Purpose of the Role
To support and develop a team of software engineers through effective pastoral care, fostering their well-being, engagement, and professional growth, while also contributing directly to the delivery of software solutions for automation and machinery projects. The role helps maintain a positive team environment and provides hands-on software engineering input to achieve high-quality, reliable, and compliant project outcomes.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities
Department Responsibilities:
* Provide pastoral and line management support to software engineers, including appraisals, performance discussions, well-being monitoring, mentoring, and managing holidays and sickness.
* Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing software engineering culture that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and shared problem-solving.
* Support Software/Design Management in developing, maintaining, and enforcing engineering processes, coding standards, documentation frameworks, and best-practice software development methodologies.
* Encourage and participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance software quality, efficiency, and maintainability.
* Ensure adherence to relevant industry standards, coding conventions, safety requirements, and internal quality procedures.
Project Responsibilities:
* Contribute directly to software engineering activities, including PLC/HMI programming and design, motion control, robotics integration, and safety system configuration.
* Support software project due diligence, including requirement analysis, risk identification, functional safety considerations, and validation planning.
* Participate in and support design reviews, ensuring software design, architecture, and documentation meet customer, regulatory, and internal expectations.
* Collaborate closely with Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, Project Management, and Build/Commissioning teams to ensure coordinated delivery of project milestones.
* Support machine commissioning, debugging, FAT/SAT, and customer handover.
* Track and report project progress, risks, and Estimated Time to Completion (ETC) to Project Managers and Software/Design Management.
* Ensure software documentation (e.g., SDS, FDS, test reports, release notes, manuals) is accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
* Escalate project, team, or technical issues to Software/Design Management for timely intervention.
* Maintain awareness of commercial implications of software development, including scope control and efficient resource usage.
Outputs/Deliverables
* Clear, concise, and timely project updates, including progress, ETC, risk assessment, and milestone status.
* High-quality, robust, and maintainable software deliverables that meet specifications, safety standards, and project requirements.
* Accurate and complete software documentation, including design specifications, test documentation, and release materials.
* Consistent adherence to software engineering processes, coding standards, and documentation requirements across the team.
* Demonstrated development and well-being of team members through mentoring, structured feedback, and regular appraisals.
* Active contribution to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance software delivery, quality, and reliability.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
* Proven experience leading or supporting software engineering teams within an industrial automation, machinery, or manufacturing environment.
* Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, including requirement gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and support.
* Demonstrated experience delivering PLC/HMI/motion software for automated equipment or machinery.
* Strong understanding of engineering principles, functional safety fundamentals, and machine safety protocols.
* Experience coordinating software deliverables within multidisciplinary teams (electrical, mechanical, controls, project management).
* Demonstrated ability to enforce engineering processes, coding standards, and documentation quality.
* Strong problem-solving capability and experience managing technical risks.
* Hands-on experience producing or reviewing Software Design Specifications (SDS), Functional Design Specifications (FDS), and testing documentation.
Technical Skills and Qualifications
Essential
* Qualification in Software Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical/Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related technical discipline (Apprenticeship, HNC/HND, Degree).
* Proficiency in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, motion control configuration, and automation software debugging.
* Experience with major PLC/automation platforms (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff).
* Solid understanding of relevant standards such as IEC 61131-3, IEC/ISO safety standards, and CE/UKCA compliance requirements.
* Experience using version control systems and software lifecycle management tools.
* Ability to create and maintain accurate technical documentation for compliance, traceability, troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing.