Principal Industrial Systems Architect - Industrial Systems
About the job
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
- 15+ years of progressive responsibilities in IT or an IT focused business area
- 5+ years of experience in a field related to manufacturing or industrial systems
- Working knowledge of cloud computing, especially Google Cloud Platform
- Working knowledge of edge systems and on-premises computing in a manufacturing environment
- Experienced in business and solutions architecture, including selection of tools and platforms
- Strong outside-in perspective on the evolution of processes and technologies across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Quality domains
- Knowledge and familiarity with strategic technology platforms, including the Dassault Systems 3DExperience suite, Siemens Team Center, SAP/S4 MRP, Jira/JSM, and data centric architecture
- Knowledge of IT/OT integration and edge-to-cloud infrastructure optimization
- Support the development and evolution of the Industrial System’s future state vision and roadmap by providing industry perspectives
- Consult on emerging technology and business process modernization opportunities that are driving digital and AI-driven transformation in manufacturing and adjacent industries
- Ensure delivery of architecture artifacts in line with delivery commitments and timeline
- Partner with our Enterprise Platform Engineering and Operations team to develop a strategic and proactive roadmap for technology maintenance and remediation
- Support the development and execution of an accelerated portfolio rationalization plan
- Support cross-functional integration and alignment for end-to-end optimization across the Industrial value stream
- Build strong partnerships with and operate as an integral part of the Industrial Systems leadership team to drive and shape the transformation of the Industrial System
- Lead by example regarding solution and business architecture by participating in design sessions and engineering projects
- Lead a team of architects located in Dearborn, Michigan, Chennai, India, and elsewhere.
- Advise on how to prioritize updates of existing systems to meet the desired new architecture
- Stay aligned with key vendors and investors on new companies and technologies that should be part of our strategy going forward
- Stay on top of architecture trends and be prepared to advise teams across Ford how to keep up
- Ensure solutions are fully aligned to the Ford technology strategy
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
- Extensive demonstrated competency in Enterprise Architecture
- Experience working in areas related to the Industrial System such as manufacturing, supply chain, product development and engineering, transportation and logistics, and other related fields
- Understanding of how to apply Enterprise Architecture processes, tools, and viewpoints to a large, complex organization, and how to use EA skills to keep complexity at bay
- Understanding of the special circumstances of the automotive industry
- Working knowledge of AI, including traditional and generative AI, and how to apply it to real-world applications
- Knowledge of “cloud native” concepts in software architecture and delivery
- Working understanding of cybersecurity principles
- Must be skilled at influencing leaders and workers across the company at many different levels
- Must be able to think and act strategically, without constraints
- Must be able to develop a team, including growing employees’ performance and maturity, recruiting, and retaining key talent.
- Strong ability to “lead by influence” as an architect, to be able to “push back” to ensure alignment with architecture principles, to know when not to push back quite as hard
- Strong demonstrated competencies in influencing peers and business partners
- Strong communication and collaborative skills with people at all levels of the company from senior-most executives to the people on the plant floor doing the work
- Ability to “thrive in ambiguity” in leading teams to select the right solutions amid a complex environment
- Proven ability to work closely with management one to four levels above and below both in the business and IT
About the company
Ford Motor Company designs and builds vehicles for individual drivers and commercial fleets worldwide, spanning Ford trucks and SUVs and Lincoln luxury models. Its Mustang sports car and Bronco off-road vehicles sit alongside gasoline, hybrid and electric products. The company sells vehicles, parts and accessories through dealers, while Ford Pro combines commercial vehicles with fleet software, charging and maintenance services; Ford Credit earns money from customer and dealer financing and leases. Connected services add subscriptions for vehicle features and business operations. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the company is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Dearborn, Michigan
Founded
1903
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Hybrid demand supports product teams: October 2026 results showed Maverick Hybrid's third-quarter sales rose 59.6%.
- Development has funding: Ford's US salaried education program reimburses eligible tuition up to $6,000 yearly.
- Profit expectations improved: July 2026 guidance raised Ford's annual adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to $10-$11 billion.
What critics are saying
- Production depends on suppliers: Ford's October 2026 update confirmed a September supplier issue disrupted F-150 output.
