MI Solutions Architect I

About the Role

DIS-TRAN Steel is looking to add a MI Solutions Architect I to the team at our location in Ruston, LA. The MI Solutions Architect I designs scalable, secure, and maintainable technical architectures that guide how Manufacturing Intelligence (MI) solutions are built and integrated across systems and environments. This role focuses on solution design, technical strategy, and governance. The MI Solutions Architect I translates business and functional requirements into architecture frameworks, standards, data flows, integration strategies, and system designs. This position serves as the primary technical authority for assigned projects and guides implementation teams in delivering consistent, reliable, and high-quality solutions.

What You'll Do

Business Partnership

• Participate in architecture workshops, technical planning sessions, design reviews, and project discussions
• Collaborate with IT, engineering, operations, software development, and implementation teams
• Gather and evaluate business, functional, technical, security, data, and integration requirements
• Present proposed architecture designs and technical recommendations to project stakeholders
• Explain complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Build stakeholder confidence through collaboration, sound judgment, and well-supported technical recommendations

Solution Architecture and Delivery

• Develop technical architectures from business requirements and functional specifications
• Create architecture diagrams, system designs, data flows, interface requirements, and integration strategies
• Translate requirements into scalable, secure, testable, and maintainable technical solutions
• Evaluate technical alternatives and recommend solutions based on scalability, cybersecurity, maintainability, reliability, cost, and enterprise standards
• Ensure architectural designs align with established enterprise standards, governance requirements, and integration strategies
• Provide architectural direction and technical guidance throughout the project lifecycle
• Support software development, system implementation, integration activities, validation, deployment, and technical troubleshooting

Integration and Data Architecture

• Design enterprise integrations and data architectures connecting MI platforms with ERP systems, historians, SCADA platforms, PLCs, databases, cloud environments, and industrial devices
• Define secure communication and integration approaches using REST APIs, MQTT, OPC UA, and other applicable protocols
• Define data flows, system boundaries, interface requirements, and information-exchange patterns
• Guide database, application, platform, and integration design decisions
• Support the resolution of complex architecture, integration, deployment, and system-performance issues

Architecture Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure architectures support maintainability, testability, CI/CD practices, cybersecurity, and long-term system reliability
• Participate in system validation, architecture reviews, technical reviews, and release-readiness activities
• Identify opportunities to improve reusable architecture frameworks, design patterns, integration methods, and technical standards
• Develop and maintain architecture documentation, technical standards, diagrams, and supporting design materials
• Support technical risk identification, project planning, and resolution of architecture-related issues
• Maintain awareness of relevant emerging technologies, industrial practices, and Manufacturing Intelligence developments

Leadership and Technical Guidance

• Serve as the primary technical authority for assigned projects
• Lead the technical design of assigned solutions and guide implementation teams in applying approved architectures
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to specialists and other project team members
• Promote consistent application of architecture, integration, coding, documentation, security, testing, and deployment standards
• Support the professional development of team members through coaching and knowledge sharing
• Exercise sound judgment when evaluating technical alternatives, risks, dependencies, and architectural tradeoffs

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, information technology, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience
• Approximately eight or more years of relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated experience designing technical architectures
• Strong foundation in software design, system integration, data architecture, and overall systems design
• Experience working with cloud platforms, databases, manufacturing environments, and industrial systems
• Strong solution-design and technical-architecture capabilities
• Ability to translate business and functional requirements into scalable technical architectures
• Ability to create architecture diagrams, data flows, interface specifications, and integration strategies
• Solid understanding of integrations involving ERP systems, SCADA platforms, PLCs, historians, databases, MES applications, and cloud environments
• Knowledge of data architecture and communication protocols, including REST APIs, MQTT, and OPC UA
• Ability to lead technical design activities and serve as the technical authority for assigned projects
• Ability to evaluate technical alternatives and communicate related risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs
• Ability to provide architectural direction and technical guidance to delivery teams
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across business and technical teams

Preferred Technology Experience

• Ignition
• Microsoft SQL Server
• PostgreSQL
• Microsoft Azure
• Docker
• GitHub
• Python
• Java
• JavaScript
• REST APIs
• OPC UA
• MQTT
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• SCADA platforms
• Historian platforms
• ERP systems
• CI/CD platforms
• Industrial networking technologies

Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Business Insight
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Courage
• Instills Trust
• Manages Ambiguity
• Strategic Mindset
• Ensures Accountability
• Develops Talent
• Builds Effective Teams
• Drives Vision and Purpose
• Process Development & Improvement

Why Join DIS-TRAN Steel?

This is an opportunity to lead a critical function in a manufacturing environment where accuracy, process improvement, operational discipline, and strong decision-making make a measurable difference. You will have the opportunity to strengthen systems, improve material flow, develop supplier performance, support production success, and help build scalable supply chain infrastructure for continued growth. As strategists, operational experts, customer advocates and team players, we all believe in the power of our people. Explore how you can become a part of our team of strength and commitment that's built to last!