Senior Principal Architect, Industry 4.0 & Digital Manufacturing

Job Role: Senior Principal Architect, Industry 4.0 & Digital Manufacturing Location: Columbus, IN (Remote Initial Travel) Job Description: As the Senior Principal Architect for Industry 4.0 at client, you will be a strategic leader responsible for architecting and driving the digital transformation of our global manufacturing operations. You will leverage your deep techno-functional expertise to design and implement robust, scalable, and secure solutions spanning the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud data platforms, and advanced manufacturing applications. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Client’s manufacturing by delivering end-to-end visibility, enhancing operational efficiency, and enabling data-driven decision-making across the enterprise. Key Responsibilities Strategic Architecture & Leadership: • Define, assess, and champion Client’s global Industry 4.0 architecture strategies, standards, and roadmaps, ensuring alignment with corporate business goals. • Act as a change agent, promoting the adoption of modern methodologies like Agile and DevOps, as well as cloud-first and API-first principles across manufacturing IT. • Provide technical and functional leadership, mentoring junior architects and engineers to build a strong internal competency in Industry 4.0 technologies. End-to-End Traceability: • Architect and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive end-to-end traceability system, encompassing material and component-level tracking from supplier to customer. • Design and govern data models for real-time visibility and context, ensuring the integrity of a complete "digital thread" across the manufacturing lifecycle. • Define integration strategies for diverse systems, including OT (e.g., SCADA, PLCs) and IT (e.g., MES, ERP) to enable seamless data flow for traceability. Unified Namespace (UNS) & Data Platform: • Lead the design and implementation of a Unified Namespace (UNS) and industrial data model to standardize and contextualize operational data across all manufacturing sites. • Architect and deliver the IIoT cloud data platform, including data ingestion pipelines, storage solutions, and data lake/warehouse architectures. • Establish data governance and quality frameworks, including metadata management and data lineage, to ensure reliable data for all applications. Operational Excellence (OEE) and Analytics: • Develop a robust, real-time Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) monitoring and optimization solution by integrating shop-floor data with enterprise-level analytics. • Utilize advanced analytics and AI/ML to identify and improve areas of operational inefficiency, maximizing asset utilization and productivity. Predictive Maintenance (PdM): • Design and deploy AI/ML-based predictive maintenance solutions to anticipate equipment failures, minimize downtime, and optimize maintenance schedules. • Integrate data from IIoT sensors, control systems, and enterprise asset management (EAM) to build and refine predictive models. Techno-Functional Expertise & Stakeholder Management: • Act as a senior liaison between business stakeholders (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations) and technical teams, translating business needs into technical solutions. • Leverage deep domain knowledge of manufacturing processes to ensure that all digital solutions deliver tangible business value. • Manage stakeholder expectations, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Qualifications • Bachelor's or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. • 20+ years of experience in IT architecture, solution design, and program management, with a significant portion focused on manufacturing or industrial environments. • Proven experience in architecting and delivering complex Industry 4.0 projects from concept to deployment. • Deep expertise in IIoT platforms (e.g., Azure IoT Hub, AWS IoT Core) and cloud computing (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP). • Strong experience with industrial protocols (e.g., OPC-UA, MQTT) and data modeling for manufacturing. • Demonstrated knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies, including MES, ERP integration, and digital twin concepts. • Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Desired Skills • Certifications in relevant cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Certified Solution Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert) or architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF). • Knowledge of ISA 95, Edge Computing • Experience in implementation and execution of Industry 4.0 project for Operational Excellence • Experience with AI/ML integration in manufacturing applications, including Generative AI concepts. • Prior experience in the automotive or engine manufacturing industry is a plus. • Knowledge of cybersecurity and data governance best practices in an industrial setting. • Manufacturing Discrete Industry thought leadership. Apply tot his job