Software Engineering Manager

Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

Job Purpose

This role supports KE Automation's Engineering team by leading PLC and SCADA engineering personnel and coordinating software engineering project delivery. You'll be responsible for developing technical talent, managing engineering resources, establishing consistent standards, and ensuring high-quality software implementation across industrial automation and data center controls projects. Success in this role means building a capable, well-supported engineering team that delivers reliable, tested, and maintainable control systems while upholding KE's commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who enjoys developing people, improving processes, and driving results in a fast-moving environment, this position is built for you.

What You'll Do

You'll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

- Lead and develop PLC and SCADA engineers and technical leads through coaching, performance feedback, and professional development. - Plan and coordinate engineering resources across projects, balancing workload, technical expertise, and project priorities. - Organize software engineering deliverables into clear work packages with defined responsibilities, timelines, and acceptance criteria. - Ensure PLC and SCADA designs align with approved customer requirements, equipment interfaces, and project specifications. - Establish and maintain engineering standards for code structure, application libraries, naming conventions, version control, peer reviews, and software releases. - Coordinate PLC, SCADA, hardware, and network integration to ensure complete and reliable system functionality. - Oversee software verification and testing, including simulation, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and regression testing. - Support commissioning readiness, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and coordinate engineering resources to resolve project challenges. - Ensure software changes and releases follow established approval, testing, backup, and documentation processes. - Coordinate data center controls requirements with engineering leadership and technical teams to ensure consistent implementation. - Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, reduce rework, and strengthen team capabilities through training, technical development, and lessons learned. - Collaborate with project managers and engineering leadership to communicate resource needs, technical risks, project dependencies, and delivery expectations.

What You Bring

You're someone who shows up ready to work hard, develop others, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

- 10+ years of experience in PLC, SCADA, or controls software engineering, including at least 3 years of experience managing engineering personnel, performance, and development. - Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience. - Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and coordinating resources across multiple concurrent projects or major workstreams. - Strong technical understanding of PLC and SCADA systems, industrial automation, control sequences, interlocks, operator interfaces, and system communications. - Experience managing software engineering deliverables from requirements and design through implementation, testing, and commissioning. - Knowledge of configuration management, version control, peer review, controlled software releases, and testing documentation. - Ability to estimate engineering effort, manage project dependencies, allocate resources, and communicate delivery risks. - Proven leadership, coaching, and performance management skills, with the ability to develop technical leads and build a strong engineering team. - Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and manage competing priorities. - Ability to make sound technical and operational decisions while maintaining project quality and customer expectations.

Pay Range

We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.

Pay Range: $152,262 – $168,055 annually.

Total Rewards Statement

As a full-time employee at KE, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future.

- 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees - HSA contributions to support your medical expenses - Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage - 401(k) with competitive company match - Paid weekly with competitive wages - PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement - Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage

We believe your work should be rewarded with more than just a paycheck. At KE, we invest in your total wellbeing.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Typical requirements may include:

- Perform computer-based work for extended periods, including reviewing project plans, schedules, reports, and technical documentation. - Participate in meetings and site reviews that may involve periods of sitting, standing, and walking. - Navigate manufacturing facilities and customer project sites, including stairs and uneven surfaces, as required. - Occasionally carry a laptop, project documents, and other materials needed for meetings or site visits. - Use required personal protective equipment when visiting manufacturing or project-site locations.

Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources at HR@KEway.com.

If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we'll work with you.