Software Design Engineer

Elev8 Recruitment Ltd; Dublin; On-site; EUR 54,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Elev8 Recruitment Ltd is partnering with an established automation business in Dublin to hire a Software Design Engineer. This role owns controls software for complex automation projects, from initial design through software development, testing and commissioning.

You will collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to select hardware, ensure safety systems, and deliver complete solutions exciting across controls, robotics, and machine integration.

Qualifications

• Strong PLC and HMI programming experience.
• Hands-on Rockwell / Allen-Bradley experience.
• Experience with robotics and 6-axis robot systems.
• Good knowledge of motion control and servo systems.
• Experience integrating third-party equipment.
• Electrical, pneumatic and mechanical understanding.
• Ability to read electrical and pneumatic schematics.
• Strong fault-finding and commissioning experience.
• A relevant engineering qualification or equivalent recognised experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLC and HMI software for bespoke automated machinery.
• Work primarily with Rockwell Automation.
• Program and integrate motion-control and robotic systems.
• Work with 6-axis robots and third-party equipment.
• Develop control architectures and support hardware selection.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical design engineers.
• Troubleshoot software, electrical and machine-level issues.
• Support FAT, SAT, handover and commissioning.
• Produce technical and software documentation.
• Develop reusable code and standards to improve future projects and reduce commissioning time.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Robotics

Motion control

System integration

Electrical schematics

Pneumatic understanding

Commissioning

Education

Engineering qualification or equivalent

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Mitsubishi

B&R

Codesys

Job description

Software Design Engineer

Dublin | Up to €90,000 | Permanent

Tired of automation roles where you spend more time maintaining old systems than actually engineering something new?

This is an opportunity to get properly involved in designing and developing bespoke automated machinery, working across controls software, robotics, motion and machine integration.

You’ll join an established automation engineering business delivering complex equipment into medical, healthcare and life-sciences manufacturing. The work is project-led, technically varied and takes you from initial design through software development, testing and commissioning.

If you enjoy being hands-on with the complete machine rather than working in one narrow part of the controls process, this is worth a conversation.

The Role

As a Software Design Engineer, you’ll take ownership of controls software for complex automation projects.

You’ll work closely with electrical and mechanical engineers to develop complete solutions, including hardware selection, safety systems, communications and software architecture.

This isn’t just modifying existing PLC code. You’ll be involved in developing solutions from the ground up and seeing them through to a working machine.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Developing and testing PLC and HMI software for bespoke automated machinery


• Working primarily with Rockwell Automation


• Programming and integrating motion-control and robotic systems


• Working with 6-axis robots and third-party automated equipment


• Developing control architectures and supporting hardware selection


• Working alongside electrical and mechanical design engineers


• Troubleshooting software, electrical and machine-level issues


• Supporting FAT, SAT, handover and commissioning


• Producing technical and software documentation


• Developing reusable code and standards to improve future projects and reduce commissioning time

What They’re Looking For

You’ll already have a strong background in industrial automation or machine building and be comfortable taking responsibility for more than just the PLC.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Strong PLC and HMI programming experience


• Hands-on Rockwell / Allen-Bradley experience


• Experience with robotics and 6-axis robot systems


• Good knowledge of motion control and servo systems


• Experience integrating third-party equipment


• Electrical, pneumatic and mechanical understanding


• Ability to read electrical and pneumatic schematics


• Strong fault-finding and commissioning experience


• A relevant engineering qualification or equivalent recognised experience

Experience with Siemens, Mitsubishi, B&R or Codesys would be advantageous.

Why This Role?

You’ll be working on new, bespoke automation projects, not simply maintaining the same production equipment.

It’s a chance to stay technically hands‑on while getting involved across the full project lifecycle, from initial controls design through to the point where the machine is commissioned and running.

You’ll work across Rockwell controls, robotics, motion, machine integration and commissioning, giving you genuine variety from one project to the next.