Senior Industrial Systems Architect - IoT & Automation

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Pension plan

Performance bonuses

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, seeks a Principal Industrial Systems Architect to design, develop and oversee advanced automation of industrial systems across manufacturing environments. The role demands deep expertise in PLC/SCADA, MES/ERP integration, IIoT, data analytics, and cybersecurity, with 12+ years in leadership.

You will collaborate with R&D, IT and operations to deliver scalable, reliable architectures.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in industrial systems design, automation, and architecture, with leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in industrial control systems (PLCs, SCADA), MES, ERP integration, and data historians.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet) and cybersecurity for industrial environments.
• Proven experience with IIoT platforms, cloud integration, and data analytics in manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to architect complex, scalable, and resilient industrial systems.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities, with the capacity to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working within the South African industrial context, particularly in Gauteng, is valued.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of integrated industrial systems, including automation, control and MES.
• Develop system blueprints, specifications, and roadmaps.
• Evaluate hardware, software, and networking technologies for industrial use.
• Ensure designs meet industry standards, best practices, and security protocols.
• Oversee integration with existing infrastructure and data flow.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and clients to define requirements.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the lifecycle from conception to deployment.
• Perform risk assessments and feasibility studies for proposed architectures.
• Stay updated on IIoT, AI, and data analytics and assess applicability.
• Maintain documentation for architectures and procedures.
• Mentor junior engineers and architects.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and implement solutions.

Skills

Industrial Systems Architecture

Industrial Automation

IIoT platforms

MES/ERP integration

Cybersecurity for IIoT

Leadership

Project Management

Data analytics

Networking protocols

Cloud integration

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Industrial/Computer/Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

PLC

SCADA

Job description

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, seeks a Principal Industrial Systems Architect to design, develop and oversee advanced automation of industrial systems across manufacturing environments. The role demands deep expertise in PLC/SCADA, MES/ERP integration, IIoT, data analytics, and cybersecurity, with 12+ years in leadership.

You will collaborate with R&D, IT and operations to deliver scalable, reliable architectures.