Principal Industrial Solutions Architect

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Industrial Solutions Architect for a remote-first role to lead design and delivery of advanced industrial solutions across manufacturing, logistics, and energy domains.

You will translate client needs into robust architectures, guide multi-disciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and stay ahead of Industry 4.0 trends using IoT, AI, cloud, and data analytics to drive digital transformation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years designing complex industrial systems with at least 5 years in an architectural role.
• Deep knowledge of Industry 4.0 concepts, IoT platforms, cloud, and data analytics/AI/ML in industrial contexts.
• Proven experience with systems integration, network protocols (OPC UA, MQTT), and SCADA/HMI.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of complex industrial automation and digital transformation solutions for clients.
• Translate business requirements into robust technical solutions, specifying hardware, software, and integration strategies.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams throughout the solution development lifecycle.
• Mentor and develop junior architects and engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Team mentoring

Agile

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

OPC UA

MQTT

AWS

Azure

GCP

SCADA/HMI

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking technology solutions provider with a significant presence in the industrial automation space, is seeking an experienced Principal Industrial Solutions Architect. This is a strategic, remote-first role, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere. You will be responsible for designing and architecting innovative industrial solutions that address complex client challenges in manufacturing, logistics, and energy sectors. This involves understanding client needs, translating them into technical specifications, and guiding the development and implementation of integrated systems. You will work with a team of highly skilled engineers and consultants, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT, AI, and advanced analytics. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of industrial processes, systems integration, and emerging technologies. This role demands exceptional technical leadership, strategic thinking, and outstanding communication skills to effectively engage with clients and internal teams. You will be instrumental in shaping our company's technological direction and delivering high-impact solutions to our diverse client base, contributing to their digital transformation journeys. Our commitment is to provide leading-edge solutions that drive efficiency and innovation across industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of complex industrial automation and digital transformation solutions for clients.
• Translate business requirements into robust technical solutions, specifying hardware, software, and integration strategies.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, platforms, and tools to meet client objectives, focusing on IoT, AI, cloud, and data analytics.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams throughout the solution development lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with sales and business development teams to understand client needs and shape proposals.
• Develop technical roadmaps and strategies for clients, aligning with their long-term business goals.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging industrial technologies and trends, identifying opportunities for innovation.
• Author technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, design specifications, and integration plans.
• Conduct technical feasibility studies and proof-of-concept projects.
• Mentor and develop junior architects and engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in designing and implementing complex industrial systems, with at least 5 years in an architectural role.
• Extensive knowledge of Industry 4.0 concepts, IoT platforms, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), and data analytics/AI/ML in industrial contexts.
• Proven experience with systems integration, network protocols (e.g., OPC UA, MQTT), and SCADA/HMI systems.
• Demonstrated ability to architect scalable, resilient, and secure industrial solutions.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.