Senior Optimization Developer

We are looking for a Senior Optimisation Developer with a strong mathematical background and experience in numerical modelling or mathematically intensive software development. This is a hands-on senior software development technical role within the USC Optimisation team. The team develops advanced optimisation technology that helps refineries improve operational efficiency and supports complex refinery planning.

The position is ideal for someone who can independently investigate complex problems, work effectively in an established codebase, and grow into broader technical leadership over time.

• Contribute directly to the design, implementation, maintenance and improvement of industrial optimisation software and related numerical modelling components.
• Investigate complex mathematical, algorithmic and software engineering problems independently and drive them through to resolution.
• Take ownership of large or technically challenging work items, breaking them down into manageable tasks and making sound implementation decisions with minimal supervision.
• Work effectively within an existing and in some areas legacy codebase, balancing respect for established team practices with thoughtful technical improvement.
• Apply strong mathematical reasoning to modelling, optimisation and algorithmic challenges.
• Support the robustness, performance, quality and maintainability of optimisation code through effective debugging, profiling and diagnosis of build/runtime issues through extensive automated unit and regression testing.
• Demonstrate the potential to lead technical projects or workstreams over time, even where no formal leadership responsibility is assigned initially.
• Provide guidance, coaching and technical support to less experienced developers where appropriate.

Benefits:

• Time off: 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. You can also buy/sell five days a year.
• Emergency leave: Five days a year to use when unexpected or urgent events make it impossible to work.
• Hybrid working: The default option for employees is a 3:2 split between the office and working from home.
• Parental leave: Maternity leave comprises 18 weeks at full pay, followed by 21 weeks statutory pay and 13 weeks unpaid. Paternity leave is two weeks at full pay.
• Pension contributions and benefits are maintained throughout.
• Workplace nursery scheme: Pay for your child’s nursery directly through payroll, saving tax and NI contributions.
• Electric car lease: Use your flexible benefits fund to subsidise the pre-tax leasing of a brand-new electric or ultra-low-emission car.
• Shopping vouchers: Use your flexible benefits fund on discounts and vouchers for many major retail, tech and restaurant chains.
• BUPA private healthcare: BUPA healthcare is a core benefit for employees.
• Anonymous counselling: Through our Modern Health benefit, employees and their dependents over 13 are eligible to use our mental health app and receive unlimited counselling and coaching each year.
• Dental insurance: Use your flexible benefits fund to cover preventative and restorative treatment.
• Cycle to work: Buy a brand-new bike and save 25–40% on retail price thanks to tax savings.
• Gym membership: Use your flexible benefits fund to discount a membership to a major gym chain.
• Bonus: Based on a combination of your own performance and AVEVA’s financial results.
• Pension: Use your flexible benefits fund to increase the standard employer contribution.
• Income protection: Secure a reliable income if you’re unable to work due to long-term sickness or injury.
• Life assurance: In the event of your death, your loved ones will receive a lump sum.
• Charitable giving: The Action for Good program gives you three days of paid volunteering every year, as well as match funding opportunities.
• Professional development: Access to LinkedIn Learning gives you the chance to grow your knowledge and skills.
• Education support: After one year with AVEVA, you can apply for support towards a relevant course or qualification.
• Service recognition: The AVEVAversary program rewards you during milestone years with cash and time off.

The ideal candidate will have both postgraduate/research experience and industry experience; however, candidates with either are encouraged to apply. Programming ability is required, but prior C++ experience is not essential. Experience in linear algebra and/or Lagrangian analysis is highly desirable.

• Theoretical physics
• Applied mathematics
• Computer science with significant numerical or algorithmic depth
• Engineering disciplines with strong mathematical modelling content
• Relevant industrial, research or advanced technical experience

We welcome candidates from a range of mathematically intensive backgrounds with experience in modelling, simulation, or similar analytical fields. Relevant academic or professional backgrounds may include:

• Demonstrated potential to lead projects or technical workstreams, even if formal leadership experience has not yet been required.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and work collaboratively with other developers.
• Proven programming ability in at least one relevant language (e.g. C++, C, C#, Fortran).
• Other computational science.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex and evolving codebase.
• Strong mathematical background, supported by a postgraduate qualification (MSc, PhD, or equivalent experience).
• Experience of numerical modelling or mathematically intensive software development.
• Operations research.
• Experience using and maintaining build and meta-build systems.
• Experience of debugging tools, including debuggers, performance profilers and memory profilers.
• Experience with source control systems and continuous integration/continuous development (i.e. git and Azure DevOps).
• Background in one or both of linear algebra and Lagrangian analysis.
• Critical thinking – evaluates evidence objectively and makes reasoned technical judgements.
• Problem solving – able to break down difficult technical and mathematical problems and develop practical, effective solutions.
• Coaching – supports and uplifts others through knowledge sharing and technical guidance.
• Collaborative relationships – works effectively with colleagues across the team and wider organisation.
• Influencing – able to shape technical direction through credibility, logic and constructive argument rather than authority.
• Conceptual thinking – able to think beyond the immediate task and consider broader architectural, mathematical or maintainability implications.
• Technical leadership potential – shows the capacity to grow into a broader leadership role over time through ownership, judgement and consistency.