Senior Automation Software Engineer

Senior Automation Software Engineer – Rockwell Design

Southampton / Eastleigh Area
Permanent
£58,000 – £63,000 + Excellent Benefits

We are parntered with a globally recognised engineering business delivering high-specification process and production equipment into highly regulated industries. They are now seeking a Senior Automation Software Engineer to join their growing team.

This is a key senior-level appointment for an experienced controls software specialist with strong Rockwell / Allen-Bradley design expertise (software design, not just configuration), combined with Siemens experience, and the capability to lead automation projects across their full lifecycle.

The Opportunity
As a Senior Automation Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in delivering sophisticated control systems for complex process equipment. Working within a small, highly skilled automation team, you will take ownership of projects from initial specification through to commissioning and client handover.

This role requires a technically strong, experienced engineer who can also mentor and guide less experienced colleagues, ensuring best practice software design and project delivery standards are upheld.

Travel (approx. 20%) will be required across the UK and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

Review and define project scope, deliverables and functional requirements
Design and develop PLC, HMI and SCADA software solutions
Produce high-quality documentation including:
Functional Design Specifications (FDS)
Software Design Specifications (SDS)
Test documentation and manuals
Conduct structured software testing (FAT/SAT)
Support on-site commissioning and system qualification activities
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers
Deliver customer training for operators and maintenance teams
Implement system modifications and improvements when required
This role will suit you if you:

Significant experience in control systems software design within process or regulated industries
Strong Rockwell / Allen-Bradley Control Logix PLC software design capability (essential)

Experience with Siemens platforms including:
TIA Portal
Step 7
WinCC / WinCC Flexible
Proven experience delivering automation projects across the full lifecycle
Commissioning and fault-finding experience on industrial equipment
Understanding of structured software testing methodologies
Experience working within quality-driven environments (e.g., ISO 9001)

Desirable Experience

SCADA systems (e.g., iFIX, WinCC)
Knowledge of GAMP, FDA, or other regulated industry standards
Electrical hardware design exposure

Experience with in pharmaceutical or life sciences sectors
HNC/HND (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

Package & Benefits

£58,000 – £63,000 salary
25 days annual leave + bank holidays
Company pension
Death in service
Group income protection
Option for single private healthcare
This is an excellent opportunity to join a stable, well-established engineering organisation delivering technically challenging and meaningful automation projects globally.

If you are a senior automation software engineer with deep Rockwell design expertise and enjoy full lifecycle project ownership, we would be pleased to discuss this opportunity with you