MES Architect

• Contract: Initial 6-week contract (with potential extension)

• Location: Hybrid - (3 days per week onsite) / Remote

• Client: Leading Infrastructure & Construction Programme

• Rate: £700 - 740 p/d outside IR35

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Manufacturing Architect to help define the future-state digital manufacturing platform for one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes.

This is a strategic design role rather than an implementation post. You will work closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, enterprise architects, and technology partners to develop the high-level architecture, evaluate different solution options, and establish the roadmap for the next phase of delivery.

• Lead the manufacturing systems architecture workstream within the high-level design phase.

• Gather and validate core manufacturing business requirements.

• Work alongside the Manufacturing, Operations, IT, and Digital teams to map out current and future processes.

• Develop high-level solution architectures for digital manufacturing capabilities.

• Define the logical architecture across Manufacturing Execution, Production Planning, Quality, Inventory, Logistics, and Engineering.

• Help build the manufacturing capability model and define end-to-end data flows.

• Assess enterprise platform options alongside specialist manufacturing solutions.

• Evaluate integration methods between MES, ERP, PLM, Scheduling, Quality, and shop-floor systems.

• Identify solution risks, assumptions, dependencies, and constraints.

• Support technology option assessments and vendor workshops.

• Produce clear architecture documentation, decision papers, and presentations for senior leadership.

• Contribute to the Executive Decision Gate to recommend the preferred strategic direction.

• Substantial experience delivering manufacturing or MES architecture within complex organisations.

• Strong understanding of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and modern manufacturing concepts.

• Proven track record of defining enterprise-level manufacturing architectures.

• Solid knowledge of ISA-95 standards and manufacturing system integration principles.

• Experience integrating Manufacturing, ERP, and Engineering systems.

• Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders across both business and IT.

• Strong facilitation and workshop leadership skills.

• Experience producing clear architecture documentation suitable for executive governance.

Experience with one or more of the following systems:

• SAP Digital Manufacturing / SAP ME/MII

• Siemens Opcenter

• DELMIA Apriso

• AVEVA MES

• Tulip

• Rockwell FactoryTalk

• Ignition

• AspenTech

• GE Proficy

• PTC ThingWorx

Knowledge of:

• SAP S/4HANA & PLM

• Manufacturing data platforms and connected data flows

• Azure & Microsoft Power Platform

• Industrial IoT & factory automation

• Integration platforms

• A strategic thinker who can balance practical business needs with technical considerations.

• Comfortable working with ambiguity and helping to shape a clear direction.

• Collaborative, pragmatic, and outcome-focused.

• Clear written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to executives.

You will contribute directly to the following outcomes:

• Manufacturing capability assessment

• Manufacturing solution architecture

• High-level design documentation

• Technology options assessment

• Integration architecture

• Requirements traceability matrix

• Executive Decision Gate documentation

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