Lead Drives Control Application Software Engineer

GE Vernova; Rugby; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Pension contributions

Private health insurance

26 days holiday

Hybrid working

Job summary

GE Vernova's Rugby site is seeking a Lead Drives Control Application Software Engineer to own the full development lifecycle for MW-scale drive control software across Marine, Naval, Energy, and Industrial sectors.

The role is a senior individual contributor with on-site to hybrid arrangements, requiring travel for commissioning support and a strong background in industrial drive control systems.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of electrical machines, drives, and converter topologies.
• Proven experience writing control software for VSD systems and machine control.
• Eligibility for UK Security Check clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the full development lifecycle for drive control software.
• Lead hardware-in-the-loop validation and integration.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and commissioning engineers.
• Support on-site commissioning at customer sites.
• Develop engineering standards and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Control software

VSD systems

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PLC software

Job description

Job Description Summary

GE’s Power Conversion business, part of GE Vernova, provides electrification systems that are critical to customers’ power and energy needs for their high-performance applications. We work with some of the world’s major energy, maritime and industrial organizations, helping to enable a transition to energy efficiency and decarbonization, including through our specialist motors, power electronics systems, electrical drives and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future. We serve specialized sectors such as energy, marine, industry and all related services.

Job Description

The Opportunity

Software that controls megawatt-scale electric drives doesn't just run in the background — it determines whether a naval vessel manoeuvres safely, whether an industrial process runs efficiently, and whether an energy system performs when it matters most. As Lead Drives Control Application Software Engineer at GE Vernova's Rugby site, you will take ownership of the full development lifecycle for control application software across a portfolio of electric drive systems serving Marine, Naval, Energy, and Industrial customers worldwide.

This is a senior individual contributor role with real technical scope — from specification and design through to commissioning support on site.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the software development lifecycle — specify, design, code, validate, and maintain control application software for MW (megawatt)-scale power electronic drive systems, ensuring all designs meet performance, reliability, and international standards requirements.
• Lead validation and integration activity — validate application software using HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) rigs and laboratory test drives; integrate control software into larger systems and verify end-to-end functionality.
• Interface and collaborate across disciplines — write application software that interfaces with peripheral equipment, and work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware, systems, and commissioning engineers.
• Support commissioning in the field — travel to customer sites to support equipment commissioning and validation, typically a few times per year for durations of a few days up to two weeks.
• Advance engineering practice — apply and develop best engineering standards and design practices, ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety regulations and international standards throughout your work.

About You

You are an experienced software engineer with a strong background in industrial drive control systems and a track record of delivering robust, well-documented control application software for complex power electronic systems.

Required

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline — a formal qualification is advantageous, but we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements in an industrial software engineering environment.
• Solid understanding of electrical machines, electrical drives, and converter system topologies, including AC/DC (Alternating Current/Direct Current), DC/AC, and DC-to-DC converter systems.
• Proven experience writing control application software for VSD (Variable Speed Drive) systems — including current source drives and voltage source drives — and machine control for induction, synchronous, and permanent magnet machines.
• Ability to translate high-level design requirements into efficient, robust software and produce clear technical documentation.
• Eligibility to obtain UK SC (Security Check) clearance.
• Unrestricted right to travel domestically and internationally.

Preferred

• Experience writing PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) application software.
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent modelling and simulation tools.
• Hands-on experience using HIL rigs for software testing and validation.

Why GE Vernova

GE Vernova employees rise to the challenge of building a world that works. At our Rugby site, you will work on technically demanding drive system projects with real-world impact — supported by a team that values rigour, continuous learning, and doing the work properly.

We provide varied, competitive benefits designed to reward high performers and support your personal and family needs. Our offering includes:

• Employer pension contribution (not subject to individual contribution)
• Private health insurance, income protection, and life assurance
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible benefits so you can build a package that fits your personal needs
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — we're happy to discuss what works for you
• Ongoing investment in professional development and career progression within a global organisation

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes