Senior automation Software Architect & Development Manager

Smiths-Interconnect; Genova; On-site; EUR 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Molex, a Koch company and a global leader in connectors and interconnect components, is seeking a Senior Automation Software Architect & Development Manager. You will lead software architecture and development for high-precision, high-mix/low-volume automation systems, combining hands-on technical work with leadership, coaching and standardisation across control, supervision and industrial data solutions.

In this role you will define scalable architectures, coach software and electrical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic, Software or Automation Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 to 20 years of experience in industrial automation, including technical leadership or management of a small engineering team.
• Demonstrated experience defining architectures and standardising software frameworks across multiple machine types.
• In-depth knowledge of IEC 61131-3 programming and commissioning for PLC/HMI systems, plus robotics and industrial communications.
• Availability to travel across Europe and globally.

Responsibilities

• Define, standardise and deploy scalable software architectures, programming methods and engineering best practices across automation projects.
• Lead, coach and support software developers and electrical designers, establishing development paths aligned with individual skills and experience.
• Own the control-software scope from machine concept and design through testing, validation and final commissioning.
• Design and program PLC, HMI, robot/cobot, vision, intelligent-sensor and motion-control solutions for custom automation equipment.
• Develop PC-based supervision and field-data retrieval solutions, including interfaces to SQL and MES platforms.
• Guide technical decisions, design reviews, software validation and troubleshooting, acting as the senior escalation point for complex issues.
• Promote reusable frameworks and common solutions across different machine types and European/global sites.
• Collaborate with mechanical, manufacturing, process, quality and project teams to balance performance, robustness, cost and delivery timing.

Skills

Industrial automation

Architectures & standardisation

Leadership

IEC 61131-3

Robotics & vision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electronic, Software or Automation Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Job description

Senior automation Software Architect & Development Manager

Lead the software architecture and development capability for high-precision, high-mix/low-volume automation systems. This role combines hands-on technical contribution with leadership, coaching and standardisation across control, supervision and industrial data solutions.

Our Team

The Automation Centre of Excellence develops custom machines by combining mechanical, electrical, controls and software engineering. You will coordinate and develop software and electrical engineers while partnering with the wider ACoE team from concept and cost evaluation through commissioning.

What You Will Do

• Define, standardise and deploy scalable software architectures, programming methods and engineering best practices across automation projects.
• Lead, coach and support software developers and electrical designers, establishing development paths aligned with individual skills and experience.
• Own the control-software scope from machine concept and design through testing, validation and final commissioning.
• Design and program PLC, HMI, robot/cobot, vision, intelligent-sensor and motion-control solutions for custom automation equipment.
• Develop PC-based supervision and field-data retrieval solutions, including interfaces to SQL and MES platforms.
• Guide technical decisions, design reviews, software validation and troubleshooting, acting as the senior escalation point for complex issues.
• Promote reusable frameworks and common solutions across different machine types and European/global sites.
• Collaborate with mechanical, manufacturing, process, quality and project teams to balance performance, robustness, cost and delivery timing.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic, Software or Automation Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 to 20 years of experience in industrial automation, including technical leadership or management of a small engineering team.
• Demonstrated experience defining architectures and standardising software frameworks across multiple machine types.
• In-depth knowledge of IEC 61131-3 programming and commissioning for PLC/HMI systems, plus robotics and industrial communications.
• Availability to travel across Europe and globally.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience with Mitsubishi PLC/HMI platforms, Mitsubishi or IAI robots/cobots, and Cognex or Keyence vision systems.
• Knowledge of PC supervision, Python, SQL, MES, Ethernet, Modbus, CC-Link and Profinet.
• Experience with motion control, automated test programming such as LabVIEW, GMP environments or digital-twin methods.
• Strong organisational, analytical, communication and presentation skills, with a curious, practical and open-minded approach.
• Experience delivering special-automation projects from conception through design, test and commissioning, including Industry 4.0 initiatives.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location.

Starting from 70.000 annual gross salary (Euro)

Who We Are

Molex

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.