Job Description
Key Objectives of the Role
* Identify what machine and process data already exists within PLCs and control systems
* Establish safe, read-only access to that data
* Lay the foundations for a centralised cloud data lake
* Enable reliable data visualisation and reporting as the next phase
* De-risk future analytics, SPC, and optimisation initiatives
Key Responsibilities
1. PLC & Shop-Floor Connectivity
* Assess production equipment and identify:
o PLC make, model, and generation (eg Siemens S7, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron)
o Available communication protocols (OPC UA/DA, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
* Work with maintenance and controls teams to:
o Confirm Ethernet availability
o Identify safe read-only data access options
* Document machine connectivity constraints and opportunities
2. Data Discovery & Availability Assessment
* Identify what process data is present at PLC level, including:
o Machine states (run/stop/fault/idle)
o Cycle counts and rates
o Fault and alarm codes
o Setpoints vs actual values
o Key process variables (eg temperature, pressure, speed)
* Distinguish between:
o PLC-resident data
o HMI-only or report-level data
* Create a clear data availability Matrix by line and asset
3. OT/IT Security & Access Alignment
* Assess OT and IT constraints impacting data access
* Ensure all connectivity approaches are:
o Read-only
o Non-intrusive
o Aligned with OT safety principles
* Work with IT to align on:
o Network segmentation
o Firewall rules
o Cloud connectivity patterns
4. Cloud Data Lake Foundations (Next Phase Readiness)
* Contribute to the design of a cloud-based data lake capable of ingesting:
o PLC and machine telemetry
o ERP, batch, and quality data (later phases)
* Define:
o Raw vs curated data layers
o Naming standards and timestamp handling
o Basic data validation and quality rules
* Ensure shop-floor data is structured for downstream use (SPC, reporting, analytics)
5. Data Visualisation Enablement
* Support the transition from raw data to meaningful visualisation, including:
o Line and machine status dashboards
o Throughput, waste, and energy views
o Early OEE-style metrics
* Work with analysts or BI developers (eg Power BI) to ensure:
o Data models align with manufacturing realities
o Metrics are traceable back to source signals
6. Advisory & Roadmap Support
* Provide practical recommendations on:
o Which lines/assets to prioritise
o Where quick wins exist
o What should be phased later
* Help define a realistic roadmap from:
o Connectivity - data lake - visualisation - SPC - advanced analytics
Required Experience & Skills Essential
* Strong Experience in manufacturing environments
* Hands-on knowledge of PLCs and industrial control systems
* Experience working with industrial data protocols:
o OPC UA/OPC DA
o Modbus
o Profinet/EtherNet/IP
* Practical understanding of OT safety and read-only access principles
* Experience contributing to or designing cloud data platforms, such as:
o Azure Data Lake/Fabric/Databricks (or equivalent)
* Ability to translate shop-floor data into structured, analytics-ready datasets
* Comfortable working on-site with operators, engineers, and IT
Desirable
* Experience with industrial edge platforms (eg Kepware, Ignition, IoT Edge)
* Familiarity with manufacturing KPIs (OEE, yield, waste, energy)
* Experience supporting Power BI or similar BI tools
* Exposure to SPC or quality analytics (not mandatory)
* Consulting or advisory Experience in brownfield manufacturing sites
Job Title: Architect
Location: Peterborough, UK
Job Type: Contract
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