Senior Software Developer - Automation Tech

Position Summary

The Senior Software Developer – Automation Tech is responsible for the end-to-end architecture, development, integration, and ongoing support of frontend, backend, and full-stack solutions that enable automation, warehouse management, and supply chain innovation across FFF Enterprises and Nufactor. This position plays a critical role in ensuring interoperability between enterprise platforms such as SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), robotics systems, and material-handling automation technologies used in both distribution and pharmacy fulfillment environments. The Senior Developer preferably brings a balanced combination of deep software engineering capability, practical experience in automation environments, and adaptability to work across both information technology and operational technology landscapes.  

The Senior Developer champions modern engineering practices including Agile methodologies (XP, Test-First design, CI/CD), secure coding, and DevOps pipelines to deliver scalable, resilient, and compliant solutions. In addition to technical execution, this position provides systems analysis, technical leadership, and mentorship to junior staff while collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to align solutions with business priorities. The Senior Developer ensures delivery of secure, high-performance applications that increase operational efficiency, maintain data integrity, and support long-term enterprise growth strategies. 

Essential Functions and Duties

Software Development & Full-Stack Engineering:

• Design, develop, and maintain backend applications, APIs, and microservices using Go (Golang) as the primary language, with supplemental development in Python, C#, and Java to support integration and interoperability.
• Build, optimize, and maintain relational databases (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL), ensuring high availability, scalability, and data integrity across mission-critical systems.
• Develop and support front-end components (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) where needed to enable full-stack functionality and user-friendly interfaces.
• Engineer and deliver edge and cloud-based applications that interface with automation technologies, robotics platforms, pharmacy fulfillment and distribution systems to support end-to-end supply chain operations.
• Apply software engineering best practices including modular design, code reviews, automated testing, and documentation to ensure reliability, maintainability, and compliance.

Systems Analysis & Integration:

• Conduct in-depth systems analysis, requirements gathering, and programming to design, adapt, and support automation and enterprise platforms, ensuring alignment with operational workflows and business objectives.
• Architect and implement integrations between SAP EWM/WMS and industrial automation technologies (PLCs, robotics, IoT devices), leveraging industry-standard protocols such as CIP, MQTT, and Modbus to enable seamless data exchange and real-time decision-making.
• Develop interface specifications, technical documentation, and integration test plans to validate system interoperability and performance under production conditions.
• Collaborate closely with operations, IT, and supply chain stakeholders to streamline end-to-end fulfillment processes, reduce manual touchpoints, and increase system efficiency and reliability.
• Provide technical leadership during integration projects, identifying risks, recommending solutions, and ensuring timely and successful deployments.

Agile Development & DevOps:

• Champion Agile software development methodologies, including Extreme Programming (XP), Test-First design, pair programming, and iterative delivery practices, ensuring rapid, high-quality releases that align with business priorities.
• Design, implement, and maintain robust CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, and Azure DevOps to automate builds, testing, and deployments across hybrid environments (on-premises, edge computing, and serverless cloud).
• Manage deployments and runtime environments across Linux/Ubuntu/Windows servers, containerized platforms (Docker, Kubernetes), and multi-cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, GCP), ensuring scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Establish automated monitoring, logging, and alerting within DevOps workflows to detect issues early and enable proactive remediation.
• Drive a culture of DevOps excellence by promoting continuous integration, continuous delivery, infrastructure as code (IaC), and collaborative ownership of system stability between development and operations teams.Champion Agile methodologies, including XP, Test-First, and iterative delivery practices.

Architecture, Security & Process Improvement:

• Define and document system architectures, integration boundaries, and technology roadmaps to ensure scalability, fault tolerance, and high availability across automation and enterprise platforms.
• Apply secure coding practices and embed security by design principles into all development efforts, including encryption, identity and access management, and adherence to OWASP Top 10 standards.
• Design and maintain automated test suites (unit, integration, regression, performance, and security) to validate system functionality, resiliency, and compliance under real-world operating conditions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending optimized approaches that reduce complexity, increase maintainability, and improve time-to-market.
• Research, evaluate, and pilot emerging technologies—including edge computing, robotics frameworks, and AI/ML-driven automation—and provide data-driven recommendations for adoption aligned with business strategy.
• Establish observability frameworks and practices using tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK/EFK, enabling proactive monitoring, root cause analysis, and predictive system reliability improvements.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with product owners, business analysts, and operational leaders to translate complex business requirements into scalable, secure, and sustainable technical designs that align with organizational goals.
• Deliver clear risk and impact assessments, propose solution alternatives, and present trade-offs to guide informed business and technology decisions at both tactical and strategic levels.
• Act as a primary liaison across IT, Operations, Supply Chain, and external vendors, ensuring alignment of automation initiatives with enterprise priorities, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops, design reviews, and post-implementation debriefs to build consensus, share lessons learned, and continuously improve solution delivery.
• Influence decision-making by providing technical expertise in executive-level discussions, helping shape the direction of supply chain automation and digital transformation efforts.

Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing:

• Mentor junior and mid-level developers by providing structured code reviews, architectural guidance, and individualized career coaching that fosters professional growth and technical excellence.
• Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives—including technical deep-dives, architecture reviews, and postmortems—to institutionalize best practices, capture lessons learned, and raise the overall engineering maturity of the organization.
• Contribute to the design and maintenance of reusable frameworks, internal libraries, and coding standards that improve development efficiency, consistency, and long-term maintainability.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning by curating resources, introducing emerging tools and practices, and encouraging experimentation within safe, structured environments.
• Act as a role model for collaborative problem-solving and cross-functional knowledge exchange, ensuring expertise is disseminated beyond the immediate development team.

