Solutions Architect

Avance Consulting; City Of London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Avance Consulting seeks a Principal – MES Solution Architect to lead enterprise MES design around Siemens Opcenter across London-based manufacturing sites.

You will own end-to-end MES architecture, drive integration with ERP/PLM/SCADA, and govern data models, workflows, and KPIs to enable manufacturing excellence.

This permanent role offers technical leadership, mentorship of project teams, and close collaboration with operations and IT leadership.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of MES solution architecture experience with Siemens Opcenter.
• Proven track record delivering enterprise MES programs across multi-site plants.
• Deep knowledge of ISA-95/ISA-88 and manufacturing data models.
• Hands-on experience with Opcenter modules: Execution, APS, Quality, Intelligence.
• Experience integrating MES with ERP, PLM, SCADA, IoT, and data platforms.
• Strong communication to engage plant-level and executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end MES solution architecture using Siemens Opcenter as primary platform.
• Translate production, quality, traceability, and scheduling needs into designs.
• Maintain architecture artifacts and deployment views; ensure governance.
• Guide designers and plant teams; mentor and lead delivery.
• Support integration and deployment challenges in manufacturing environments.
• Align MES with ISA-95/ISA-88 and enterprise standards.

Skills

Siemens Opcenter

Enterprise MES

ISA-95/ISA-88

Architecture governance

Stakeholder communication

Mentorship

Data integration

Job description

Role: Principal – MES Solution Architect (Siemens Opcenter)

Practice: Strategic Design & Consulting (SDC)

Location : London, UK

Duration - Permanent

Role Overview

• Enterprise MES Solution Architecture — Design, Integration, and Manufacturing Enablement
• As a Principal – MES Solution Architect, you will serve as the technical and architectural authority for large, complex MES initiatives, with a strong focus on Siemens Opcenter (Execution / Discrete / Process / APS) platforms.
• You are accountable for defining end-to-end MES solution architecture, ensuring alignment across manufacturing processes, shopfloor systems, system integrations, data flows, and operational KPIs.
• Success in this position is defined by your ability to translate manufacturing and operational needs into scalable MES architectures, guide delivery teams, and ensure solutions are robust, interoperable, and aligned with enterprise standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Solution Architecture & Design
• Define end-to-end MES solution architecture for enterprise deployments, with Siemens Opcenter as the primary platform
• Translate manufacturing process requirements (production, quality, traceability, scheduling) into logical and physical designs
• Own architecture artifacts including shopfloor system landscapes, ISA-95-aligned workflows, integration patterns, and deployment views
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards, cybersecurity, and non-functional requirements
• Provide architectural governance across the MES lifecycle (design → deployment → stabilization)

Technical Leadership & Delivery Support

• Act as the technical authority for MES architecture decisions across design and implementation phases
• Guide and mentor solution designers, technical leads, and plant-level implementation teams
• Support configuration and customization of Opcenter modules (Execution, Quality, APS, Intelligence)
• Troubleshoot complex integration, performance, and deployment challenges in manufacturing environments

Integration & Data Architecture

• Design and govern integrations between Opcenter and enterprise / shopfloor systems, including:
• ERP (SAP, Oracle)
• PLM (Teamcenter or others)
• SCADA / PLC / IoT platforms
• Data platforms and analytics systems
• Define manufacturing data models, genealogy/traceability structures, and real-time data flows
• Ensure data integrity, performance, and end-to-end visibility from shopfloor to enterprise (Level 3 to Level 4)
• Drive alignment with ISA-95 / ISA-88 standards

Manufacturing Process Alignment

• Collaborate with operations, plant leadership, and engineering teams to align MES with:
• Production workflows
• Quality processes
• Work-in-progress (WIP) tracking
• Scheduling and capacity planning
• Lead design of digital thread between manufacturing, quality, and supply chain

Stakeholder & Vendor Collaboration

• Engage business, manufacturing, and IT stakeholders to validate solution design
• Work closely with Siemens Opcenter product teams to align with platform capabilities and roadmap
• Support sales and pursuit teams with MES solution architecture, estimates, and proposals

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in MES solution architecture and implementation, with strong expertise in Siemens Opcenter
• Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale MES programs across multi-site manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of shopfloor operations, manufacturing execution, and production systems
• Hands-on experience with Opcenter modules (Execution / APS / Quality / Intelligence)
• Experience integrating MES with ERP, PLM, SCADA, IoT, and data platforms
• Strong knowledge of ISA-95, ISA-88, and manufacturing data models
• Excellent communication skills to engage both plant-level and executive stakeholders