, WebGL, and custom hardware platforms (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32)
• Supports applied research into new materials, sensors, user interface paradigms, and embedded systems relevant to spatial computing and smart environments
• Leads the integration of cloud services, APIs, sensor networks, and hardware components to enable smart, user-responsive architectural environments
• Experiences implementing scalable DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines in creative tech or design-led organizations
• Evaluates emerging technologies to enhance R&D initiatives
• Mentors junior engineers and cross-functional teams, providing technical leadership, code reviews, and guidance
• Champions best practices in experimentation, rapid prototyping, and documentation to foster continuous improvement
• Leads the integration of hardware and software prototypes into test environments and pilot deployments
• Defines and implement testing protocols to ensure usability, performance, and reliability
• Collaborates with QA and deployment teams to transition concepts from laboratory settings to real-world applications
• Establishes and maintains documentation standards for prototypes, experiments, and system architectures
• Creates reusable tools, frameworks, and libraries to accelerate development and prototyping across teams
• Travel may be required

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Interaction Design, or a related field required
• Typically 10+ years of experience in software development, including at least 5 years in a senior or technical leadership role required
• Proven experience working in design-centric or creative technology environments (e.g., product design, architecture, experience design) required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Advanced – expert-level experience, knowledge or skills

Intermediate – experience, knowledge or skills required to produce high-quality solutions or work

Basic – familiar with primary concepts or capabilities and may perform elementary functions depending on role

• Advanced skills in at least two of the following technologies required: Unity/Unreal, React/WebGL, Node.js, Python, C++, embedded systems, or cloud APIs
• Intermediate knowledge of AEC authoring and management applications, including proficiency with Autodesk tools (Revit, Navisworks Manage, 3ds Max, BIM 360, Forge), Rhino, Grasshopper, and SketchUp, as well as their API interfaces required
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite required
• Intermediate expertise in developing digital interfaces, real-time 3D applications, and/or physical-digital systems required
• Advanced skills with IoT communication protocols such as MQTT, BLE, and Zigbee required
• Advanced skills in integrating AI-driven features into immersive or interactive required (e.g., generative design, real-time data processing, adaptive interfaces)
• Intermediate skills with AEC workflows and processes required
• Advanced strategic thinking and visionary leadership, with the ability to evaluate emerging technologies for business impact and design relevance required
• Advanced ability of successfully leading projects from concept to market launch required
• Advanced ability to synthesize research and business insights into actionable, innovative design and technology solutions required
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholder groups required
• Advanced standards of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information required
• Advanced knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines required
• Advanced presentation, graphic and visualization skills to communicate design ideas required
• Advanced organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time required
• Advanced ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing required
• Intermediate ability to maintain existing client relationships and build new client relationship required
• Intermediate ability to problem solve and apply innovative solutions required
• Intermediate ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment required
• Intermediate ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality required

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran