Software Development & Test Engineer, BAU Patching MV/ML in Manchester

CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share-and-reuse business model, the world’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact.

This role is critical to ensuring the ongoing stability, security, and performance of CHEP’s globally deployed Machine Vision (MV) and Machine Learning (ML) Inspection Applications that support operational processes across CHEP. The role is essential to maintaining and supporting existing operational systems through effective troubleshooting, software validation, defect investigation, and implementation of software modifications where required.

Key Responsibilities May Include:

• Provide continuous maintenance and troubleshooting support to service centers to ensure sustained automated vision inspection system performance.
• Support vision inspection system quality performance and capability improvement programs.
• Monitor and support automated inspection system performance, consistency and predictability.
• Support automated machine vision and learning system integration for new development projects.
• Work with wider teams to improve regional operations performance to achieve shared targets.
• Work with wider teams to deploy and sustain defined best practices and continuous lessons learned.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Execute testing, validation, simulation, and troubleshooting activities for existing MV/ML Inspection Applications to ensure stable and reliable operation.
• Implement and maintain testing and simulation procedures to assess the impact of new cybersecurity patches, security tools, and BAU system updates.
• Develop and implement software modifications to existing applications to ensure compliance with CHEP IT Security standards and operational requirements.
• Design, develop, and support automation tools that improve testing efficiency, reduce manual effort, and enhance system validation processes.
• Create and maintain tools and procedures that facilitate the automated deployment of MV/ML applications, cybersecurity patches, and supporting technologies.
• Generate and maintain formal documentation, including test procedures, simulation methodologies, automated tools, deployment processes, system performance reports, and data collection activities.
• Gather and analyse data from service centres and operational environments to support testing, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Plant Infrastructure, IT Security, and other technical teams to coordinate cybersecurity patch implementation and application updates.
• Partner with Global Sort & Inspection Development, Machine Learning, and Plant of the Future teams to support software testing activities and system performance KPI measurements.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Experience in software testing within a production or operational support environment.
• Manual and automation testing experience.
• C++ programming knowledge.
• Python programming knowledge.
• Automation scripting and preferably Visual Studio experience.
• Experience troubleshooting software applications and investigating system issues.
• Ability to develop or modify software applications using appropriate programming languages and tools.
• Understanding of cybersecurity patching, software maintenance, and application lifecycle management.
• Experience producing technical documentation and test artefacts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Machine Vision, Machine Learning, or industrial inspection systems.
• Experience working with cybersecurity compliance requirements and security-focused software validation.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, automated deployment tools, and infrastructure-related testing processes.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working & Flexible Working Hours
• Annual Bonus
• Meal Vouchers
• Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Access to Flexible Compensation Plan
• Contributory Pension Scheme (Voluntary)
• Generous Share Scheme (Voluntary)
• 25 Business Days of Annual Holidays
• Well HUB
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 3 days for Volunteering

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing his or her potential.