Digital Manufacturing Engineer

We are building modern, highly customized digital applications on top of the Ignition platform to support complex discrete manufacturing operations at a heavy industrial US defense contractor.
This is a hybrid industrial software engineering role, combining hands-on experience with SCADA and industrial data systems with strong modern software development fundamentals. Candidates should be comfortable working with live plant-floor data through OPC, Kepware, tags, and historians, while also building robust, maintainable web-based applications.
You will use Ignition as the application platform — integrating real-time and historical data and extending Perspective with Python scripting, JavaScript, CSS, SQL, and APIs to create scalable desktop and mobile manufacturing solutions.
This is also a highly field- and customer-facing role. During site visits, you will work independently throughout the customer facility with operators, trades, engineers, supervisors and managers to understand equipment and workflows, determine what data is needed and how to acquire it, and translate those needs into useful solutions. Success requires strong communication, maturity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust across a diverse user community while representing our company professionally.
Hands-on industrial data experience is required, with Ignition, Kepware, and Canary experience preferred. This is not primarily a PLC programming or traditional HMI configuration role; we are looking for engineers who can bridge OT systems, industrial data, modern application development and the people who use those systems.
Key Responsibilities:
Application Development
Design and develop responsive industrial web applications using Ignition Perspective and supporting web technologies
Extend Ignition’s out-of-the-box components using JavaScript, CSS, and Python scripting to meet complex business and operational requirements
Build modular, maintainable application architectures that support long-term scalability and reuse
Data & Systems Integration
Connect equipment and control systems to Ignition using OPC, Kepware, tags, and related industrial technologies
Configure and troubleshoot real-time and historical data collection
Integrate applications with industrial and enterprise systems including:
o SQL databases
o SAP, Sharepoint, Active Directory
o OPC and historian data sources (Kepware, Canary, etc.)
o REST APIs
Design efficient data models and queries optimized for real-time operational use
Manufacturing Collaboration
Work directly in the manufacturing environment with trades, engineers, IT, supervisors, and managers to understand equipment, processes, and operational needs
Determine what machine and process data is required, how it can be acquired, and how it should be presented to support end users
Translate diverse user needs into intuitive applications and visualizations, adapting effectively to different technical backgrounds and communication styles
Build trusted client relationships and represent the engineering team and company professionally
Quality & Reliability
Implement robust error handling, logging, and diagnostics
Ensure solutions meet performance, security, reliability, and compliance requirements
Produce clear technical documentation and solution architecture diagrams
Required Qualifications:
Software Development Strengths
Strong experience with web UI development concepts:
o HTML5
o CSS
o JavaScript
o Responsive design and modern UI patterns
Proficiency in Python scripting for application logic and automation
Solid experience working with SQL databases and relational data models
Experience integrating external systems using REST APIs or web services
Ability to design maintainable, modular software — not just single-purpose screens
Industrial & OT Strengths
Hands-on experience with SCADA/HMI systems and live industrial data
Experience configuring and troubleshooting OPC connections, tags, and historian data
Ability to understand equipment, controls, production workflows, and real-time operational requirements
Experience with Ignition, Kepware, Canary, or comparable technologies strongly preferred
Customer & Manufacturing Aptitude
Comfortable working independently in an active industrial environment to understand equipment, processes, and user needs firsthand
Able to communicate effectively with operators, maintenance trades, engineers, supervisors, and management
Strong judgment, interpersonal maturity, and ability to build trust with users of widely varying technical backgrounds
Able to translate loosely-defined operational problems into practical, intuitive digital solutions
Bonus Experience (Nice to Have)
Deep Ignition Perspective experience
Strong working knowledge of discrete manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, heavy industry)
Working familiarity with SAP integrations
Knowledge of cloud or hybrid architecture (AWS Industrial Solutions Framework)

Work arrangement
Yes