- Expect limited remote work: Ford's US salaried guide specifies four onsite days weekly for most salaried staff.
- Ford's EV losses drain earnings: July 2026 results showed a $919 million second-quarter loss before interest and taxes.
What makes Ford Motor Company unique
- The founding family retains influence: Ford's Class B shares carry 40% of shareholder voting power.
- Fleet software reaches beyond its vehicles: Ford Pro Telematics tracks non-Ford vehicles through approved plug-in devices.
- Truck leadership is entrenched: December 2025 reporting marked F-Series' 49th consecutive year as America's bestselling truck.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Remote Work Options
Paid Parental Leave
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Company News
Four blue chip companies, UPS, Pfizer, Kraft Heinz, and Ford, may struggle to sustain their dividends, according to an analysis of their earnings, cash flow, and debt. UPS yields 7.02% and pays out about 121% of its GAAP earnings. Pfizer yields 6.10%, with a GAAP payout ratio of about 226%; its 2025 free cash flow of $9.076 billion fell short of $9.771 billion in dividends. Kraft Heinz yields 6.82%, but its trailing GAAP earnings per share are −$2.88 after $7.4 billion in impairments. Ford yields 4.98% after an $8.162 billion loss in 2025, and its debt-to-equity ratio is 4.66. All four companies say their payouts are safe, and each points to adjusted earnings guidance that covers the dividend.
myKaarma has launched AI Lead Management solutions for Ford and Lincoln dealerships, expanding its service operations role with both brands. The technology connects four workflow stages: answering calls, diagnosing issues, scheduling appointments, and following up with customers. The system's ServiceConcierge AI assistant handles calls and scheduling 24/7, booking over 20% of monthly appointments and saving dealerships more than 25 hours monthly. Service Pre-Diag interviews customers about vehicle concerns before arrival, whilst ServiceConnect automates follow-up communications. The platform reduces booking time by nearly 50%, with average appointments scheduled in under 90 seconds. myKaarma is already an approved technology provider for Ford and Lincoln dealerships and recently became a Service Lane Technology partner for Stellantis' Mopar Service Gateway.
Seven major S&P 500 companies with market capitalizations exceeding $20 billion need to rally at least 200% to reach their previous all-time highs, according to Bespoke. The struggling firms include PG&E, PayPal, Ford, Nike, Las Vegas Sands, Zoetis, and Crown Castle. Nike has experienced particularly poor performance, with the company's stock trading at record lows and its dividend yield approaching 5%. Recent quarterly results showed Nike Brand sales fell 4%, online sales dropped 13%, Converse sales declined 28%, and China sales crashed 26%. CEO Elliott Hill indicated that weakness in the sportswear market would persist. PayPal faces intense competition in the payments sector. New CEO Enrique Lores reportedly declined a buyout offer from Stripe and will focus on cost reductions and improving customer experience.
Ford CEO Jim Farley warned on 29 September that it is "too late" for Europe to fend off Chinese automakers, though America still has time to act carefully. Chinese brands captured nearly 12% of Europe's new-car sales in August, largely through plug-in hybrids that escaped 2024 tariffs on battery-electric vehicles. Farley's warning comes as Ford partners with Geely to build electric SUVs at Ford's Valencia plant starting in 2028. Ford will own two-thirds of the venture. The arrangement mirrors a framework Farley reportedly raised with Trump officials in January, allowing Chinese carmakers to build in the US only through American-controlled joint ventures. Chinese EVs sell for 21% less than rivals in Europe despite tariffs. BYD's Seagull retails for roughly $10,000 in China.
Ford and JPMorganChase have launched Michigan LIFT, a platform connecting manufacturers with innovative suppliers and capital to expand domestic production. Over the next decade, Ford aims to award up to $1 billion in contracts to participating suppliers, while JPMorganChase plans to provide up to $1 billion in debt financing. The initiative includes Michigan Central, Newlab, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which aspire to attract 10 to 20 additional industrial buyers representing over $1 billion in annual demand by 2036. Michigan Central will provide physical testing infrastructure across its 30-acre Detroit innovation district, whilst Newlab aims to contribute $20 million in commercialisation services. The platform initially focuses on five areas: robotics, advanced energy, mobility, critical minerals, and life sciences manufacturing.