KTP Associate - Software Engineer

Software Engineer (KTP Associate)

Fixed term: 25 months

Salary range: £38,000 to £40,000

Location: Reliant Windows Limited, 125 West Bromwich Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3AY

Birmingham City University are looking to appoint a high calibre graduate (graduated within the last five years) as Software Engineer (KTP Associate).

This role presents an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with leading academics at Birmingham City University, to apply knowledge and technical innovation, delivered on site at the company. 

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) should have a minimum 2.1 University qualification in a relevant subject area and graduated within the last five years. 

This Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) is co-funded by a grant from Innovate UK and Reliant Windows Limited. It is therefore essential you understand the fundamentals of the KTP collaboration between a UK business and a University works to deliver benefits for each (the company, the university, and the graduate) For more information please go to www.ktp.org.uk

Personal Training & Development Budget: 

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) will have access to a wider range of benefits including a personal development budget of £4,167 to upskill during the project. 

The successful candidate will be employed by Birmingham City University and seconded to work full-time onsite at Reliant Windows Limited to deliver the 25-month KTP project in partnership Birmingham City University and Reliant Windows Limited.

Reliant Windows Limited:

Reliant Windows are based in the West Midlands and were formed in 1982.  The company provides windows, conservatories, orangeries, doors, porches and double glazing in Birmingham and UK wide.  For more information please visit: www.reliant-windows.co.uk

The successful candidate will have full access to Birmingham City University’s resources such as offices, labs, and library to complete the KTP project (a project workplan written with KPIs and outcome deliverables has been written).

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) will be supervised and mentored by both a lead academic and academic supervisor academics from Birmingham City University’s College of Engineering within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE) as well as a company supervisor located at Reliant Windows Limited whose aim is to assist the Software Engineer (KTP Associate) to deliver the knowledge into Reliant Windows Limited and successfully deliver the 25-month KTP project on behalf of Reliant Windows Limited and Birmingham City University. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) duties will work on:

• Establishing the organisation’s requirements and aligning these to the project goals
• Integrated ERP and CRM systems utilising MS Azure Cloud Hosting
• Develop dashboards providing Real time data visualisation and analytics via Power BI
• Build CRM system to actively track and manage marketing campaigns

The role requires the successful candidate to:

• Develop ERP and CRM systems and integrate AI tools within the ERP environment
• Configure Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM with custom moules and workflows
• Develop user interface, and automate workflow
• Working closely with Reliant Windows Limited team to ensure the successful development and deployment of the models within the company 
• Design and facilitate workshops to share and transfer knowledge

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) will be expected to interact with senior management, suppliers, and company clients, as well as BCU academics. 

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) must also be adept at applying their knowledge to commercial projects, driving value, making an impact where possible, and having the ability to solve problems and create innovative solutions.

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) must have the following key attributes to ensure the project’s successful completion.

Skills and Experience: 

The Software Engineer (KTP Associate) will hold a relevant degree. This might be a first degree (equivalent to a first class or 2:1 honours) in Computer Science or Data Science, or a related discipline, or a postgraduate degree in a similar discipline is acceptable.

Essential:

• A minimum 2:1 undergraduate qualification in Computer and Data Science
• A master's degree or PhD [awarded in computing or a closely related discipline will be an advantage]
• Proven work experience with the development of ML
• Proficient in integrating disparate systems (CRM, ERP, CAD) and managing change within a manufacturing environment
• Expert programming skills with experience in .NET frameworks, SQL for database management, and familiarity with Java EE for enterprise applications
• Solid working knowledge of system architecting and design principles, with experience in designing scalable and robust software solutions
• Extensive experience in developing and integrating business systems tailored for manufacturing and B2B operations, including quotation management and supply chain integration
• Deep knowledge and hands-on experience in integrating embedded systems with enterprise software, data engineering for real-time data processing, and developing RESTful APIs for system interoperability
• Strong understanding of AI and machine learning principles, particularly in applying GenAI for contract analysis and commercial response drafting
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure) for deploying and managing integrated systems, including data storage and analytics
• Experience with version control tools (e.g. Git)
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work with and convey technical concepts to academics and non-technical stakeholders
• Able to work effectively under pressure and meet targets and delivery outputs within time and budget
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, as well as independently on projects
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, with a keen eye for detail
• Able to undertake independent research and to communicate this research comprehensively and accurately through journal papers, conferences, workshops/seminars
• Strong leadership and project management skills 
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to take a proactive role in delivering the proposal's work plan successfully
• Practical interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and industrial partners
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and computational skills, along with being Adept at applying knowledge to commercial projects, driving value and making an impact where possible
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, as well as independently on projects

Desirable:

• Understanding of manufacturing processes specific to the glazing industry, including window design, production, and installation
• Knowledge and experience of systems integration and APIs would be advantageous
• Proven work experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and their services
• Experience of projects with LLMs or GenAI 
• Experience with 3D scanning technologies and integrating related APIs
• Experience in utilising Design Thinking and facilitating workshops
• A good understanding of, or willingness and ability to learn, the printing industry management
• Ability to manage software development projects, including planning, execution, and monitoring
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams including IT, operations, and legal
• Proficient in analytical thinking and problem-solving, with a focus on optimizing business processes through technology
• Academic acumen to enable successful reporting through research publications in academic journals and marketing/training materials
• A clean driving license and a willingness to travel to utility contracts throughout the UK
• Practical experience of working in the manufacturing industry

On a personal note, the Associate should be enthusiastic, motivated, punctual, conscientious, trustworthy, and work well within a team. 

For further information please contact Dr Essa Shahra at essa.shahra@bcu.ac.uk, Dr Samer Bamansoor at samer.bamansoor@bcu.ac.uk, Dr Nouh Elmitwally at nouh.elmitwally@bcu.ac.uk 

Please review the full Job Description via the link below:

JOB DESCRIPTION

At the heart of our Strategy for 2030 and Beyond, it is our mission to enable our students to transform their lives and to achieve their potential. Through our education and research, and the roles our graduates go on to play in the world, we not only support individuals to transform their lives, but we also play a part in transforming society.

Located in the centre of the UK’s second city, we are a university with a long heritage of innovation and of making, dating back to our origins in 1843 when we were founded as the Birmingham Government School of Design.

Our heritage of making through innovation and its application through knowledge exchange, and of creative research and practice, today finds it expression in our STEAM agenda, in our research and enterprise, and in our commitment to challenge-based learning. Working across disciplines, and delivering impactful research and enterprise, interdisciplinarity is at the heart of the continuing transformation of our academic portfolio.