Industrial Automation Solutions Architect

ABOUT THE JOB Position Title: Industrial Automation Solutions Architect Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Type: Full-time ABOUT PROVEN PROVEN is committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates and empowering its employees through continuous personal and professional development. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment built on mutual respect, innovation, and a healthy work-life balance. With a strong track record in recruitment, managed services, and workforce solutions, we take pride in being a trusted long-term partner in driving success for both our clients and our people. ABOUT THE CLIENT A leading automation organization delivering industrial automation, facility-management robotics, and AI-enabled solutions to factories and enterprises across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. The organization works with international technology partners to deliver tailored solutions that improve operational efficiency, productivity, and business performance. ABOUT THE ROLE The Industrial Automation Solutions Architect will be responsible for leading the development of industrial automation solutions by assessing customer requirements, identifying automation opportunities, designing solution concepts, and developing technical scopes and ROI cases. The role will also involve coordinating with international suppliers and system integrators to ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially viable, and aligned with customer requirements. The successful candidate will work closely with business development, sales, sourcing, customers, and international technology partners throughout the solution development and delivery process. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Conduct factory visits and technical assessments to understand production processes, material flows, equipment, cycle times, manpower, and operational challenges. • Lead automation assessments and identify opportunities across welding, painting, material handling, assembly, packaging, palletising, machine tending, and quality inspection. • Develop phased automation roadmaps based on feasibility, safety, operational impact, and ROI. • Evaluate industrial robots, collaborative robots, AGVs/AMRs, machine vision systems, and automated production equipment. • Develop automation concepts and solution architectures covering robotics, machinery, control systems, sensors, software, safety systems, and supporting infrastructure. • Define interfaces with existing machines, production lines, ERP, MES, and WMS systems. • Prepare process-flow diagrams, system layouts, preliminary designs, and technical documentation. • Develop detailed scopes of work, technical specifications, performance requirements, deliverables, and acceptance criteria. • Prepare RFQ packages and technical requirements for international manufacturers and system integrators. • Work with international suppliers, primarily in China, to evaluate technical capabilities, proposals, equipment selections, and solution designs. • Lead technical discussions with suppliers and support supplier evaluations, factory audits, and factory acceptance testing. • Develop technical proposal content, including solution descriptions, layouts, assumptions, exclusions, implementation plans, and ROI/payback models. • Present automation solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders and lead customer workshops, demonstrations, and proof-of-concept activities. • Support project handover, design reviews, FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, training, and final acceptance. • Ensure delivered solutions meet agreed technical, functional, and performance requirements. • Maintain technical templates, assessment frameworks, scopes of work, supplier evaluations, and project documentation. • Monitor developments in industrial robotics, automation, machine vision, AI, and smart manufacturing technologies. • Support the development of the company's industrial automation portfolio and identify technologies relevant to Saudi industrial customers. REQUIREMENTS Education / Qualification • Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Automation & Control, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field. Experience • Minimum 8 years of experience across two or more areas such as industrial automation, robotics system integration, factory automation, manufacturing engineering, automation solution design, industrial project engineering, technical pre-sales, or production-line integration. • Broad experience across multiple industrial automation applications, including robotics, material handling, packaging, welding, machine vision, assembly, or production-line automation. • Experience assessing factory processes and developing automation solutions based on operational requirements. • Experience developing technical scopes, specifications, RFQs, solution designs, and ROI/business cases. • Experience evaluating supplier proposals and working with international manufacturers or system integrators. • Experience supporting project delivery, commissioning, FAT, and SAT. Preferred Experience • Experience delivering industrial automation projects in Saudi Arabia. • Experience working directly with Chinese manufacturers or system integrators. • Experience developing phased factory automation master plans and roadmaps. • Experience in factory assessments, process studies, and automated production-line design. • Experience with technical supplier evaluations and factory audits. • Experience across industries such as FMCG, food & beverage, cosmetics, packaging, logistics, automotive, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or general manufacturing. Technical Skills • Strong working knowledge of industrial robots and collaborative robots. • Good understanding of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems. • Knowledge of machine vision, quality inspection systems, AGVs, and AMRs. • Understanding of welding, painting, assembly, packaging, palletising, machine tending, and material handling applications. • Knowledge of sensors, actuators, servo systems, and industrial communication protocols. • Understanding of industrial safety systems, risk assessments, and manufacturing processes. • Strong understanding of system integration, commissioning, technical drawings, layouts, and process diagrams. • Familiarity with CAD, simulation, digital-twin, or robotics programming tools is an advantage. Attributes • Strong ability to understand business needs and translate them into practical technical solutions. • Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills. • Ability to develop clear ROI and payback business cases. • Excellent technical writing, presentation, and co