Solution Architect – Sorting Systems

Start Date: Immediate

Location: Brussels (Hybrid)

What will you do?

As a Solution Architect for Sorting Systems, you will shape the end-to-end architecture of next-generation sorting platforms—combining industrial automation, operational technology (OT), IT systems, and real-time operational environments. You will work at the intersection of sorting equipment, automation suppliers, SCADA/MES/PLC systems, integration platforms, and enterprise IT, ensuring sorting solutions are reliable, maintainable, secure, and optimized for 24/7 operational continuity.

In this role, you will collaborate with engineering, operations, logistics, network & security teams, and external automation vendors to translate business and operational requirements into robust, scalable architectures for sorting centers. You will define architectural standards, guide solution choices, ensure system interoperability, and support teams throughout the full lifecycle—from concept to operational handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Architectural Leadership: Design end-to-end architectures for sorting systems covering automation layers, real-time control, SCADA, IT applications, and integration with enterprise platforms. Ensure sorting solutions meet operational needs for throughput, reliability, maintainability, latency, and resilience. Define and enforce standards and patterns for OT–IT integration, including data flows, protocols, security, and lifecycle management. Identify opportunities to modernize platforms (e.g., modularization, telemetry, predictive maintenance, digital twins).
• Solution Engineering & Technical Guidance: Provide hands-on solution design across SCADA, PLC/ICS, sorting equipment controllers, APIs, data capture systems, monitoring, and dashboards. Review vendor and internal designs to guarantee they meet requirements for safety, uptime, cyber-security, and operational performance. Guide architectural decisions around real-time data acquisition, event processing, equipment integration, and system decomposition. Support the adoption of modern automation concepts (edge computing, modular OT, containerized services where appropriate).
• Collaboration with Operations, Engineering & Infrastructure: Partner closely with logistics operations, maintenance teams, automation vendors, and IT infrastructure/security. Ensure sorting solutions follow security and network guidelines (ICS segmentation, OT security controls, patching, remote access, etc.). Facilitate architecture reviews, solution workshops, and integration/acceptance testing. Align with Infra & Ops teams on monitoring, telemetry, backup/restore, versioning, and incident response for OT systems.
• Operational Excellence & Delivery Support: Support teams during equipment commissioning, operational readiness, go-live, and hyper-care. Contribute to incident and root cause analysis for sorting systems, identifying long-term improvements. Define and refine runbooks, operational dashboards, alarms/alerts, and real-time performance KPIs. Ensure solutions meet requirements for safety, regulatory compliance, fault tolerance, and business continuity.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Track emerging trends in automation, logistics systems, industrial IoT, and real-time operations. Promote best practices in modular automation, sensor integration, data-driven operations, and predictive maintenance. Coach teams, share knowledge, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across IT and OT.

Who are you?

Experience & Qualifications:

• 8–10+ years in solution architecture, industrial automation, OT/SCADA systems, real-time control systems, or complex operational environments.
• Hands-on experience working with sorting systems, conveyors, robotics, PLCs, SCADA, MES, or similar automation platforms.
• Strong background in systems integration, operational reliability, industrial networks, and/or operations-heavy environments.
• Experience integrating OT platforms with enterprise IT, data services, APIs, or event-driven systems.

Technical Skills:

• Solid knowledge of SCADA systems, PLCs/ICS, industrial protocols (Modbus, OPC-UA, MQTT, etc.).
• Understanding of OT cyber-security, segmented industrial networks, access control, and monitoring.
• Experience with real-time operations, redundancy patterns, failover designs, and latency-critical architecture.
• Familiarity with IT integration patterns: APIs, microservices, message buses, event streaming, etc.
• Understanding of data ingestion, OEE, telemetry, and operational dashboards.
• Experience with containerization or edge computing is a plus (not mandatory).

Soft Skills:

• Strong communication skills with an ability to bridge IT, OT, engineering, and operations.
• Able to lead by influence and build consensus across diverse teams.
• Analytical, pragmatic, and comfortable making architecture decisions in high-stakes operational environments.
• Hands-on and comfortable interacting with technical and operational teams on the shop floor.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in postal/logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, or 24/7 industrial operations.
• Knowledge of sorting systems, warehouse automation, robotics, or industrial automation lifecycle management.
• Cyber-security certifications or experience in securing industrial environments.
• Experience with Agile/SAFe environments.