Head of R&D Department

Purpose / Mission: 

• Lead a growing agile team of Software Engineers developing controllers (PLCs) for Industrial automation.
• Define Bulgaria Electric Automation Controls department strategy in line with the corporate and business unit strategy.
• Closely cooperates with key stakeholders to ensure new product implementation deadlines are met with reliable design solutions.
• Drive innovation topics linked to AI, Digital Twin and factory digitalization.
• Take ownership of projects and strategically attracting projects to Sofia.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Defines and implements the development strategy of the Electric Automation Controls department. 
• Improves the overall organization of the department according to the product and technology roadmap of business unit.
• Grows the department by recruiting and onboarding engineers according to the hiring strategy.
• Delivers products under the responsibility of his department according to the defined requirements, cost, schedule and quality targets and company processes.
• Investigates, develops and implements new design possibilities and technological processes in relation to the optimization of products in production.
• Improves existing products and processes in terms of design, quality, automation possibilities and cost.  
• Sets individual annual goals, development plans, trainings and has an annual evaluation call.
• Assures proper collaboration of the two Controls engineering locations in Sofia and Gabrovo and maintains close cooperation with development hubs and central departments in Germany, Austria and India.
• Drive innovation and innovative products related to AI and Digital Twins. 

Education and qualifications: 

• University degree in the area of Computer Science or comparable education.
• Fluent English (C1 level).
• Experience with agile methodologies will be considered a plus. 
• German knowledge will be considered a plus.

Professional knowledge and experience: 

• Min 5 years’ experience of leading and developing multinational engineering teams.
• Proven technical background in software development of embedded products (realtime-Linux, ARM, industrial Ethernet fieldbuses).
• Technical knowledge in industrial automation (or other domains with heterogenous customer base) will be considered a plus.
• Strong project management experience.
• Strong system engineering experience.
• Experience in development projects with security and/or safety requirements will be considered a plus. 

In case your professional qualification corresponds to the above requirements and you wish to join our growing team, please send us your CV and a cover letter.​

Reference code: 13925

IPE Level: F4-I 

Country: Bulgaria (BG) 

City: Sofia, Festo Production - TEC 

Company: Festo Production EOOD 

Hiring Manager: Ivanka Ivanova

Department: PF-OCDC - Development of Controllers, PF-OCDC

HR contact person: Aleksandar Antonov Angelov, +359(2)4631-352