Advisory Software Engineer

POSITION PROFILE 

Technical professional who is part of a team that designs the next generation print technology solutions on a complex Commercial Print inkjet product line, with a focus on research and development. This position requires the ability to architect comprehensive solutions utilizing numerous imaging and system inputs with a focus on efficient code and collaborating with a larger team of software developers.   

This role requires significant experience applying software engineering skills to solve problems associated with complex, high-performance products.  The Ricoh teams develops the next generation of commercial print inkjet technology. The Digital Front End (DFE) built with print controller software is at the heart of every press developed by a global engineering organization. The DFE (printer controller) is where customer jobs become machine‑ready instructions.   

 The candidate must have broad-based R&D product development skills with a strong emphasis on coding.  The DFE (printer controller) manages submission, raster image processor, color, screening, calibration, and integration with prepress and customer workflows. The Advisory Software Engineer will be part of a software engineering team that develops solutions based on Linux-based software running on multiple hardware platforms, for the control unit of Commercial Print Inkjet printers.   

We actively promote the use of modern AI tools—particularly Claude AI—as force multipliers for code analysis, comprehension, refactoring, and risk assessment, with a strong emphasis on understanding existing systems rather than indiscriminate code generation. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Performs advanced software engineering activities related to the development of a product or solution. Solutions are high performance with attention to concurrency and constrained resource utilization.  

• Analyze complex legacy codebases using tools such as Claude AI to:  

• Understand intent and data flow 

• Identify risks and performance bottlenecks 

• Support safe refactoring and incremental modernization 

• Determines and examines alternative designs. Recommends and implements complex solutions. 

• Works on software development projects, with limited guidance. Sometimes coordinates the activities of team members.  

• Work with Quality Assurance and Field Engineering teams to identify and fix issues. 

• Contributes to project planning in an agile team. 

• Recommends solutions to problems/issues that impact the team. 

• Accountable for completion of technical objectives on schedule and within cost, quality and design specifications.  

• Understands and follows existing software development processes. 

• Positively and actively supports changing business needs. 

• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, and Certifications) 

• Requires a MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other related field of study or equivalent work experience. 

• Strong foundation in software engineering fundamentals including object-oriented design, concurrency, and core data structures. 

• Has expert knowledge (5+ years) in software engineering development, system architecture, design, and integration; typically acquired via significant professional experience with projects which span traditional organizational boundaries.  

• High level proficiency (5+ years) with programing languages such as C++, Rust, Python, and proficiency with Git, CI/CD, and automated testing processes. 

• High proficiency using AI/ML technologies such as Claude.   

• Preferred: Working knowledge of SQL, relational database, Java, JavaScript, Cloud (AWS), Python and ReactJS 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Expert knowledge of complex software and HW products, development practices, theories, and the environment in which product is used. 

• Experience working on a large, complex, performance-oriented system. 

• Linux inter-process communication: message passing/queues, process synchronization, shared memory 

• Experience using contemporary AI/ML technologies (e.g., data‑driven modeling, intelligent automation, and predictive techniques) to improve system performance, reliability, and software development lifecycle efficiency. 

• Applies established software design patterns, code review practices, and static analysis techniques to ensure code quality and maintainability. 

• Flexible and self-motivated with strong analytic skills. 

• Values shared success and knowledge sharing. Ability to redirect efforts of their team and change focus in response to changing business needs. 

• Demonstrates technical leadership and recognized as an expert for significant product development projects. 

• Uses professional concepts, in-depth evaluation of variable factors, and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative ways 

• Guides other individuals and teams in application of leading-edge software development projects. 

• Advanced negotiation and communication skills are required to interact with and influence peers, executive management, other functions, vendors, and subcontractors to reach common agreements. 

• Communicates effectively with the ability to naturally explain difficult technical topics across the company, with customers, and/or the technical community worldwide. 

• Position requires a high degree of analytical ability and creativity in understanding and interpreting program objectives and market requirements. 

• Positively contributes to a high morale/high-performance team culture, leading by example. 

WORKING CONDITIONS, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

This job description contains the key concepts, responsibilities, and tasks associated with each position. It is also a partial list of essential functions. Essential functions are duties that are fundamental or intrinsic to the position. 

Accordingly, managers should understand the essential functions that make up each job. The following are requirements that apply to all positions: 

• Cope with stressors and demands that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable and defined levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained. (While all jobs involve dealing with stressors, the particular stressors may vary job to job). 

• Work in areas which adhere to state and federal regulatory standards, or where no such standards exist, to nationally accepted guidelines; i.e., dust, fumes, physical and chemical agents. 

Adaptable and flexible to work environment including, but not limited to, out of town travel as required to meet business commitments and working overtime, as business needs may require, handling multiple tasks concurrently, and easily adapting to new assignments, system, tools; produce clear, concise, accurate written communication, clearly conveying thoughts and ideas to peers, management, and customers; establish and maintain positive work relationships with peers, management, and customers, displaying willingness to understand diverse points of view; learn and apply new equipment and tools within an acceptable timeframe; and assume ownership of assignments, completing commitments on time. (While all of these continuing responsibilities apply to all jobs in the company, the specific ways in which they apply may vary job to job).