Software Engineer; Smart Factory

Position: Software Engineer (Smart Factory) 73265
Job Summary
:
ZF LIFETEC is a leader in automotive safety innovation, dedicated to saving lives through advanced technology. They are seeking a Software Engineer (Smart Factory) to develop and enhance software and AI solutions that improve manufacturing efficiencies and support production processes. The role involves software development, data analytics, and collaboration with various teams to implement digitalization initiatives and optimize workflows.

Responsibilities
:

• Software Development (Microsoft Stack)

• Design, develop, and maintain manufacturing applications using C#, .NET, Visual Studio, and SQL (MySQL and/or Oracle).

• Build APIs, services, and data pipelines that support real‑time production visibility and decision‑making.

• Integrate software with PLCs, sensors, test equipment, and MES/ERP systems.

• Develop solutions for traceability, cell/line control, work order dispatch, data acquisition, and production scheduling.

• Implement digitalization initiatives including dashboards, automated reporting, and machine‑data integration.

• Support production teams by troubleshooting system issues and improving system reliability.

• Analyze manufacturing workflows and identify opportunities for automation or software‑driven optimization.

• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations to define system requirements and deploy solutions.

• Document system architecture, configurations, and standard work.

• Participate in Production IT Security related activities.

• Participate in on-call schedule of the group to support operations outside of normal office working hours.

Qualifications
:
Required
:

• U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident Status Required.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline required.

• 0 to 8+ years of professional experience.

• In-depth understanding of software systems in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficient use of PC, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Self-directed, self-motivated, strong accountability, enthusiastic learner with attention to details.

• Strong communication skills with internal and external project stakeholders.

• Ability to communicate technical details both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to work across a multi-cultural environment and global distributed projects.

• Strong analytical skills for root cause analysis.

• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours occasionally for collaboration with colleagues in different time zones and to support local manufacturing.

• Commitment and desire to learn manufacturing processes with the goal of becoming a go-to resource for technical solutions.

• Primarily office-based with regular time spent on the production floor to support and validate systems.

• Must be comfortable working around automated equipment and interacting with cross functional teams.

• Software Development (Microsoft Stack)

• Design, develop, and maintain manufacturing applications using C#, .NET, Visual Studio, and SQL (MySQL and/or Oracle).

• Build APIs, services, and data pipelines that support real‑time production visibility and decision‑making.

• Integrate software with PLCs, sensors, test equipment, and MES/ERP systems.

• Develop solutions for traceability, cell/line control, work order dispatch, data acquisition, and production scheduling.

• Implement digitalization initiatives including dashboards, automated reporting, and machine‑data integration.

• Support production teams by troubleshooting system issues and improving system reliability.

• Analyze manufacturing workflows and identify opportunities for automation or software‑driven optimization.

• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations to define system requirements and deploy solutions.

• Document system architecture, configurations, and standard work.

• Participate in Production IT Security related activities.

• Participate in on-call schedule of the group to support operations outside of normal office working hours.

Preferred
:

• 2 to 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficiency in C#, .NET, SQL and Visual Studio.

• Experience with MES, SCADA, or factory-floor data systems.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and continuous improvement.

Company
:
ZF LIFETEC employs around 36,000 people at a total of 51 locations in 22 countries in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Founded in , the company is headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Baden-Württemberg, DE, , with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.