Equipment Software Engineer

Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.

Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.

Learn about our company culture directly from our team.

YOU

You want to build software that directly supports complex industrial equipment. You take pride in solving difficult, real-world problems and delivering dependable systems that help customers design and build safer, stronger structures. As an Equipment Software Engineer, you will develop, maintain, and support multiple Windows applications used with a variety of manufacturing and equipment systems. You will initially be the primary software developer supporting this equipment area, with broad ownership of understanding the applications, their integrations, and how they interact with the equipment. This role combines strong C#/.NET development skills with practical mechanical, electrical, and troubleshooting aptitude. You will use AI-enabled development tools extensively to accelerate development, analysis, documentation, and test creation. You will be responsible for applying sound engineering judgment to guide those tools and rigorously reviewing, validating, and confirming that generated code, tests, and solutions are correct, safe, maintainable, and appropriate for equipment use. You will work closely with software, controls, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, service, and other teams to diagnose issues, improve equipment capabilities, and deliver reliable solutions. You will not normally repair electrical, sensor, mechanical, or other physical equipment problems yourself. However, you must be able to understand how the complete system operates, narrow down the source of a problem, and accurately determine which team or person should address it.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (% of Time)

Design, develop, maintain, and support Windows-based equipment software applications using C# and .NET. Applications may include operator interfaces, equipment-control integrations, diagnostics, production-support tools, configuration utilities, and printer integrations. (35%)

Troubleshoot complex equipment-related problems across software, electrical systems, sensors, PLCs, motors, drives, encoders, printers, networking, and mechanical components. Use a systematic approach to determine whether the source of an issue is within the software or should be escalated to another technical team. Clearly document findings, provide useful diagnostic information, and route issues to the appropriate subject-matter expert when the problem is outside the software team’s responsibility. (20%)

Integrate software applications with industrial equipment and control systems, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), using protocols such as Modbus and OPC. This role will not program PLCs directly but will work closely with controls and electrical personnel to integrate applications with PLCs, troubleshoot communication and machine-operation issues, and support new equipment features. (15%)

Serve as a final software-support escalation point for difficult issues. Work persistently and patiently through complex or intermittent problems until the software-related cause is identified, the issue is properly scoped, or the appropriate team is engaged with enough information to continue the investigation. (10%)

Develop and maintain automated tests, diagnostic tools, and validation processes to improve application and equipment reliability. Use AI tools to assist with test development while independently reviewing and confirming test coverage, correctness, and effectiveness. (10%)

Integrate with a variety of industrial printing technologies, which may include inkjet printers, label printers, and high-resolution printers that print directly on boards or other materials. Learn each printer’s interface, communication requirements, capabilities, and failure modes, and develop and support the software needed to send messages and production data to those devices. (5%)

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, support equipment installations and upgrades, document software and equipment behavior, and improve supportability across the equipment portfolio. Use practical planning and coordination practices to keep work visible and priorities aligned. (5%)

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

If you can do everything listed above, you’ve got what it takes. Perhaps some of the following would be helpful too:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information systems, engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Five or more years of relevant software development experience.
• Strong experience developing Windows applications using C# and .NET.
• Experience with desktop application development technologies such as WPF, WinForms, or similar patterns.
• Experience designing clean, maintainable, testable, and well-structured software.
• Experience with automated testing practices.
• Experience using AI-assisted software-development tools effectively and responsibly.
• Ability to use software engineering knowledge and sound design practices to direct AI-assisted development, critically review generated code and tests, identify errors or risks, and verify solutions before release.
• Experience integrating software with external hardware, industrial equipment, devices, or third-party systems.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, OPC, serial communication, TCP/IP, or similar protocols.
• Familiarity with PLC-connected systems and industrial automation environments. PLC programming experience is helpful but not required.
• Understanding of basic electrical systems, sensors, motors, drives, encoders, and machine-control concepts.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to think through how physical equipment operates, moves, and interacts with software.
• Experience integrating with printers or other specialized peripherals is helpful.
• Exceptional troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to distinguish software problems from electrical, sensor, mechanical, PLC, printer, networking, or other equipment problems.
• Ability to narrow down problems and clearly communicate which team, person, or technical discipline should investigate next.
• Strong persistence, patience, and attention to detail when diagnosing intermittent or difficult-to-reproduce issues.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of a broad application and equipment portfolio, and prioritize work effectively.
• Experience with Git source control.
• Ability to document technical designs, troubleshooting findings, support procedures, and integration requirements clearly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with software, controls, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, service, and customer-facing teams.
• Building products, manufacturing, industrial automation, machinery, or equipment-software experience is a plus.
• Communication: Ability to write in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Ability to effectively present information to groups of managers, team members and customers.
• Teamwork: Ability to build and sustain cooperative working relationships.
• Organization: The ability to arrange resources to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently; arranges information and files in a useful manner.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify the information needed to solve complex problems effectively and work systematically to isolate the source across software, equipment, electrical, controls, and mechanical domains.
• Composure: Ability to stay calm and in control in tense or frustrating situations.
• Customer Focus: Ability to cultivate relationships that secure commitment and trust with external and internal customer needs.
• Action Oriented: Ability to willingly take practical action to deal with a problem or situation in a timely manner.
• Perseverance: Ability to do something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
• Time Management: Ability to organize and prioritize assigned tasks.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

This position requires domestic and international travel up to 10% of the time.

WORK STATUS & LOCATION

This full-time, exempt position is located in Fulton, MO, with a hybrid schedule.

RELOCATION

Relocation is not available for this position.

PAY

$77,600 - $124,200 / year

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear, and sometimes walk and stand. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment where standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers/scanners, etc. are frequently used.

REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE

We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.

• Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue - directly or indirectly - and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
• Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more. View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.

In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.

Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful drug screen and criminal background check, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

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