Principal Software Architect

The Principal Software Architect is the senior technical leader responsible for defining and guiding the architecture of the company s dental CAD software and hand-held medical device systems. This role ensures that all software platforms are architected to meet clinical, regulatory, and performance requirements while maintaining scalability, maintainability, and security.

The architect works closely with engineering, product management, clinical experts, and quality teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and compliant products. The position bridges embedded systems and cloud-enabled applications, driving technical excellence across C/C++, C#, and Python environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Architectural Leadership & Strategy

• Define, document, and maintain the end-to-end software architecture for embedded device firmware, desktop CAD applications, and supporting software components.
• Develop and maintain a technology roadmap that supports future product innovation, regulatory compliance, and integration with emerging dental imaging and CAD/CAM technologies.
• Ensure architectural designs adhere to medical device standards (e.g., IEC 62304, ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820) and support design control requirements.
• Champion best practices for software modularity, reusability, and safety-critical design within embedded and application layers.
• Lead system-level design reviews, architecture validations, and technology evaluations across product lines.

Collaboration & Technical Oversight:

• Partner with Product Management, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs to align architecture decisions with business goals and compliance needs.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and firmware engineers to ensure system integration and hardware/software co-design are efficient and reliable.
• Guide development teams in implementing scalable architectures across C/C++ embedded systems, C# desktop applications, and Python scripting tools.
• Drive architectural consistency in communication interfaces, data pipelines, and CAD algorithms across devices and platforms.
• Support cross-functional teams with code reviews, design reviews, and technical mentorship.
• Innovation & Technical Excellence:
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies such as GPU acceleration, AI-assisted design, real-time 3D rendering, and edge computing into the product ecosystem.
• Encourage innovation in digital dentistry workflows, CAD automation, and data interoperability with imaging and milling systems.
• Lead efforts to identify and protect intellectual property through novel designs and patentable innovations.
• Promote the use of modern development tools (Jira, GitHub, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, etc.) to streamline the SDLC and improve traceability.
• Foster adoption of automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous delivery for both embedded and application software.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance:

• Ensure architectural decisions support risk management, cybersecurity, and data integrity requirements.
• Work with Quality and Regulatory teams to provide architecture documentation, traceability matrices, and design artifacts required for regulatory submissions.
• Participate in post-market surveillance and field feedback analysis to guide product improvements.
• Delivery & Mentorship
• Contribute to project planning, estimation, and risk mitigation with Project Management.
• Mentor senior engineers and guide technical career development across the engineering team.
• Promote a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. MS preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in software development, including at least 5 years in a senior or principal architecture role within medical device or regulated software environments.
• Proven experience architecting and delivering embedded systems, desktop applications, and data-driven CAD solutions.
• Familiarity with IEC 62304, ISO 13485, FDA design control processes, and cybersecurity standards for medical devices.

Technical Expertise:

• Expert proficiency in C/C++ for embedded development and performance-critical algorithms.
• Strong experience in C# (.NET/WPF) for UI, business logic, and integration with CAD frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python for automation, scripting, and computational geometry workflows.
• Experience with 3D geometry processing, CAD/CAM data formats, graphics APIs (OpenGL, DirectX), or GPU-accelerated computation is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS), inter-process communication, and hardware/software integration for embedded devices.
• Experience implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines, Git-based workflows, and agile development practices (Jira, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, etc.).
• Familiarity with test automation frameworks, code quality tools, and static analysis for safety-critical systems.

Leadership & Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to both engineering and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technology direction across diverse engineering teams.
• Strong mentoring, leadership, and collaboration skills.
• Creative problem solver with attention to detail and a commitment to quality and safety.
• Passionate about improving dental care through technology innovation.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Salary: $110,000- $130,000 per year ( depends on experience level)

Benefits: Medical Insurance, PTO, 401 (k) and more

About Us
Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a transparent, inclusive, and human-centered hiring experience. For more than 27 years, PTP has operated as a premier Information Technology (IT) staffing, consulting, and recruiting firm—built on trust, long-term partnerships, and technical excellence. Based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, IL, our team of more than 500 employees and consultants is dedicated to helping every client make the best hiring decisions possible. As part of that commitment, we believe in providing clear information about how our hiring technologies work and how your data is used. The following section outlines our AI-assisted interview process and your rights as a candidate. 

AI-Assisted Interview Experience (Pete & Gabi – Rebecca):

To provide a consistent, fair, and flexible experience for all candidates, we use AI-assisted tools—including our proprietary platform Pete & Gabi – Rebecca—to support parts of the interview process. These tools help us:

• transcribe interviews,
• summarize candidate responses,
• generate job-related insights
• streamline communication and scheduling.

Please note that

• AI does NOT make hiring decisions.
• All decisions are made by our human recruiters, hiring managers, or client partners.
• The AI does not evaluate facial expressions, emotions, or physical traits.
• It is used only to support fairness, consistency, and efficiency.

If you prefer a non-AI interview format, we will gladly provide an alternative.

Technical or Case Interviews (Role-Dependent):

For certain positions, you may participate in:

• a technical interview
• a coding challenge
• a case study
• a client-specific assessment.

We will always explain what to expect in advance so you can prepare with confidence.

Human Review & Selection:

Every candidate’s profile—including interviews, conversations, and assessments—is reviewed by experienced recruiters and hiring leaders.

AI insights may assist with organization and evaluation, but final decisions are always human-driven.

Your Rights as a Candidate

At PTP, every candidate has the right to:

• Request a non-AI interview path
• Ask how your data is being used
• Request access to transcripts or interview recordings
• Request deletion of your AI-recorded interview
• Receive clear, timely communication

Our goal is to ensure you feel respected, informed, and supported throughout your experience

Our Commitment:

For more than 27 years, PTP has focused on putting people first—candidates, consultants, employees, and clients.

We’re committed to a hiring process that is:

• transparent
• compliant
• equitable
• powered by innovative technology that enhances—not replaces—human judgment.

Welcome to the future of hiring at Peterson Technology Partners.

We’re excited to learn more about you

Peterson Technology Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.