Software Engineering Team Lead

Purpose of the Role

To support and develop a team of software engineers through effective pastoral care, fostering their well-being, engagement, and professional growth, while also contributing directly to the delivery of software solutions for automation and machinery projects. The role helps maintain a positive team environment and provides hands-on software engineering input to achieve high-quality, reliable, and compliant project outcomes.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Department Responsibilities:

• Provide pastoral and line management support to software engineers, including appraisals, performance discussions, well-being monitoring, mentoring, and managing holidays and sickness.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing software engineering culture that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and shared problem-solving.
• Support Software/Design Management in developing, maintaining, and enforcing engineering processes, coding standards, documentation frameworks, and best-practice software development methodologies.
• Encourage and participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance software quality, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Ensure adherence to relevant industry standards, coding conventions, safety requirements, and internal quality procedures.

Project Responsibilities:

• Contribute directly to software engineering activities, including PLC/HMI programming and design, motion control, robotics integration, and safety system configuration.
• Support software project due diligence, including requirement analysis, risk identification, functional safety considerations, and validation planning.
• Participate in and support design reviews, ensuring software design, architecture, and documentation meet customer, regulatory, and internal expectations.
• Collaborate closely with Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, Project Management, and Build/Commissioning teams to ensure coordinated delivery of project milestones.
• Support machine commissioning, debugging, FAT/SAT, and customer handover.
• Track and report project progress, risks, and Estimated Time to Completion (ETC) to Project Managers and Software/Design Management.
• Ensure software documentation (e.g., SDS, FDS, test reports, release notes, manuals) is accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
• Escalate project, team, or technical issues to Software/Design Management for timely intervention.
• Maintain awareness of commercial implications of software development, including scope control and efficient resource usage.

Outputs/Deliverables

• Clear, concise, and timely project updates, including progress, ETC, risk assessment, and milestone status.
• High-quality, robust, and maintainable software deliverables that meet specifications, safety standards, and project requirements.
• Accurate and complete software documentation, including design specifications, test documentation, and release materials.
• Consistent adherence to software engineering processes, coding standards, and documentation requirements across the team.
• Demonstrated development and well-being of team members through mentoring, structured feedback, and regular appraisals.
• Active contribution to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance software delivery, quality, and reliability.

Mpac Core Values

1. Integrity
2. Drive
3. Collaboration
4. Expertise
5. Innovation

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience leading or supporting software engineering teams within an industrial automation, machinery, or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, including requirement gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and support.
• Demonstrated experience delivering PLC/HMI/motion software for automated equipment or machinery.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, functional safety fundamentals, and machine safety protocols.
• Experience coordinating software deliverables within multidisciplinary teams (electrical, mechanical, controls, project management).
• Demonstrated ability to enforce engineering processes, coding standards, and documentation quality.
• Strong problem-solving capability and experience managing technical risks.
• Hands-on experience producing or reviewing Software Design Specifications (SDS), Functional Design Specifications (FDS), and testing documentation.

Desirable

• Experience implementing or contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to Agile or hybrid project management methods in an engineering or automation context.
• Experience working on bespoke or special-purpose automation equipment.
• Experience working across global or multi-site teams.
• Familiarity with cost estimation, resource planning, or budget awareness for software development work.
• Experience with system risk assessments, FMEA, structured testing, or safety validation activities.

Technical Skills and Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification in Software Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical/Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related technical discipline (Apprenticeship, HNC/HND, Degree).
• Proficiency in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, motion control configuration, and automation software debugging.
• Experience with major PLC/automation platforms (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff).
• Solid understanding of relevant standards such as IEC 61131-3, IEC/ISO safety standards, and CE/UKCA compliance requirements.
• Experience using version control systems and software lifecycle management tools.
• Ability to create and maintain accurate technical documentation for compliance, traceability, troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing.

Desirable

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar field.
• Chartered Engineer status or working toward registration (e.g., IET, BCS).
• Experience with advanced software engineering or simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, digital twins, etc.).
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT systems, data integration, or smart manufacturing concepts.
• Experience with SCADA, database-driven systems, OPC UA, or networked automation architectures.
• Experience with Jira, Azure DevOps, or equivalent tools for task management, planning, and documentation.
• Ability to configure or administer Jira/Confluence for agile workflows, sprint planning, and collaboration.
• Project management certifications (PRINCE2, PMP) or leadership development training.

Relationship and Reporting Line

• Reports to: Controls Manager
• Working relationships with: Engineering, Project Management, Operations, Commissioning