At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop software for advanced airport security and automation systems.
- Company: Join a leading engineering team in the high-growth automation sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, international travel, and long-term career development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Work on cutting-edge technology that impacts global airport operations.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in industrial software engineering and expertise with Siemens PLC platforms.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Software Design Engineer to join a specialist engineering team delivering advanced automated material handling and aviation security systems used in airports worldwide. This role focuses on the design, development, integration, testing, and commissioning of software solutions that control high-throughput conveyor, robotics, and automated screening systems. You will work across the full project lifecycle, from concept and software architecture through to deployment, commissioning, and ongoing support.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain software solutions for automated material handling and conveyor systems.
- Develop control software using Siemens TIA Portal and S7 PLC platforms.
- Create and maintain software architecture, functional specifications, and system documentation.
- Integrate software with robotics, HMI, SCADA, vision, and third-party control systems.
- Configure industrial networks, managed switches, VLANs, redundancy protocols, and cybersecurity measures.
- Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities.
- Diagnose and resolve software and system issues in live operational environments.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, controls, and project engineering teams throughout project delivery.
- Provide technical support to field engineers and customers during installation and deployment.
- Maintain version control, change management processes, and software documentation.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and development of engineering standards.
Essential Requirements
- Must be based in Cheshire.
- Strong experience developing software for industrial automation or material handling systems.
- Proven expertise with Siemens PLC platforms, including TIA Portal and S7 controllers.
- Experience designing and implementing control software architectures.
- Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills in operational environments.
- Understanding of industrial communications and networking technologies.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, system architecture drawings, and functional design specifications.
- Experience integrating robotics and automated systems.
- Willingness to travel internationally for commissioning and customer support activities.
- Experience working within high-throughput automated environments such as logistics, airports, warehousing, manufacturing, or aerospace.
Experience & Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years' experience in industrial software engineering, automation, controls, or related disciplines.
- Experience delivering automation projects within aerospace, automotive, logistics, airport, or industrial automation sectors.
- HND/HNC in Automation, Controls Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline (essential).
- Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar (desirable).
- Strong experience with Siemens software development tools and automation platforms.
- Knowledge of industrial protocols such as Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, or OPC UA is advantageous.
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge airport security and automation systems deployed globally.
- Involvement throughout the complete software development lifecycle.
- International project exposure and travel opportunities.
- Long-term career development within a specialist high-growth engineering sector.
- Competitive salary package with a clear route to permanent employment.
- Collaborative environment working with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Important Note: To be considered for this role please either hit the 'Apply' button on this site or email your CV directly. You must be eligible to live and work within the UK. Sponsorship is not provided. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Software Design Engineer in Southampton employer: ATA Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking engineering team in Cheshire, where innovation meets collaboration. As a Software Design Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge airport security and automation systems, with a clear path for career development and international project exposure. Enjoy a competitive salary and a supportive work culture that values your expertise and fosters continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Design Engineer in Southampton
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at ATA Recruitment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to ATA Recruitment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like ATA Recruitment.
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Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like ATA Recruitment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Design Engineer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at ATA Recruitment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at ATA Recruitment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at ATA Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If ATA Recruitment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
