At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and deploy software for robotics and vision systems in the food industry.
- Company: Join OAL, a leader in innovative tech solutions for UK food manufacturers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £50k, travel opportunities, and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring quality in food production with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in software development; degree in Computer Science or related field.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a mix of coding, travel, and hands-on problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £50k per annum (Subject to Experience)
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
The software you build this month might prevent a product recall. Next month it might run a robotic cell. OAL's software engineers work across compliance, vision, robotics and traceability systems for UK food manufacturers. One project might be a label verification system for a major retailer. The next might be software for a robotic palletising cell, a vision inspection system catching defects on apples, or a traceability platform tracking every ingredient for your favourite loaf of bread from intake to dispatch.
You develop them at OAL's Peterborough base, deploy them at customer sites and support them once they are running. This is not a pure desk role. You will write code, but you will also travel to factories to commission what you have built, support field engineers remotely, and pick up customer support tickets to SLA targets. Expect a mix of development, deployment and support throughout the year.
Your skills probably already fit:
- Databases: MSSQL, SQL Server
- Industrial awareness: familiarity with PLCs (Rockwell or Beckhoff), machine vision systems, or robotic system integration
- Ways of working: Agile methodologies, version control, structured documentation
You do not need all of these, and you do not need food manufacturing experience. If you are strong in some areas and willing to learn the rest, that works. What matters is clean code and taking responsibility for what you deliver.
What we expect, and what you get:
- You own the quality of what you deliver. The work is structured: defined processes, technical reviews, proper version control.
- You will travel to customer sites for deployments.
- Support is part of the role, and you need to be comfortable switching between planned development and reactive tickets.
In return: software running on real production lines, a broad technical stack spanning SCADA, databases, PLC integration, machine vision and robotics, variety across customers and sites, and progression based on what you deliver.
What we are looking for:
- At least 3 years of experience in software development
- Degree in Computer Science, IT or a related field
- Full UK driving licence and willing to travel to customer sites across the UK
Field Software Engineer - Robotics, Vision & PLC Systems in Peterborough employer: OAL
Contact Detail:
OAL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Field Software Engineer - Robotics, Vision & PLC Systems in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups or webinars, and connect with current employees at OAL. You never know who might give you a heads-up about an opportunity or even refer you directly!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects, especially those related to robotics or software development, make sure to highlight them during interviews. Real-world examples can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for hands-on assessments! Since this role involves deploying software in real environments, be prepared to demonstrate your problem-solving skills on the spot. Brush up on your coding and troubleshooting abilities before the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at OAL. Don’t miss out on that chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Field Software Engineer - Robotics, Vision & PLC Systems in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Robotics and Software: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for robotics and software shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our projects, like robotic palletising or vision inspection systems. Make it personal and relatable!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t just list your skills; show us how you've used them in real-world scenarios. If you've worked with PLCs, machine vision, or databases, share specific examples. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our team right away.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for clean code in your application as well!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at OAL!
How to prepare for a job interview at OAL
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of databases like MSSQL and SQL Server, as well as PLCs and machine vision systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects, and don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of your work.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Since the role involves switching between development and support, prepare to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Think of scenarios where you had to troubleshoot issues or adapt your code on the fly, and be ready to explain your thought process during those times.
✨Emphasise Your Teamwork and Communication
This job isn’t just about coding; it’s about working with others and communicating effectively. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve collaborated with field engineers or other teams in the past, and how you handle customer interactions, especially when things don’t go as planned.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Agile Methodologies
Familiarity with Agile is a big plus for this role. Brush up on Agile principles and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied them in your previous work. Share examples of how structured documentation and version control have helped you deliver quality software.