PLC Engineering Manager

Ocado
United Kingdom
Last week
Posted
10 Apr 2026 (Last week)

Engineering Manager (EM2) | Peripherals & Mobile Robotics | Hybrid Working | Athens

Introduction:

Ocado Technology is changing the way the world shops using advanced Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Big Data, Cloud and IoT. We develop the innovative software and hardware systems that power Ocado.com, as well as the unique ‘Ocado Smart Platform’ which is being implemented by ambitious retailers across the world from Europe to America, Asia and beyond.

Ocado Technology - Greece (acquisition):https://www.myrmex-inc.com/blog/19

Our R&D department is based in Athens, Greece, where a team of brilliant engineers are developing disruptive material handling systems for the online grocery industry and other retail verticals. We pioneer innovative order fulfilment solutions and last-mile delivery business models tailored for retailers and supply chain-intensive sectors. Our mission is to assist them in overcoming the challenges inherent in modernising their systems and processes to effectively address complex industry issues. Some of the most innovative retailers globally have already partnered with us, and we are delivering products and services for them.

If you are excited about the cross-section where machines meet humans, about the future of work, retail and supply chains, and want to help transform the European logistics industry via Greek technologies, we are interested in getting to know you.

About the Role

As an Engineering Manager in our Athens-based Peripherals & Mobile Robotics team, you will lead a dedicated group of PLC software controls engineers developing pioneering OSP Automation products. You will be instrumental in building this new team from the ground up, balancing technical delivery with people management to foster an environment of continuous improvement and technical excellence.

Acting as a vital bridge between technical execution and strategic goals, you will define control architectures and oversee the maintenance of performant, scalable solutions. From facilitating design reviews to managing resource allocation and recruitment, your leadership will drive the velocity and quality of engineering work that powers our global retail partners.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage a team of PLC software controls engineers, overseeing their professional development and daily operations.
  • Monitor team velocity and quality of work, providing resource estimates and managing constraints for upcoming projects.
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to define and develop PLC control solutions and architectures.
  • Drive the recruitment process to scale the engineering team and department in Athens.
  • Participate in design reviews and leadership meetings to define development strategy and architectural decisions.
  • Allocate resources and manage delivery timelines and priorities for new and existing projects.
  • Ensure all code and development processes adhere to security best practices and company standards.
  • Organise prototyping, testing schedules, and factory acceptance tests in collaboration with external teams.
  • Maintain a deep understanding of existing equipment functionality to prioritise upgrades and feature improvements.
  • Facilitate technical decision-making and problem-solving to help the team create robust engineering solutions.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

  • A degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical subject.
  • In-depth programming ability and understanding of underpinning techniques in PLC controls.
  • Proven experience leading and working effectively within a team of software developers.
  • Demonstrable ability to develop, test, commission, and troubleshoot integrated control solutions in Material Handling.
  • Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with various engineering disciplines.

Nice to Haves

  • Knowledge of and experience with TIA Siemens or Beckhoff TwinCAT PLC architectures.
  • Experience with functional safety for industrial machines.
  • A track record of launching products to a production environment at scale.

Benefits

Our employee benefits are designed for you. We care about people and we've ensured we have a wealth of benefits that focus on your well-being. We regularly review our benefits to ensure we are supporting our employees appropriately. Currently, we offer technically stretching work, a competitive salary and:

  • A hybrid working policy that sees you in the office typically 40% of your time.
  • 30 days 'working from anywhere' policy
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Meal tickets
  • Home office equipment
  • Opportunity to participate in share schemes
  • Regular divisional socials, sports clubs and access to the Ocado Technology Academy for a packed schedule of courses, conferences and events.

If you think you have what it takes to make a difference, please submit your application below.

Be bold, be unique, be brilliant, be you. We are looking for individuality and we value diversity. We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly and equally. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and supportive work environment. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.

#LI-HYBRID

#LI-OT

#LI-JT1

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Controls Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Controls Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Senior PLC Safety Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Senior PLC Software Controls Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

DevOps Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Where to Advertise Machine Learning Jobs in the UK (2026 Guide)

Advertising machine learning jobs in the UK requires a different approach to most technical hiring. The candidate pool is small, highly specialised and in demand across AI labs, financial services, healthcare, autonomous systems and consumer technology simultaneously. Machine learning engineers and researchers move between roles through professional networks, conference communities and specialist platforms — not general job boards where ML roles compete with unrelated software engineering positions for the same audience. This guide, published by MachineLearningJobs.co.uk, covers where to advertise machine learning roles in the UK in 2026, how the main platforms compare, what employers should expect to pay, and what the data says about hiring across different role types.

New Machine Learning Employers to Watch in 2026: UK and Global Companies Driving ML Innovation

Machine learning (ML) has transitioned from a specialised field into a core business capability. In 2026, organisations across healthcare, finance, robotics, autonomous systems, natural language processing, and analytics are expanding their machine learning teams to build scalable intelligent products and services. For professionals exploring opportunities on www.MachineLearningJobs.co.uk , understanding the companies that are scaling, winning investment, or securing high‑impact contracts is crucial. This article highlights the new and high‑growth machine learning employers to watch in 2026, focusing on UK innovators, international firms with significant UK presence, and global platforms investing in machine learning talent locally.

How Many Machine Learning Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Machine Learning Job?

Machine learning is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing areas of tech. But for job seekers it can also feel like a maze of tools, frameworks and platforms. One job advert wants TensorFlow and Keras. Another mentions PyTorch, scikit-learn and Spark. A third lists Mlflow, Docker, Kubernetes and more. With so many names out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you must learn everything just to be competitive. Here’s the honest truth most machine learning hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool. They hire you because you can solve real problems with the tools you know. Tools are important — no doubt — but context, judgement and outcomes matter far more. So how many machine learning tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the real number is far smaller than you think — and more logically grouped. This guide breaks down exactly what employers expect, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to structure your learning for real career results.