Principal Industrial Systems Architect

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Principal Industrial Systems Architect to lead the design and deployment of integrated industrial systems for clients worldwide. This fully remote role requires deep expertise in industrial control, IIoT, data architecture, and secure, scalable enterprise solutions.

You will define technical vision, guide engineering teams, ensure standards and regulatory compliance, and drive architectural decisions across the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in designing and implementing complex industrial systems, with a significant focus on architecture.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial control systems (PLCs, DCS), SCADA, HMI, and industrial networking protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC UA, Profinet).
• Deep understanding of IIoT concepts, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS IoT, Azure IoT), and data analytics in industrial contexts.
• Proven experience in cybersecurity principles for industrial environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence architectural decisions.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design scalable, secure, and resilient industrial systems, encompassing hardware, software, networking, and data integration.
• Define the technical roadmap and standards for industrial IoT (IIoT) platforms, including sensor integration, data acquisition, and cloud connectivity.
• Lead the technical design and specification of complex automation solutions for diverse industrial applications.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, platforms, and vendors to meet system requirements and business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to engineering teams throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Ensure systems comply with industry-specific standards, cybersecurity best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation, including diagrams, specifications, and technical guidelines.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including clients, project managers, and development teams, to understand requirements and translate them into effective system designs.
• Identify emerging technologies and trends in industrial automation and IIoT, assessing their potential impact and applicability.
• Oversee proof-of-concept initiatives and pilot projects to validate architectural approaches and new technologies.

Skills

Systems architecture

IIoT concepts

Cloud platforms

Technical leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree or PhD in CS/EE/Industrial Eng

Tools

SCADA

PLCs/DCS

OPC UA/Profinet

Industrial cybersecurity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in industrial automation solutions, is seeking an exceptional Principal Industrial Systems Architect to join their pioneering team. This fully remote position is responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing the implementation of complex, integrated industrial systems that drive efficiency and innovation for our clients worldwide. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in industrial control systems, IoT integration, data architecture, and scalable enterprise solutions. You will define the technical vision and strategic direction for advanced industrial technology deployments, ensuring robust, secure, and high-performance systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and design scalable, secure, and resilient industrial systems, encompassing hardware, software, networking, and data integration.
• Define the technical roadmap and standards for industrial IoT (IIoT) platforms, including sensor integration, data acquisition, and cloud connectivity.
• Lead the technical design and specification of complex automation solutions for diverse industrial applications.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, platforms, and vendors to meet system requirements and business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to engineering teams throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Ensure systems comply with industry-specific standards, cybersecurity best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive architectural documentation, including diagrams, specifications, and technical guidelines.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including clients, project managers, and development teams, to understand requirements and translate them into effective system designs.
• Identify emerging technologies and trends in industrial automation and IIoT, assessing their potential impact and applicability.
• Oversee proof-of-concept initiatives and pilot projects to validate architectural approaches and new technologies.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in designing and implementing complex industrial systems, with a significant focus on architecture.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial control systems (PLCs, DCS), SCADA, HMI, and industrial networking protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC UA, Profinet).
• Deep understanding of IIoT concepts, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS IoT, Azure IoT), and data analytics in industrial contexts.
• Proven experience in cybersecurity principles for industrial environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence architectural decisions.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with systems modeling and simulation tools.
• Familiarity with various industrial sectors (e.g., manufacturing, energy, logistics) is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a premium salary and potential for significant bonuses based on project success and strategic impact. Comprehensive benefits include top-tier health insurance, generous retirement contributions, and flexible working arrangements to support this fully remote role. This position provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, innovation, and shaping the future of industrial technology from anywhere, including your home base near Upington, Northern Cape.