Software Architect WCS

WCS Software Architect

Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Software Architect to play a key role in shaping and evolving a mission-critical Warehouse Control System (WCS) used in highly automated logistics environments. This platform sits at the heart of real-time operations, orchestrating material flow across conveyor systems, integrating with PLC controls, robotics (AMR/AGV), and upstream enterprise platforms such as WMS and ERP.

This is a highly technical position where you will set architectural direction, make critical design decisions, and remain close to the code and engineering challenges . You will work alongside an existing architecture function to scale capability as the platform transitions to a modern .NET / Blazor-based ecosystem from its current Python/Django foundation.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Define and evolve the architecture across application, data, messaging, and deployment layers
• Lead the design of complex features and subsystems, producing clear design artefacts and architecture documentation (including ADRs)
• Make key technical decisions across persistence, messaging, caching, and integration patterns
• Ensure solutions meet non-functional requirements including performance, scalability, availability, and security
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues, including concurrency, bottlenecks, and integration failures

Systems Integration

• Own and define integration patterns between the WCS platform and external systems including PLCs, WMS, ERP, and robotics platforms
• Design robust, scalable messaging and API-based interfaces
• Ensure resilience through clear contract definitions, error handling, and recovery strategies
• Support emulation and pre-deployment validation approaches to reduce risk

Client-Facing & Delivery Support

• Act as a technical authority in client workshops, design reviews, FAT/SAT, and commissioning phases
• Provide support during go-live activities, including system tuning, troubleshooting, and stabilisation
• Collaborate with delivery and project teams to ensure integration success
• Maintain a calm, solution-focused approach in high-pressure live environments

Technology Strategy & Governance

• Contribute to architectural standards, coding guidelines, and design governance
• Evaluate new tools and technologies, making evidence-based recommendations
• Ensure alignment between business requirements, architecture decisions, and delivered solutions
• Drive best practices across performance, observability, and system resilience

Collaboration & Mentoring

• Work closely with product, development, test, and controls engineering teams
• Provide visibility of architectural direction, risks, and readiness to stakeholders
• Mentor and support engineers, raising overall technical capability within the team
• Promote a culture of high-quality engineering and continuous improvement

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience as a Software Architect or a senior/lead engineer stepping into architecture
• Strong expertise in C# / .NET and modern application development practices
• Experience designing distributed systems, microservices, and high-performance applications
• Solid background in system integration (APIs, messaging, event-driven architecture)
• Exposure to industrial systems, warehouse automation, WCS/WMS, or similar environments
• Experience working with PLCs, robotics, or real-time control systems (desirable)
• Knowledge of CI/CD, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes), and Linux-based environments
• Strong problem-solving ability, with experience in performance tuning and scalability challenges
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Working Environment

• Fully remote role with flexibility in working patterns
• Involvement in occasional onsite activities during key project phases such as system go-lives and commissioning
• Collaborative, engineering-led environment focused on delivering high-quality, real-world solutions
• Opportunity to work on a platform undergoing significant modernisation and growth

What We're Looking For

• A hands-on technical leader who takes ownership of architectural outcomes
• Someone pragmatic, detail-oriented, and confident in making decisions
• A strong collaborator who can work across disciplines and teams
• An individual who can balance long-term architectural vision with delivery priorities
• A professional who thrives in complex, real-time, integration-heavy environments

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