Senior Software Engineer, Manufacturing Systems

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, implementation, deployment, and sustainment of manufacturing test software systems supporting assembly, integration, calibration, and final system validation in production.
• Architect scalable software frameworks for automated production test fixtures, diagnostics, telemetry collection, and hardware validation workflows.
• Own software configuration management, deployment pipelines, version control, and release processes for manufacturing and production environments.
• Develop robust automation tools and scripts using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar technologies to streamline production operations and reduce operator error.
• Design and maintain Linux-based manufacturing systems including user management, permissions, networking, package management, and system hardening.
• Partner with electrical, firmware, and mechanical engineering teams to integrate software with embedded systems, sensors, robotics hardware, and test instrumentation.
• Drive root-cause analysis investigations related to manufacturing defects, test failures, production escapes, and system reliability issues.
• Establish software validation methodologies to ensure production systems meet product requirements, configuration control, quality standards, and operational readiness criteria.
• Improve manufacturing throughput, test coverage, traceability, and process repeatability through automation and data-driven decision making.
• Develop tools and infrastructure for data collection, serialization, logging, and transport across manufacturing and test systems to track 'as built' FW/SW configuration.
• Mentor junior engineers and manufacturing personnel on software best practices, debugging methodologies, and test system operation.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing software strategy, tooling standardization, and production scalability initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, supply chain, field operations, and product engineering teams to improve system reliability and operational efficiency.
• Support deployment, troubleshooting, training, and sustainment activities across manufacturing and operational environments as needed, leveraging Admin/IT support.
• Partner with product engineering teams to improve design-for-manufacturability throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in software engineering, manufacturing automation, robotics, embedded systems, or production test environments, including technical leadership of complex systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and at least one additional scripting or systems language such as Bash, PowerShell, or C/C++.
• Experience designing scalable automated manufacturing test systems, reusable hardware test frameworks, and hardware-in-the-loop validation infrastructure.
• Deep expertise in Linux-based systems administration, deployment automation, networking, security, system services, and package management in production engineering or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with software configuration management, source control, CI/CD practices, and release management workflows.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces and communication protocols such as UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB, I2C, SPI, or serial communications.
• Strong understanding of robotics, drones, electromechanical systems, embedded hardware, or autonomous systems.
• Experience troubleshooting integrated hardware/software systems in fast-paced production environments.
• Proficiency with data serialization and transport technologies such as JSON, Protobuf, REST interfaces, or similar frameworks.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Excellent analytical, debugging, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and drive projects and teams with minimal oversight.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, SQLite, TimescaleDB, InfluxDB, or similar data storage systems used for manufacturing traceability and analytics.
• Experience building production telemetry, yield analysis, and traceability systems that support manufacturing decision making.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Preferred

• Experience developing production or engineering tools using Qt Framework or Python Qt bindings (PyQt/PySide).
• Experience with automated test equipment, instrumentation, hardware validation systems.
• Familiarity supporting manufacturing execution systems (MES), ERP integrations, or production traceability systems in HV production.
• Experience supporting products operating under quality management systems in robotics, automotive, or other regulated industries in medium to high-volume production.
• Familiarity with containerization, virtualization, or infrastructure automation technologies to optimize resources, application deployments and updates.
• Experience with PLCs and industrial communication control systems protocols (i.e.: OPC UA, SCADA).
• Candidates with experience in sUAV, robotics development, and/or hobby drones.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 25 pounds.
• Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment as well as standard machine shop equipment.
• Must be physically capable of the assigned duties.

Work Environment

• This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment.
• This role requires use of standard office and manufacturing equipment and may require occasional travel to customer locations or facilities.
• This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments.
• May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment.

This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities. Standard works hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.

Benefits

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• On-site gy m at Huntsville, AL & Denver, CO locations.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.