Backend Systems Engineer - Contract

Role Overview

Join the Software Engineering team on a physical Operations Technology (OT) integration project. You will build and maintain the backend systems that connect OT field devices to the digital twin platform - handling real-time data ingestion, protocol translation, and system integration across industrial communication standards.

Key Responsibilities

. Develop and maintain backend services and middleware for OT/IoT data ingestion using OPC-UA, MODBUS, and MQTT protocols.

. Build data pipeline components that normalise, process, and route telemetry from field devices to platform services and 3D visualisation layers.

. Integrate AI coding tools (e.g. Claude, Copilot) into daily development workflows for code generation, unit testing, and validation - this is an expected practice, not optional.

. Write and maintain automated test suites covering protocol adapters, data transformation logic, and integration endpoints.

. Collaborate with frontend Unity engineers and systems architects to define and implement API contracts (REST/WebSocket).

. Participate in code reviews, contribute to technical documentation, and support deployment through CI/CD pipelines.

. Troubleshoot field connectivity and protocol issues work with OT/hardware teams on device commissioning and debugging.

Must-Have Requirements

. Hands-on experience with OPC-UA, MODBUS, and MQTT - protocol implementation, not just conceptual familiarity.

. Proficiency in backend development (Python, Node.js, Go, or Java - at least one).

. Active use of AI tools for coding, testing, and validation in prior roles or personal projects.

. Experience writing integration and unit tests familiarity with test automation frameworks.

. Comfortable working with message brokers (MQTT brokers, Kafka, or similar) and time-series or event-driven data.

Good to Have

. Exposure to digital twin platforms or industrial IoT stacks.

. Familiarity with OT security considerations (network segmentation, secure protocol configuration).

. Experience with containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes) and CI/CD tooling.

. Knowledge of BACnet, DNP3, or other industrial protocols.

Experience

. 2-5 years in backend or systems software engineering, with at least some exposure to OT/IoT environments.

. Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.