Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer

Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of innovative emulation models for automated baggage handling systems.
  • Company: Join Wise Technical, a leader in cutting-edge simulation technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the aviation industry with your technical expertise.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in emulation model development and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

DescriptionWise Technical is seeking an experienced Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer to lead the design, architecture and delivery of emulation models supporting the development, testing and commissioning of automated baggage handling systems (BHS). This is a senior, hands-on technical leadership role responsible for setting the standards, structure and quality of our simulation and emulation development, while directly architecting and building large-scale emulation models from scratch using Emulate3D. The successful candidate will own the technical delivery of emulation models across the project lifecycle — from concept and control system validation, through to virtual commissioning and PLC software testing — ensuring emulation models accurately represent the mechanical, controls and operational behaviour of baggage handling systems.

They will provide technical leadership to the wider simulation and emulation function, working closely with the LLC Product Manager on day-to-day technical direction and reporting into the LLC Solutions Senior Manager for line management matters.

Key Responsibilities
  • Technical Leadership & Architecture
    • Lead the architecture and design of large-scale emulation models for baggage handling systems, built from the ground up in Emulate3D.
    • Define modelling standards, structure, naming conventions and best practice for the simulation and emulation function, and ensure consistent application across projects.
    • Provide technical direction and mentorship to simulation/emulation engineers, reviewing models for accuracy, performance and maintainability.
    • Act as the senior technical point of contact for simulation and emulation matters, working closely with the LLC Product Manager to align model development with product and project priorities.
  • Emulation & Model Development
    • Design and build 3D emulation models of conveyor systems, sortation equipment, diverters, screening machines and associated material handling equipment using Emulate3D.
    • Develop accurate kinematic and behavioural logic for equipment models, replicating real-world mechanical operation, sensor behaviour and fault conditions.
    • Build and configure Emulate3D control system connections (e.g. PLC I/O mapping, OPC, Emulate3D Controls Interface) to enable virtual commissioning against real PLC code.
    • Develop bag-flow and induction logic within emulation models to represent bag tracking, singulation, sortation and screening behaviour for system-level testing.
    • Support virtual commissioning of PLC applications by validating control logic against emulation models prior to site deployment.
    • Develop and maintain reusable model libraries and component templates to improve efficiency and consistency across projects.
    • Configure and run throughput and performance simulations to support system design validation and capacity planning.
  • Project & Delivery Management
    • Produce and maintain model design documentation, including model scope, assumptions, data sources and validation records.
    • Plan and lead model-based testing activities, including software FAT support and control system validation against emulation models.
    • Work with project engineering, PLC development and mechanical design teams to ensure emulation models reflect the latest system design.
    • Identify technical risks and modelling constraints early, working with the LLC Product Manager and Senior Manager to mitigate delivery risk.
  • Team & Stakeholder Management
    • Line-manage and/or technically lead junior and mid-level simulation/emulation engineers, supporting their development and performance.
    • Liaise with PLC development, mechanical, electrical and project engineering teams to ensure coordinated system delivery.
    • Represent Wise Technical in technical discussions with clients, integrators and equipment suppliers regarding simulation and virtual commissioning scope.
Requirements
  • Proven track record architecting and developing large-scale emulation models from scratch (not just modifying existing model libraries).
  • Strong hands-on experience with Emulate3D, including 3D model building, kinematics, control logic and controls interfacing.
  • Experience building emulation models for conveyor-based material handling or baggage handling systems.
  • Experience connecting emulation models to real-world PLC control systems for virtual commissioning and software testing purposes.
  • Solid understanding of industrial control systems and PLC logic, sufficient to interpret and validate control behaviour within an emulation environment.
  • Understanding of industrial networking and communications protocols relevant to controls interfacing (e.g. OPC, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, TCP/IP).
  • Experience producing model documentation, including scope, assumptions and validation evidence.
  • Degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related discipline (or equivalent demonstrable industry experience).
  • Ability and willingness to be based at Wise Technical's LHR offices a minimum of 4 days per week.
  • Right to work in the UK and eligibility to obtain UK airside/airport security clearance.
Desirable Experience & Skills
  • Prior experience within the airport baggage handling industry, working with systems from vendors such as BEUMER, Vanderlande, Siemens Logistics, Babcock Airports or similar.
  • Experience with hold baggage screening (HBS) system modelling and associated regulatory/operational constraints.
  • Working knowledge of PLC development (e.g. Siemens S7/TIA Portal, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley) to support closer collaboration with the PLC development team.
  • Experience with Demo3D scripting in C# or other Emulate3D scripting/automation tools to accelerate model build and configuration.
  • Experience with discrete event simulation and throughput/capacity analysis for material handling systems.
  • Familiarity with version control and structured lifecycle management for simulation/emulation project files.
  • Previous experience in a technical leadership, principal engineer, or team lead capacity.

Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer employer: Wise Technical

At Wise Technical, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment where technical excellence is celebrated. As a Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer based in our LHR offices, you will benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional growth, offering mentorship opportunities and the chance to lead cutting-edge projects in automated baggage handling systems. Our commitment to employee development, coupled with the dynamic nature of our industry, ensures that your contributions will have a meaningful impact while you advance your career in a thriving sector.

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Contact Details:

Wise Technical Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer

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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Simulation and Emulation Development Engineer

Emulate3D
3D Model Building
Kinematics
Control Logic
Controls Interfacing
PLC Control Systems
Industrial Control Systems

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!

Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Wise Technical and its goals.

Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!

How to prepare for a job interview at Wise Technical

Master Your Technical Knowledge

In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.

Showcase Your Projects

Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Wise Technical.

Understand Industry Trends

Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Wise Technical, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.

Commit to Continuous Learning

As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.