Software Engineer

The Judge Group; Hammond (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

The Judge Group is seeking a Manufacturing Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain manufacturing and operational software for steel mills, docks, and furnace operations across North America. This role emphasizes real-time, high-availability software interfaces with PLC/process data systems.

Join a small engineering team in Northwest Indiana, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, with opportunities to work closely with operations staff to improve workflows,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related discipline; equivalent experience will also be considered
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage projects in a production-oriented environment
• Comfortable working in industrial and manufacturing environments
• Ability to troubleshoot live production systems under operational conditions
• Practical engineering mindset with strong attention to reliability and performance

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain manufacturing and operational software systems
• Support software applications used in scrap yards, docks, scale systems, and furnace operations
• Work directly with operations personnel, supervisors, crane operators, and mill staff to understand operational requirements and improve workflows
• Troubleshoot software, communication, and hardware-related issues in industrial environments
• Develop and maintain database-driven applications and reporting systems
• Interface with PLC/process data systems and industrial communications
• Participate in system design, implementation, testing, and production support
• Support high-availability production systems where operational uptime is critical
• Assist with software deployment, upgrades, and system maintenance activities
• Participate in occasional after-hours support for critical production-impact issues
• Collaborate with other engineers while maintaining ownership of assigned systems and projects

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / related field

Tools

Delphi

Object Pascal

C++

C#

SQL Server

MySQL

Oracle

REST APIs

OPC

Windows / Windows Server

Android / iOS

Python

ML/AI

Job description

Manufacturing Systems Software Engineer - U.S Citizen OR Green Card Holder

Join a small engineering team developing and supporting high-availability software systems used in steel mills, scrap yards, docks, and furnace operations throughout North America. Our team operates from our offices in Northwest Indiana approximately 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois. Close proximity or relocation to this area is a requirement.

Our company is the largest mill service provider in the Americas and is currently celebrating 100 years in the metals industry. Our engineering group develops operational software systems that directly support steel manufacturing and mill services operations in demanding industrial environments where reliability, responsiveness, and uptime are critical.

This is not a traditional IT role. Our software systems support real-time steel manufacturing operations and require high availability, responsiveness, and operational reliability.

We are seeking both entry-level and experienced software engineers who are practical problem solvers, self-directed, and interested in developing systems that interact directly with industrial operations and production personnel.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain manufacturing and operational software systems
• Support software applications used in scrap yards, docks, scale systems, and furnace operations
• Work directly with operations personnel, supervisors, crane operators, and mill staff to understand operational requirements and improve workflows
• Troubleshoot software, communication, and hardware-related issues in industrial environments
• Develop and maintain database-driven applications and reporting systems
• Interface with PLC/process data systems and industrial communications
• Participate in system design, implementation, testing, and production support
• Support high-availability production systems where operational uptime is critical
• Assist with software deployment, upgrades, and system maintenance activities
• Participate in occasional after-hours support for critical production-impact issues
• Collaborate with other engineers while maintaining ownership of assigned systems and projects

Technologies and Environments

• Delphi / Object Pascal
• C++ / C#
• SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle
• REST APIs
• OPC
• Serial and TCP/IP communications
• Windows and Windows Server environments
• Android and iOS applications
• Python
• Machine Learning / AI applications related to scrap recognition and process optimization

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related discipline; equivalent experience will also be considered
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage projects in a production-oriented environment
• Comfortable working in industrial and manufacturing environments
• Ability to troubleshoot live production systems under operational conditions
• Practical engineering mindset with strong attention to reliability and performance

What Makes This Role Different

• Small engineering team with significant individual ownership and responsibility
• Direct involvement with real-world manufacturing operations
• Exposure to industrial automation, process optimization, and operational systems
• Opportunity to work on systems with immediate operational impact
• Stable, long-term industry environment with continued growth and expansion
• Opportunities to expand into ML/AI and advanced optimization technologies

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance