Job Description:

An established and growing automation specialist is seeking an experienced Software Architect to lead the design and development of complex, integrated software platforms.

The organisation delivers sophisticated automation solutions that connect enterprise applications, operational software, real-time data and physical equipment. Its projects support demanding operational environments where reliability, scalability, security and system availability are essential.

This position would suit a hands-on architect with strong expertise across C#/.NET, Python and Django. Experience within warehouse automation, intralogistics or material handling would be particularly valuable. However, candidates from industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing, logistics technology, pharmaceutical automation and other equipment-connected software environments are also encouraged to apply.

This is not a purely strategic or enterprise architecture position. The successful candidate will remain close to software design and delivery, providing practical technical leadership to development teams while defining a scalable, long-term architectural approach.

• Define the software architecture for complex automation and systems integration projects.
• Design scalable, secure and maintainable applications using C#/.NET, Python and Django.
• Establish clear architectural standards, design principles and technology roadmaps.
• Translate customer, operational and engineering requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Design platforms that integrate business applications, databases, automation systems, third-party products and physical equipment.
• Define service boundaries, APIs, data flows, interface specifications and integration patterns.
• Produce architecture diagrams, technical designs, data models and supporting documentation.
• Design distributed, event-driven and service-based software solutions.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the full software development lifecycle.
• Support software engineers with design decisions, code structure, technical challenges and complex integrations.
• Conduct architecture, design and code reviews to ensure solutions meet agreed standards.
• Remain hands-on through technical prototyping, proof-of-concept development and problem-solving.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, integration challenges and potential performance issues.
• Establish standards covering security, resilience, scalability, testing, maintainability and observability.
• Work closely with software engineers, controls engineers, automation specialists, project managers and external technology partners.
• Provide technical input during customer discussions, requirements workshops and project planning.
• Support the investigation and resolution of complex software and system integration issues.
• Help develop reusable software components and configurable platforms that can be deployed across multiple customer projects.
• Contribute to the modernisation of existing applications and the transition from legacy or monolithic systems where appropriate.
• Mentor engineers and encourage consistent, high-quality software engineering practices.

• Previous experience as a Software Architect, Solution Architect, Technical Architect, Principal Software Engineer or senior technical lead.
• Strong commercial software engineering experience using C# and .NET.
• Strong experience designing and developing production-grade applications using Python.
• Commercial experience with Django, including backend services, APIs or web-based applications.
• A track record of architecting complex, integrated software platforms rather than isolated applications.
• Strong understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns and system decomposition.
• Experience designing REST APIs, web services and interfaces between multiple systems.
• Knowledge of microservices, distributed systems and event-driven architectures.
• Experience with SQL databases, relational data modelling and handling operational data.
• Understanding of asynchronous messaging, system queues and service-to-service communication.
• Experience with cloud, on-premises or hybrid deployment models.
• Knowledge of containerisation technologies such as Docker.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, source control, automated testing and modern DevOps practices.
• Experience designing solutions with security, performance, resilience, scalability and supportability in mind.
• Ability to produce clear architecture diagrams, technical specifications and design documentation.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A willingness to remain hands-on and support engineering teams through delivery.

Experience within warehouse automation or intralogistics would be highly advantageous, including exposure to one or more of the following:

• Warehouse Control Systems (WCS)
• Warehouse Execution Systems (WES)
• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
• Automated storage and retrieval systems
• Conveyor, sortation and material handling systems
• Robotics or autonomous equipment
• Equipment orchestration and control
• Real-time monitoring and operational dashboards
• Integration between enterprise software and industrial equipment

Direct warehouse automation experience is not essential. Strong crossover candidates may come from:

• Industrial or factory automation
• Robotics and autonomous systems
• Manufacturing software
• Pharmaceutical automation
• Logistics and supply chain technology
• Parcel or postal sortation
• Airport baggage handling
• Automotive manufacturing
• Smart factories and Industrial IoT
• MES, SCADA or process control environments
• Transport or infrastructure systems
• Aerospace, defence or other mission-critical sectors

The most important consideration is experience architecting dependable software that integrates with physical systems, operational equipment, real-time processes or complex external platforms.

To find out more about Computer Futures please visit (url removed)

Computer Futures, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales