Key Objectives of the Role
1. Identify what machine and process data already exists within PLCs and control systems
2. Establish safe, read‑only access to that data
3. Lay the foundations for a centralised cloud data lake
4. Enable reliable data visualisation and reporting as the next phase
5. De‑risk future analytics, SPC, and optimisation initiatives
Key Responsibilities
1. PLC & Shop‑Floor Connectivity
6. Assess production equipment and identify:PLC make, model, and generation ( Siemens S7, Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron)Available communication protocols (OPC UA/DA, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
7. Work with maintenance and controls teams to:Confirm Ethernet availabilityIdentify safe read‑only data access options
8. Document machine connectivity constraints and opportunities
2. Data Discovery & Availability Assessment
9. Identify what process data is present at PLC level, including:Machine states (run/stop/fault/idle)Cycle counts and ratesFault and alarm codesSetpoints vs actual valuesKey process variables ( temperature, pressure, speed)
10. Distinguish between:PLC‑resident dataHMI‑only or report‑level data
11. Create a clear data availability matrix by line and asset
3. OT / IT Security & Access Alignment
12. Assess OT and IT constraints impacting data access
13. Ensure all connectivity approaches are:Read‑onlyNon‑intrusiveAligned with OT safety principles
14. Work with IT to align on:Network segmentationFirewall rulesCloud connectivity patterns
4. Cloud Data Lake Foundations (Next Phase Readiness)
15. Contribute to the design of a cloud-based data lake capable of ingesting:PLC and machine telemetryERP, batch, and quality data (later phases)
16. Define:Raw vs curated data layersNaming standards and timestamp handlingBasic data validation and quality rules
17. Ensure shop‑floor data is structured for downstream use (SPC, reporting, analytics)
5. Data Visualisation Enablement
18. Support the transition from raw data to meaningful visualisation, including:Line and machine status dashboardsThroughput, waste, and energy viewsEarly OEE-style metrics
19. Work with analysts or BI developers ( Power BI) to ensure:Data models align with manufacturing realitiesMetrics are traceable back to source signals
6. Advisory & Roadmap Support
20. Provide practical recommendations on:Which lines/assets to prioritiseWhere quick wins existWhat should be phased later
21. Help define a realistic roadmap from:Connectivity → data lake → visualisation → SPC → advanced analytics
Required Experience & Skills
Essential
22. Strong Experience in manufacturing environments
23. Hands‑on knowledge of PLCs and industrial control systems
24. Experience working with industrial data protocols:OPC UA / OPC DAModbusProfinet / EtherNet/IP
25. Practical understanding of OT safety and read‑only access principles
26. Experience contributing to or designing cloud data platforms, such as:Azure Data Lake / Fabric / Databricks (or equivalent)
27. Ability to translate shop‑floor data into structured, analytics‑ready datasets
28. Comfortable working on‑site with operators, engineers, and IT
Desirable
29. Experience with industrial edge platforms ( Kepware, Ignition, IoT Edge)
30. Familiarity with manufacturing KPIs (OEE, yield, waste, energy)
31. Experience supporting Power BI or similar BI tools
32. Exposure to SPC or quality analytics (not mandatory)
33. Consulting or advisory Experience in brownfield manufacturing sites
Job Title: Architect
Location: Peterborough, UK
Job Type: Contract
Trading as TEKsystems. Allegis Group Limited, Maxis 2, Western Road, Bracknell, RG12 1RT, United Kingdom. No. 2876353. Allegis Group Limited operates as an Employment Business and Employment Agency as set out in the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003. TEKsystems is a company within the Allegis Group network of companies (collectively referred to as "Allegis Group"). Aerotek, Aston Carter, EASi, Talentis Solutions, TEKsystems, Stamford Consultants and The Stamford Group are Allegis Group brands.