Lead Drives Control Application Software Engineer

GE Vernova, Inc.; Rugby; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution

Private health insurance

26 days annual leave

Flexible benefits

Hybrid working

Career development

Job summary

GE Vernova's Rugby site seeks a Lead Drives Control Application Software Engineer to own the full development lifecycle for control software across megawatt-scale drive systems serving Marine, Naval, Energy and Industrial customers worldwide.

This senior individual contributor role involves design, implementation, validation with HIL rigs, and on-site commissioning support, with occasional travel and a commitment to applying high engineering standards and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Software Engineering, or related discipline; formal qualification advantageous.
• Solid understanding of electrical machines, drives, and converter topologies (AC/DC, DC/AC, DC-DC).
• Experience writing control application software for VSD systems and machine control for induction, synchronous, and PM machines.
• Ability to translate high-level design requirements into robust software and produce technical docs.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Check clearance.
• Unrestricted right to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Own the software development lifecycle for MW-scale drive systems — specify, design, code, validate, and maintain control software.
• Lead validation and integration with HIL rigs and lab test drives; verify end-to-end functionality.
• Interface with peripheral equipment and collaborate with hardware, systems and commissioning teams.
• Support field commissioning; travel to customer sites a few times per year for a few days up to two weeks.
• Advance engineering practices and ensure compliance with health & safety and international standards.

Skills

Electrical engineering background

Software development

Technical documentation

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/ Electronics/ Software Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

HIL rigs

PLC programming

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 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