Implementation, Rollout & Support:

• Support system implementations by traveling to company sites to oversee installation, commissioning, and stabilization activities, ensuring solutions are deployed on schedule and meet performance expectations.
• Provide rotating on-call coverage for mission-critical systems, maintaining high availability and rapid response during peak distribution and fulfillment cycles.
• Diagnose, triage, and resolve production incidents in real time; conduct root-cause analysis, document findings, and implement sustainable corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Collaborate with operations and IT teams during rollout phases to validate system performance, optimize configurations, and train end users on new processes and tools.
• Establish post-implementation monitoring and feedback loops to measure effectiveness, capture lessons learned, and drive continuous improvement for future deployments.

General Responsibilities:

• Adheres specifically to all company policies and procedures, Federal and State regulations, and laws.
• Display dedication to position responsibilities and achieve assigned goals and objectives.
• Always represent the Company in a professional manner and appearance.
• Understand and internalize the Company’s purpose.
• Display loyalty to the Company and its organizational values.
• Display enthusiasm and dedication to learning how to be more effective on the job and share knowledge with others.
• Work effectively with co-workers, internal and external customers and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listen to and objectively consider ideas and suggestions from others; keep commitments; keep others informed of work progress, timetables, and issues; address problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions; address others by name, title, or other respectful identifier, and respect the diversity of our work force in actions, words, and deeds.
• Comply with the policies and procedures stated in the Injury and Illness Prevention Program by always working in a safe manner and immediately reporting any injury, safety hazard, or program violation.
• Ensure conduct is consistent with all Compliance Program Policies and procedures when engaging in any activity on behalf of the company. Immediately report any concerns or violations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related field (e.g., Mechatronics with software emphasis) or at least seven (7) years of progressive software development experience in backend and automation domains in lieu of a degree. Progressive experience must demonstrate increasing responsibility in backend development, automation integration, and enterprise systems.

Required Knowledge:

• Programming: Go, SQL, with working knowledge of Python and scripting languages.
• Systems: Linux/Ubuntu and Windows; heterogeneous environment support.
• Cloud/Infrastructure: AWS, Azure, or GCP; hybrid on-prem, edge computing, and serverless models.
• DevOps: CI/CD, Git, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Enterprise Integration: SAP EWM/WMS APIs, RFCs, and IDocs.
• Networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, RESTful APIs, and message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka).
• Security: Knowledge of secure coding practices, encryption, and authentication/authorization frameworks (OAuth, SAML).

Preferred Knowledge:

• Robotics, PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Siemens), IoT frameworks.
• Data streaming platforms (Kafka, MQTT).
• Monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK/EFK).
• Agile collaboration tools (JIRA, Confluence).

Required Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years backend development and systems integration experience, including SAP EWM/WMS and automation. Or seven (7) years backend development with automation/PLC/robotics integration and enterprise interfaces in lieu of a degree.
• Experience must include leading or significantly contributing to multi-site system rollouts or automation implementations.
• Willingness to provide rotating on-call support.

Preferred Experience:

• Ten (10) years progressive backend development with at least five (5) years in automation-intensive industries (distribution, manufacturing, or life sciences).
• Project management software experience.
• Demonstrated success leading SAP-integrated automation rollouts.

Required Skills:

• Proficient problem-solving and root-cause analysis in distributed systems.
• Effective communication and technical documentation.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple demands, and work independently.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to mentor and influence across teams without direct authority.
• Leadership in Agile/DevOps environments.

Required Professional Certification:

• No

Preferred Professional Certification:

• AWS/Azure Developer or Architect certification.
• SAP EWM certification.
• PLC/Robotics vendor certifications (Rockwell, Siemens).

Physical requirements

Vision, hearing, speech, movements requiring the use of wrists, hands and/or fingers. Must have the ability to view a computer screen for long periods and the ability to sit for extended periods. Must have the ability to work the hours and days required to complete the essential functions of the position, as scheduled.  The employee must be able to travel occasionally.  The employee occasionally lifts up to 20 lbs. and occasionally kneels and bends. Must be able to travel as required by business needs, including regular site visits and occasional extended assignments during system implementations. Travel requirements may vary in frequency and duration, including short-term periods of more intensive travel. Travel is shared across the team to balance workload. Working conditions primarily include a normal office setting with occasional time in warehouse or distribution environments during implementations.

Mental Demands

Learning, thinking, concentration and the ability to work under pressure, particularly during busy times.   Must be able to pay close attention to detail and be able to work as a member of a team to ensure excellent customer service.  Must have the ability to interact effectively with co-workers and customers, and exercise self-control and diplomacy in customer and employee relations’ situations.  Must have the ability to exercise discretion as well as appropriate judgments when necessary.  Must be proactive in finding solutions. Must also adapt quickly to shifting priorities, maintain focus in high-stakes implementation environments, and deliver results under tight deadlines.

Direct Reports

No

EEO Statement

FF Enterprises and Nufactor are an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on the following characteristics: race, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, age (40 years and over) qualified veteran and any other characteristic protected by state or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment. These categories are defined according to Government Code section 12920. The Company prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.