Solution Architect – MES Program

Cedar Recruitment; Porto; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar Recruitment is seeking a Solution Architect to own a global MES programme. The role combines hands-on development (C#/.NET, microservices) with architectural oversight across distributed teams.

Expect a 50/50 split between building solutions and guiding delivery, with emphasis on standards and reusable components. Responsibilities include delivering complex backend capabilities, data modelling for MES, and coordinating across multiple sites with ERP/MQTT/REST integrations.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in MES/ERP backend development.
• Direct experience on Critical Manufacturing MES platform.
• Expert proficiency in C#/.NET, microservices, and system architecture.
• Ability to lead across distributed delivery teams and define coding standards.
• Experience designing multi-site manufacturing solutions and data modelling.
• Proficiency in frontend using CM GUI or equivalent and integration patterns.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on delivery of backend solutions including design and development.
• Define and enforce architectural principles across delivery teams.
• Mentor technical leads and onboard new members to standards and processes.
• Review architecture proposals and approve changes before production.
• Coordinate efforts across multiple sites and external integrations.

Skills

C# / .NET

Microservices

Architecture

Distributed teams

English fluency

Code reviews

Frontend (CM GUI)

IoT & integration

Tools

CM GUI framework

OPC

MQTT

REST

ERP connectors

Job description

Solution Architect – MES Programme

Platform: Critical Manufacturing MES

Location: Porto – 1-2 days per month – Remote aside that

Duration: 6-12 months

We’re looking for a Solution Architect to take technical ownership of a global MES programme spanning multiple manufacturing sites.

This role combines hands-on development with architectural oversight, with an approximately 50/50 split between building solutions and guiding delivery across distributed teams. You’ll tackle complex technical challenges, create reusable components and work closely with Senior Leads to maintain consistent standards across the programme.

Responsibilities

Hands-on delivery

• Design and develop complex backend solutions using C#/.NET, microservices and integrations.
• Deliver requirements that span multiple sites or exceed local team capability.
• Build reusable frameworks, components and patterns that site teams can adopt.
• Develop services, integrations and data entities within Critical Manufacturing MES.
• Work across MES data models, including master data, bills of materials, routing and material tracking.
• Support integrations between manufacturing equipment, MES and enterprise systems using OPC, MQTT, REST and ERP connectors.

Architecture and technical oversight

• Define and enforce coding standards, architectural principles and design patterns across all delivery teams.
• Review and validate architecture proposals from Senior Leads.
• Own final code approval before changes reach production.
• Establish estimation methods and review estimates provided by technical leads.
• Improve component reuse and reduce technical debt across the programme.
• Support Senior Leads with complex technical decisions and competing requirements.
• Mentor technical leads and develop their architectural thinking.
• Onboard new team members onto technical standards, processes and ways of working.

Essential experience

• At least five years’ experience in MES or ERP backend development.
• Direct experience developing solutions on the Critical Manufacturing MES platform.
• Expert proficiency in C#/.NET, microservices and system architecture.
• Experience providing architectural direction across distributed delivery teams.
• A track record of designing solutions for multi-site manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of MES data modelling, including master data, bills of materials, routing and material tracking.
• Experience defining coding standards, conducting code reviews and enforcing quality gates.
• Working proficiency in frontend development using the CM GUI framework or an equivalent.
• Working knowledge of IoT and integration architecture, including OPC, MQTT, REST and ERP connectors.
• Experience overseeing or coordinating technical work across multiple teams.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable experience

• Critical Manufacturing certifications, such as Backend Developer or Automation Developer.
• DevOps and CI/CD pipelines for MES deployments.
• Estimation approaches such as function points, story points or analogous estimation.
• Experience with IoT platforms beyond CM Connect.