Controls Software Manager

Software Engineering Manager

We are working with an established and growing industrial automation and special purpose machinery business that is strengthening its engineering leadership team with the appointment of a Software Engineering Manager.

The Opportunity

This is a key management position within the engineering function, reporting directly to the Managing Director. The successful candidate will lead a team of industrial control software engineers while remaining hands‑on with software development and project delivery.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced PLC Software Engineer, Controls Engineer or Software Engineering Manager who enjoys combining technical leadership with hands‑on engineering.

The Role

You will take responsibility for managing a team of control software Project Engineers who work as part of multidisciplinary project teams, delivering automation and control software solutions for bespoke machinery and industrial systems.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading, managing and developing a team of industrial control software engineers.
• Reviewing workload, project progress and team performance, working closely with the wider management team to ensure resources are aligned with business requirements.
• Allocating engineering resources across projects and supporting recruitment and team development.
• Providing technical guidance and helping engineers resolve complex software and controls challenges.
• Developing and maintaining software engineering standards, procedures and best practices.
• Driving greater standardisation and consistency across software development, creating reusable approaches that improve portability, reduce development times and minimise reliance on individual engineers.
• Ensuring agreed software standards and methodologies are consistently adopted across the team.
• Working closely with Sales, Operations and other engineering disciplines on technical policy, planning and project requirements.
• Taking responsibility for selected projects as Project Manager, from initial planning through to delivery.
• Remaining hands‑on and actively programming software for new automation projects alongside your management responsibilities.

Technical Environment

The company's control systems are predominantly PLC-based, with Mitsubishi being the preferred platform. Experience with Siemens and/or Omron would also be highly relevant.

The business also works with:

• Mitsubishi PLCs
• Siemens PLCs
• Omron PLCs
• Industrial PC-based control systems
• Beckhoff I/O and EtherCAT
• Borland Delphi
• Java

Experience across multiple PLC platforms would be advantageous, particularly within special purpose machinery, industrial automation or bespoke machine‑building environments.

About You

We are looking for an experienced controls/software engineer who is ready to take the next step into engineering management, or an established Software/Controls Engineering Manager who still enjoys being hands‑on.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience developing industrial control software.
• Extensive PLC programming experience, ideally Mitsubishi, Siemens and/or Omron.
• Experience working on bespoke machinery, automation systems or special purpose machines.
• The ability to lead, mentor and develop a technical engineering team.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• A structured approach to software development, standards and documentation.
• The ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A genuine interest in remaining technically hands‑on alongside your management responsibilities.

If you're an experienced PLC/Controls Engineer looking for a move into management, or a Software Engineering Manager who wants to retain a hands‑on element to your role, we'd be interested in speaking with you.

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