Junior Software Engineer

About the role

Critical Manufacturing is dedicated to empowering high-performance operations to make Industry 4.0 a reality with the most innovative, comprehensive, and modular MES software. We have a global presence, but our headquarters, and the main technical center, are in Porto (Maia), Portugal, where we develop a state-of-the-art solution for Semiconductor, Electronics, Life Sciences, and Industrial Equipment. Recognized as a Leader by Gartner, we are part of ASMPT, the world's largest supplier of best-in-class equipment, and technological process partner for the electronics and semiconductor industries. The Role As a Junior Software Engineer at Critical Manufacturing, you will be part of a challenging and impactful project focused on developing and evolving our Manufacturing Execution System (MES), a leading product used by customers in advanced manufacturing environments worldwide. We are looking for self‑motivated individuals with a strong passion for software development who thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment. This role is not limited to a single technology stack or application layer. Instead, it is designed for engineers with the right mindset - curiosity, problem‑solving skills, and a willingness to learn - who are interested in working across different parts of the system, from backend services and data layers to user‑facing applications. You will contribute to real industrial software where quality, performance, and scalability are critical, and where your work directly helps customers improve the performance and reliability of their operations. What You Will Do Help build, improve, and extend a leading software solution for advanced manufacturing Write clean, maintainable, and production‑quality ("awesome") code Collaborate with other engineers and cross‑functional teams to design and implement solutions Innovate, propose new ideas, and help define technical approaches to challenging problems Incorporate customer needs into software solutions to help improve operational performance What Success Looks Like Within your first year, you will have: Contributed successfully to production features or improvements as part of a development team Built a solid understanding of Critical Manufacturing's products, architecture, and development practices Demonstrated the ability to work across different software layers with appropriate guidance Improved your autonomy, code quality, and technical confidence Established effective collaboration habits within an agile, fast‑paced environment Why Join Us Be part of a company shaping the future of manufacturing software Work on real-world industrial systems with global impact Enjoy the freedom to learn, experiment, and grow as a software engineer Join a team where engineering excellence and technology meet to make Industry 4.0 real What You Will Bring Foundations in software engineering, including programming concepts, software architecture, and design patterns Willingness to work across different layers of a software product A proactive attitude, curiosity, and a strong desire to learn and improve Good spoken and written English communication skills What We Consider a Plus (Not Mandatory) Knowledge of backend technologies (e.g., C# / .NET) Knowledge of web technologies and frameworks (e.g., JavaScript, TypeScript, Angular) Knowledge of SQL and database concepts, with SQL Server and/or ClickHouse being a strong plus Knowledge of unit and automated testing Knowledge with source control tools (preferably Git) Knowledge of Event Streaming Platforms (e.g. Kafka) Knowledge of agile software development methodologies Knowledge ok Docker or container-based environments Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are a source of commitment and innovation At Critical Manufacturing, we welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of disabilities, diverse abilities, identities, or experiences. Our commitment is to create an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.