MES Architect at Randstad Digital, Dartford, £800/day (Outside IR35)

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Architect

Rate: £800/day (Outside IR35)
Duration: April 2026 - March 2027
Location: 3 days a week site-based in Dartford (Hybrid)

Overview

We are seeking a MES Architect to lead the strategic design and delivery of our Manufacturing Execution capabilities. This is a pivotal role acting as the bridge between Operational Technology (OT) and enterprise-level IT. You will be responsible for defining the blueprint that connects our shop floor operations to our broader digital ecosystem, ensuring a seamless, data-driven manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Capability Ownership: Act as the primary architect and subject matter expert (SME) for the MES domain, defining the roadmap for manufacturing digital transformation.
• OT Ecosystem Governance: Lead the architectural design for OT-aligned systems, including the integration of Operational Technology Enterprise Asset Management (OT EAM) solutions.
• Systems Integration: Ensure robust alignment and data continuity between the MES layer, ERP systems (SAP/Oracle), middleware/integration layers, and shop floor hardware (PLC/SCADA).
• Vendor Selection & Implementation: Provide technical leadership during the RFI/RFP process, evaluating vendor capabilities against business requirements and overseeing the subsequent implementation phases.
• Operational Excellence: Standardize manufacturing workflows to ensure scalability across multiple production sites while maintaining high availability and security standards.

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven Architecture Pedigree: Extensive experience in designing and delivering large-scale MES/MOM (Manufacturing Operations Management) solutions within complex industrial environments.
• Shop Floor Fluency: A deep technical understanding of manufacturing processes, including ISA-95 standards and the nuances of shop floor system hardware.
• Enterprise Integration Expertise: Demonstrated success in integrating MES with enterprise platforms (ERP, PLM, and WMS) to create a 'Unified Namespace' or similar seamless data architecture.
• Stakeholder Leadership: The ability to communicate complex technical architectures to both C-suite executives and shop floor operators, balancing business value with technical feasibility.

Technical Skills

• Expertise in leading MES platforms (e.g., Rockwell FactoryTalk, Siemens Opcenter, Aveva, or Apriso).
• Strong grasp of IIoT protocols (MQTT, OPC-UA) and API-led connectivity.
• Knowledge of EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) within an industrial context.

Note: This is a 12-month contract starting in April 2026, requiring a consultant who can hit the ground running to align our manufacturing systems with the next generation of industrial automation.

Randstad Technologies is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.