Lead Automation Software Engineer

Renishaw; Wotton-under-Edge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Renishaw's Encoder Products Division seeks a Lead Automation Software Engineer to provide technical leadership for automation, control and production software systems, with a strong focus on LabVIEW Real-Time and FPGA.

The role combines hands-on engineering with governance, team leadership and cross-functional delivery to ensure safe, secure and maintainable solutions aligned with manufacturing requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading automation software projects from requirements through commissioning and support.
• Strong background in industrial automation and production software.
• Proven ability to guide architecture and code reviews across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, testing and deployment of automation software for production systems.
• Translate needs into clear technical requirements and delivery plans.
• Own software architecture across desktop, real-time, and industrial interfaces.
• Integrate instruments, sensors, motion systems, PLCs, databases and third-party equipment.
• Establish engineering standards for source control, build automation, CI/CD, release management.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Requirements analysis

System architecture

Education

Degree in engineering or related field

Tools

LabVIEW Real-Time

FPGA

Azure DevOps

CI/CD

SQL Server

Mitsubishi PLCs

Job description

Renishaw’s Encoder Products Division (EPD) designs and supplies cutting-edge position feedback technology to the world’s precision measurement, automation, and manufacturing industries. It is highly likely that something you own contains a part or device that was manufactured with the help of one of Renishaw’s encoder products.

EPD is made up of engineers, scientists and technicians all working together to produce market leading products for sale around the world. We start with cutting edge optical, algorithm and circuit design, developing our own ASICs and sensors where required; we then use innovative mechanical engineering to turn our core technology into a range of desirable products for our broad customer base.

Working closely with colleagues in our manufacturing division, we develop manufacturing and assembly processes and software to deliver quality products by the hundreds of thousands that in turn, perform reliably and repeatedly to sub-micron accuracies for our customers.

The Lead Automation Software Engineer provides technical leadership for the design, development, integration and lifecycle support of automation, control, and production software systems with a strong focus on systems using LabVIEW Real-Time and FPGA.

The role combines hands-on engineering with technical governance, team leadership and cross-functional delivery, ensuring solutions are safe, secure, maintainable, and aligned with product and manufacturing requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, test and deployment of automation software for production systems
• Translate product, process and stakeholder needs into clear, testable technical requirements and delivery plans
• Own software architecture and technical decisions across desktop applications, real-time systems, industrial communications and equipment interfaces
• Integrate instruments, sensors, motion systems, PLCs, databases and third-party equipment using suitable industrial and serial protocols
• Establish and maintain engineering standards for source control, code review, build automation, CI/CD, release management and configuration control
• Plan and coordinate verification, validation, commissioning, investigations and production handover activities
• Provide clear technical documentation, operating guidance and knowledge transfer for engineering, production and support teams

Leadership

• Provide day-to-day direction, prioritisation and technical support to engineers working across multiple activities
• Set clear objectives and address blockers early
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, support development plans and create opportunities for engineers to broaden their capability
• Contribute to the technical direction for LabVIEW applications and lead architecture, design and code reviews across the team

Key requirements

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering, mathematics, physics or related technical discipline
• Substantial experience delivering industrial automation or production software from requirements through commissioning and support
• Experience with LabVIEW and specifically LabVIEW Real-Time & FPGA
• Strong practical software engineering skills and experience of modular, testable and maintainable design
• Experience integrating software with physical equipment, instrumentation or industrial communications.
• Evidence of technical leadership, mentoring and effective cross-functional decision-making
• Clear written and verbal communication, including requirements, specifications, plans and technical reports
• Ability to work effectively from loosely defined requirements, applying a strong understanding of the product and associated processes
• Ability to communicate effectively across multidisciplinary teams, including production operators and mechanical, electronics, product design and software engineers
• Ability to apply process capability and Six Sigma concepts
• Experience with additional technologies such as C#, SQL, Mitsubishi PLCs and AI-enabled engineering workflows
• Knowledge of motion control, machine vision, data acquisition, SQL Server and common industrial protocols
• Experience with Azure DevOps (or equivalent), CI/CD pipelines and formal release processes
• Understanding of secure software development and applicable equipment compliance