Lead Software Engineer - PLC

Ir Olav's Globetrotters B.V; Netherlands; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Visa and tax ruling assistance

Dutch language lessons

Company laptop

Indefinite contract

Mentoring and coaching

Company events

Pension plan

Job summary

Ir Olav’s Globetrotters B.V is seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer PLC to guide a small engineering team while remaining hands-on on complex automation projects. You will drive software engineering, testing, commissioning and optimisation of complete production lines, with substantial travel to customer sites.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, PLC programming, and collaboration across mechanical, electrical and robotics teams in an international environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic/Mechatronics or related field.
• 5–10 years in PLC software engineering or industrial automation.
• Experience with Siemens PLC systems and TIA Portal.
• Experience leading engineers or automation projects.
• Experience with complex machinery and production lines.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
• Good command of English.
• Willingness to travel within the Netherlands and internationally.
• Ability to own projects from programming through commissioning.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead PLC software engineering activities for complex industrial projects and production lines.
• Program, configure and optimize PLC-controlled systems.
• Take technical responsibility from software development to commissioning.
• Lead and support a team of 3–4 engineers on larger projects.
• Develop reliable PLC software using modular programming.
• Test PLC programs and automated systems in the workshop.
• Commission and start up machinery and production lines at customer sites.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex software and automation issues.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, robotics and project teams.
• Communicate with customers during testing, installation and commissioning.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Customer communication

English proficiency

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Mechatronics

Tools

Siemens PLC

TIA Portal

Robot control systems

TCP/IP

Job description

Are you an experienced PLC Software Engineer ready to take the next step into a technical leadership role? Do you enjoy working on complex industrial automation projects, programming complete production lines and guiding other engineers?

Our client is an innovative Dutch engineering and automation company specialising in the automation of production processes. They develop complete automated solutions combining PLC control, robotics, mechanical systems and advanced production technology for customers across a variety of industries.

They are looking for an experienced Lead Software Engineer PLC to join their engineering team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced PLC engineer who still enjoys being hands‑on technically but is ready to take greater responsibility for projects and lead a small engineering team.

About the Role

As Lead Software Engineer PLC, you will be responsible for the software engineering, programming, testing, commissioning and optimisation of complex automated production systems and complete production lines.

You will manage the software side of projects from start to finish and, depending on the size of the project, provide technical leadership to approximately three to four team members.

This remains a strongly hands‑on engineering position. Approximately 75% of your time will be focused on programming, with the remainder spent on testing, commissioning and bringing systems into operation.

International travel forms part of the position. Over the course of a year, you can expect to spend approximately two to three months travelling, generally in periods of around two weeks at a time.

Respoonsibilites will include:

• Lead the PLC software engineering activities for complex industrial automation projects and complete production lines
• Program, configure and optimise PLC‑controlled systems
• Take technical responsibility for projects from software development through to final commissioning
• Lead and support approximately three to four engineers on larger projects
• Develop reliable and efficient PLC software using modular programming principles
• Test PLC programs and automated systems in the workshop
• Commission and start up machinery and production lines at customer sites
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex software and automation issues
• Optimise existing control systems and production processes
• Work with drives, control systems, mechanical equipment, pneumatics and electrical systems
• Integrate PLC‑controlled equipment within wider industrial automation environments
• Work with industrial networks and TCP/IP communication
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, robotics and project engineering teams
• Communicate directly with customers during testing, installation and commissioning
• Support team members with technical decisions and problem solving
• Ensure systems operate reliably and according to customer requirements
• Travel to customer locations in the Netherlands and internationally when required
• Work flexibly during critical testing, commissioning and start‑up phases

Our client is an established Dutch engineering and automation company specialising in the automation and optimisation of production processes.

The organisation has grown into a multidisciplinary engineering company with approximately 200 employees across several locations in the Netherlands.

Their expertise combines robotics, food production technology, horticultural automation and end‑of‑line solutions, allowing them to develop everything from individual automated systems to complete production lines.

The company delivers solutions to customers around the world and is known for tackling technically challenging projects where standard solutions are not always available.

Their culture is practical, innovative and collaborative. Teams take ownership of their commitments, work together to solve difficult technical challenges and are given the freedom to develop and implement their own ideas.

Function criteria

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent technical qualification in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation or a related discipline
• Approximately 5–10 years' relevant experience within PLC software engineering or industrial automation
• Experience with Siemens PLC systems and TIA Portal is highly advantageous
• Experience leading engineers, technical teams or automation projects
• Experience working on complex machinery, automated production systems or complete production lines
• PLC control systems
• Drives and motion systems
• Electrical control systems
• Mechanical systems
• TCP/IP
• Experience with robot control systems will be advantageous
• Strong understanding of production and machine automation
• Experience with testing, commissioning and start‑up of automated equipment
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities
• Comfortable working directly with customers
• Able to take technical ownership of projects from programming through to commissioning
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Good command of English
• Willingness to travel within the Netherlands and internationally
• Flexibility regarding working hours during testing and commissioning phases
• Candidates from machine builders, industrial automation companies, system integrators and production‑line engineering environments will be particularly well suited to this position

Job offer

• Relocation package.
• Step‑by‑step assistance with your relocation processes and covered virtual sessions with our relocation experts.
• Visa application and 30% tax ruling application done by Ir Olav’s Globetrotters on your behalf.
• Great South African community waiting for you in the Netherlands.
• Market related salary.
• Dutch Government authorized pension plan activated once you arrive in the Netherlands.
• One on one Dutch lessons up until company requirement where your partner can join lessons for free.
• Company laptop.
• Commitment for indefinite contract with our client.
• Mentoring and coaching until you go over to the payroll of our client.
• Great on and offline events to meet your fellow Globetrotters and learn about the Netherlands, hosted by Ir Olav's Globetrotters.
• Pleasant working atmosphere, where you can be and stay yourself.