Freelance Hardware Leader

Our client, a global leader in energy management and automation, is seeking an experienced Industrial PC / Hardware Architect to lead the design, strategy, and innovation of industrial PC and hardware systems. This role requires a balance of deep technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership to drive technology excellence, shape long-term architecture strategies, and influence organizational direction.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical & Strategic

Drive technical excellence as a technology leader in the field of Industrial PCs and hardware systems.

Define and guide product and system architectures, ensuring clarity of intent for designers and developers.

Develop and execute architecture strategies with a 2–5 year vision, promoting platform-based approaches and strategic partnerships.

Design and maintain reusable reference architectures (e.g., System on Module) applicable across multiple products.

Market & External Collaboration

Analyze market trends, competitor strategies, and value chains to inform strategic planning.

Collaborate with suppliers, standardization bodies, and industry forums to strengthen partnerships and share expertise.

Organizational Influence

Lead architecture strategy at the Business Unit (BU) level, influencing overall technical direction.

Provide mentorship and architectural guidance to internal design and engineering teams, ensuring consistency and knowledge sharing.

Skills Required

Electronics Hardware: PCB design, circuit design, power supply design, EMC countermeasures.

Embedded Systems & Industrial PC Architecture: Strong knowledge of system design and standardized interfaces (Ethernet, USB, PCI-Express, etc.).

System Architecture: Proven experience designing reference architectures, modular systems, and platform strategies.

Technology Strategy & Roadmapping: Ability to formulate and implement mid- to long-term strategies (2–5 years).

Standards & Compliance: Familiarity with international standards (IEC, ISO) and industry-specific regulations.

Development Processes & Tools: Experience with systems engineering methodologies (SysML, MBSE), CAD/EDA tools, and simulation software.

Software Knowledge (Basic): BIOS, Windows/Linux OS, and hardware drivers.

Soft Skills

Leadership: Ability to lead technical/project teams and mentor engineers.

Communication: Strong ability to explain technical concepts to diverse stakeholders; skilled in negotiation and supplier collaboration; fluent in Business English.

Strategic Thinking: Ability to align business goals with technical strategies; strong decision-making skills.

Innovation Mindset: Proactive in adopting emerging technologies, promoting open innovation, and engaging in external conferences/standardization initiatives.