Expert / Architect - Automation, Controls & AI

Festo inspires people and organizations around the world with innovative solutions for industrial automation. We are an independent family business and offer more than 20,000 employees the opportunity to take bold steps, realize their ideas, and take on responsibility. As a team, we grow by tackling challenges together and we welcome everyone who wants to move the world with us.

Your Job

• Define and maintain the automation and controls system architecture.
• Platform approaches for PLC systems (incl. engineering) with different CPUs, fieldbus interfaces, IOs.
• Processes to fulfill security and safety standards.
• Good understanding of realtime operating systems.
• Design and oversee PLC, HMI, SCADA-Systems.
• Evaluate emerging technologies in AI, machine learning, and edge computing.
• Develop standards and frameworks for integrating AI into industrial environments.

Identify Opportunities To Apply

• Deep Learning.
• Predictive analytics.
• Agentic approaches using LLMs.
• Collaborate on development of Digital twins.
• Mentor engineers in both controls and AI competencies.

Competencies And Requirements

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or related field
• Extensive experience (typically 8–15+ years) in architecture driven Software development
• Solid understanding of:
• Control system architectures.
• Industrial cybersecurity and safety.
• PLC programming.
• Industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP).
• Strong system-level and data-driven thinking.0
• Ability to combine controls engineering with AI concepts.
• Experience with digital twins and simulation tools.
• Excellent problem-solving and innovation mindset.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to collaborate in cross-functional and international environments.

Personal Competencies And Requirements

• Team player, able to work in a multicultural working environment;
• Thinking out of the box, creativity and continuous improvement attitude;
• Flexible, adaptable, open to meet the change and acquire new knowledge and skill;
• Excellent written and spoken English.

You Can Expect The Following With Us

• Motivating compensation and social benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on a variety of projects in the field of industrial automation, IIoT.
• Professional development and learning opportunities in high technology and production environment.

In case your professional qualification corresponds to the above requirements and you wish to join our growing team, please send us your CV!

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Your documents and personal data will be treated as confidential and will be protected according to Bulgarian Data Protection Legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR).