Senior PLC Safety Engineer

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

Senior PLC Safety Software Engineer | PLC Controls | Hybrid | 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

Based in our Athens development centre, you will drive the development of Siemens and Beckhoff functional safety architectures for our Peripheral & Mobile Robotics department. Working within a collaborative team, you will ensure complex automated machinery meets international safety standards while maintaining peak operational performance.

Your role spans the project lifecycle, from designing safety-critical logic to supporting global commissioning. You will create robust safety functions for complex sub-systems, ensuring our material handling technologies remain compliant and reliable.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and program safety-related PLC control systems using Siemens TIA Portal and Beckhoff TwinCAT.
  • Develop safety PLC logic in accordance with functional safety standards including IEC 61508, ISO 13849, and IEC 62061.
  • Create, verify, and validate safety functions such as light curtains, guard interlocks, and emergency stops.
  • Conduct and review risk assessments and hazard analyses to ensure compliance with the Machinery Directive.
  • Document and maintain Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS) and comprehensive validation test plans.
  • Support factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) for new safety systems worldwide.
  • Troubleshoot and optimise control and safety logic during the commissioning phase.
  • Support the integration of safety systems with SCADA, HMI, and other automation platforms.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical and mechanical engineers, to ensure cohesive system design.
  • Prepare detailed technical documentation, including safety block diagrams and architectures.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

  • 3-5+ years of experience in PLC programming with high competence in safety systems engineering.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline (e.g., Automation, Electronics, or Mechanical Engineering).
  • Strong proficiency in Siemens TIA Portal and Beckhoff TwinCAT.
  • Practical knowledge of safety standards such as ISO 13849-1, IEC 62061, and IEC 61508.
  • Experience with Safety PLCs, Safety Relays, and various Safety Field Devices.
  • Familiarity with industrial communication protocols including Profibus, Profinet, and EtherNet/IP.
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
  • Flexibility to travel to various UK and international sites as required by specific projects.

Nice to Haves

  • TÜV Functional Safety Engineer certification or equivalent.
  • Previous experience with CE or SIL certification processes.

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

Senior PLC Software Controls Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Controls Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Controls Engineer

Ocado United Kingdom

Senior DevOps Engineer

Quantexa London, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Senior AI/ML Engineer

Platform Recruitment London, United Kingdom
£90,000 – £120,000 pa

Senior/Staff Software Engineer, Back End Leaning

Synthesia London, United Kingdom
Remote

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.