Tech Lead & Architect – MES

Role Overview

In this senior role, you will function as both Architect and Tech Lead for the MES domain. You will design the overall solution architecture, lead a team of ~10 developers, ensure timely delivery, champion manufacturing execution best practices and build system capabilities that enable our manufacturing plants to operate at world class levels. You will sit at the intersection of manufacturing operations, enterprise IT, software engineering and data analytics.

Key Responsibilities

• Solution Architecture & Ownership

o Define, document and own the architecture for the MES system: including shop floor data acquisition, work order execution, resource scheduling, downtime tracking, traceability, quality, integration with ERP/PLM/WMS/SCADA.

o Ensure the architecture is scalable, maintainable, secure, performance optimized, aligned with enterprise standards.

• Technical Leadership & Delivery

o Lead a team of approximately 10 software engineers (front-end, back-end, database, data analytics) allocate work, mentor, enforce coding standards, conduct peer reviews.

o Manage and own delivery of the MES solution: sprint planning, backlog grooming, daily stand ups, retrospectives, feature delivery, QA handover, deploy to production.

o Hands on when required: profile performance, resolve complex technical issues, prototype new features, support implementation.

• Manufacturing Domain & KPI Focus

o Bring deep experience in manufacturing execution systems (MES), including familiarity with manufacturing KPIs such as OEE, throughput, scrap/rework, downtime, traceability.

o Work closely with manufacturing operations, process engineering, quality, plant IT to translate process requirements into software solutions.

• Technology Stack & Practices

o Architect and lead development using Angular (frontend), .NET Core (backend, C#), Microsoft SQL Server (database) including schema design, stored procedures, performance tuning.

o Lead data analytics/big data initiatives: ingesting large volumes of shop floor data, enabling analytics dashboards and manufacturing KPI insights.

o Use Azure DevOps for version control, CI/CD pipelines, branch/merge strategies, automated builds/deployment, monitoring.

o Define and instil engineering best practices: coding standards, unit tests, integration tests, deployment automation, documentation.

• Team Management & Collaboration

o Mentor and develop the team: drive skill building, maintain high morale, monitor performance, coach on technical/domain topics.

o Lead scrum/agile rituals: sprint planning, daily stand ups, retrospective, demo meetings. Ensure delivery commitments are met.

o Communicate effectively to all levels: developers, QA, data engineers, manufacturing operations, senior management. Prepare and present weekly/monthly status reports (progress, risks, KPIs, team health).

• Stakeholder Management & Continuous Improvement

o Collaborate with manufacturing leadership, process engineering, enterprise systems, external vendors (if any) to ensure alignment and delivery of business value.

o Drive continuous improvement: identify technical debt, propose system enhancements, promote innovation (Industry 4.0, IIoT, OT/IT convergence).

o Ensure manufacturing systems are aligned with global best practices and plant landscape across locations (if multi plant).

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of professional experience in software development and delivery, with significant experience in (or around) manufacturing operations / MES systems.

• Proven track record of architecting and leading enterprise manufacturing execution/production systems (MES/MOM) and delivering them successfully in a manufacturing domain.

• Deep domain knowledge: manufacturing operations, production execution, shop floor systems, manufacturing KPIs (OEE, downtime, quality, traceability).

• Excellent proficiency in the following technology stack:

o Front end: Angular (recent versions)

o Back end: .NET Core (C#, web APIs)

o Database: Microsoft SQL Server (schema design, stored procedures, performance tuning)

• Big data / analytics experience: ingestion of manufacturing/OT data, enabling dashboards and KPI analytics.

• Solid experience with Azure DevOps: version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, branch management, deployments.

• Strong leadership: experience managing a team of 5~10 developers (or more), mentoring, allocating, reviewing work, guiding technical decisions.

• Agile/Scrum experience: able to lead scrum/Agile ceremonies and ensure sprint commitment and delivery.

• Excellent presentation, communication and stakeholder management skills – able to present to senior management, translate business/manufacturing speak into technical solutions, and vice versa.

• Passion for manufacturing, MES systems, digital transformation and ability to drive change.

• Educational background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science / Engineering / Information Systems or a manufacturing/industrial engineering discipline. Certifications in MES/MOM/ISA 95/MESA are a plus.

Preferred (But Not Mandatory)

• Experience with IIoT, machine/OT data integration (e.g., MQTT, OPC UA, SECS/GEM) and smart manufacturing initiatives.

• Experience working in multi plant, global manufacturing roll outs or implementations across countries.

• Cloud experience (Azure) with manufacturing data platforms and analytics.

• Prior vendor management or product vendor implementation experience in MES/MOM domain.

• Lean/continuous improvement or Six Sigma manufacturing mindset integrated into software delivery.

What We Offer

• A high visibility leadership role at Johnson Electric Chennai, driving a key manufacturing digital transformation initiative.

• Opportunity to architect and deliver the full MES stack, work closely with manufacturing operations and senior leadership, and truly impact real world manufacturing KPIs.

• Collaborative and forward thinking work zone with skilled professionals, modern technology stack and growth opportunities.

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with seniority and experience, along with standard benefits (to be discussed during interview).