PLC Software Engineer - Advanced Machine Tools

at Fairmount Technologies in Derby, Kansas, United States

Job Description

We’re looking for a PLC Software Engineer to design and develop the applications that connect operators, machines, and control systems. 

Regulatory Requirements 

• This position requires access to ITAR/EAR-controlled technologies. 
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) and eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws. 
• Relocation to the Wichita / Derby, KS area is required. 

What You’ll Be Working On 

• You’ll work on software that directly interfaces with real machines, including: 
• Designing and implementing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and HMIs for automated machines 
• Developing software that communicates with PLCs and industrial control systems 
• Coordinating closely with Controls and Automation Engineers on system architecture and data flow 
• Writing robust, multi-threaded, production ready software for industrial PCs (IPCs) 
• Debugging, testing, and maintaining software running on deployed machine systems 
• Improving & maintaining critical software performance, reliability, and security over time 
• Supporting hardware and system integration efforts 
• Collaborating on documentation and user support materials 

This role focuses on industrial software tied directly to hardware, not purely abstract application development. 

Why This Role Is Different 

• Small company → high ownership and visibility 
• Software that directly controls and enables physical machines 
• Close collaboration with controls, mechanical, and integration teams 
• Mix of development, debugging, and real-world deployment 
• Opportunity to influence system architecture as products scale 

You’ll see your work go from code → machine → factory floor. 

What We Offer 

• Competitive salary based on experience and scope of role (Typical range: $80,000–$140,000+) 
• Flexible working hours 
• Profit sharing, so you benefit directly from the company’s success 
• Opportunity to earn phantom equity, providing economic upside without the complexity or tax burden of traditional equity ownership 
• Direct access to leadership and technical decision-making 
• A chance to grow with the company as manufacturing scales 

This Role Might Be Right for You If 

• You enjoy building software that interacts with real machines and hardware 
• You’re comfortable with debugging complex systems across software and controls boundaries 
• You like working closely with engineers from multiple disciplines 
• You want your work to matter in a small, growing engineering team 
• You’re excited by industrial automation, machine systems, and applied software 
• You have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or similar (or equivalent experience) and ~5+ years developing software that interfaces with industrial systems or hardware. 

Core Qualifications 

• Strong software-engineering fundamentals. 
• Experience developing production software in C#/.NET or a comparable object-oriented language. 
• Experience with asynchronous or multithreaded programming. 
• Ability to debug and solve problems involving software, communications, controls, and hardware. 
• Ability to work effectively with engineers of different disciplines. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• WPF or another similar desktop UI framework. 
• PLC and industrial-control communication, particularly with Beckhoff/TwinCAT. 
• Traditional SQL/ORM and/or MongoDB database management. 
• Scripting in Python for automation, analysis, and/or machine-learning applications. 
• Industrial networking and hardware integration. 
• CAD and/or 3D visualization technologies. 
• Experience deploying and supporting software on industrial PCs. 

Experience with databases (SQL/ORM), CAD-related software, machine calibration, Python, hardware integration, or industrial networking is a plus — but strong fundamentals, ownership, and problem-solving matters just as much.

While this is not a junior role and we are primarily targeting experienced developers, we welcome candidates ranging from early-career engineers with strong relevant project experience, to seasoned engineers with many years of experience making production software for industrial systems to apply!