IoT/OT Solution Architect || San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)
Sourabh Diwakar
Job Title: Technical Lead / Architect – Smart Infrastructure & IoT
Location: San Francisco, CA – Hybrid
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – Candidate must be able to work from the
office 2–3 days per week
Employment Type: C2C / Contract
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Technical Lead / Architect to design and deliver resilient Smart Infrastructure, IoT, Edge-to-Cloud, and AI-driven solutions across research laboratory and corporate office environments.
The ideal candidate will have strong experience architecting IoT and smart-building solutions within mission-critical environments, particularly R&D labs, life sciences, pharmaceutical facilities, or cleanroom environments. This role requires a combination of hands-on technical leadership, IoT architecture, industrial protocols, cloud technologies, AI/ML, and IT/OT cybersecurity expertise.
The Technical Lead/Architect will work closely with Lab Operations, Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Corporate IT, scientific researchers, vendors, and system integrators to translate complex operational requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable technical solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Smart Infrastructure & IoT Architecture
- Architect resilient edge-to-cloud IoT solutions for research laboratories and corporate office environments.
- Design solutions supporting mission-critical systems including:
- Fume hoods
- Cleanrooms
- Specialized HVAC systems
- Gas monitoring
- Cold storage
- Environmental monitoring
- Occupancy and asset tracking
- Develop architectures that provide reliability, scalability, security, and low-latency telemetry.
Protocol & Data Integration
- Integrate legacy and modern industrial/building protocols including:
- BACnet
- Modbus
- MQTT
- OPC UA
- LoRaWAN
- Lab execution systems
- REST APIs
- Design secure telemetry and data pipelines for high-frequency sensor ingestion.
- Integrate industrial protocol converters, IoT gateways, cloud services, and time-series data platforms.
Hands-On Technical Leadership
- Provide hands-on technical guidance throughout architecture, development, and deployment.
- Conduct code and script reviews.
- Build and demonstrate Proofs of Concept (PoCs) for new technologies and solutions.
- Establish validation frameworks for mission-critical deployments.
- Troubleshoot complex technical issues and drive solutions through implementation.
IoT Hardware & Smart Facilities
- Evaluate, select, and integrate high-precision IoT sensors and edge gateways.
- Support solutions for:
- Environmental monitoring
- Occupancy tracking
- Equipment and sample monitoring
- Asset tracking
- Spatial safety monitoring
- Work with hardware vendors and system integrators to ensure successful integration.
AI/ML & Predictive Analytics
- Implement AI/ML pipelines using time-series telemetry data.
- Develop solutions for:
- Predictive maintenance
- Automated Fault Detection & Diagnostics (FDD)
- Energy/load optimization
- HVAC optimization
- Environmental anomaly detection
- Critical equipment monitoring
- Support real-time analytics and intelligent automation for laboratory environments.
Cross-Functional & Vendor Leadership
- Partner closely with Lab Operations, EHS, Facilities Management, Corporate IT, and scientific research teams.
- Translate scientific and operational requirements into scalable technical architectures.
- Lead technical evaluations, RFP activities, and vendor selection.
- Manage technical integration efforts with specialized laboratory control vendors, PropTech partners, and system integrators.
IT/OT Cybersecurity
- Partner with Corporate IT and security teams to implement secure IT/OT architectures.
- Design and enforce network segmentation between laboratory OT environments and corporate IT networks.
- Apply:
- Zero Trust principles
- VLAN/network isolation
- Purdue Model concepts
- Secure access controls
- Security monitoring
- Compliance requirements
- Ensure mission-critical laboratory systems meet applicable security and operational standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- 6+ years of experience designing smart-building, IoT, automation, or related solutions in mission-critical environments.
- Experience working within environments such as:
- R&D laboratories
- Life sciences
- Pharmaceutical facilities
- Cleanrooms
- Mission-critical facilities
- Strong hands-on experience with IoT edge gateways, sensors, industrial protocol integration, and telemetry pipelines.
- Strong understanding of time-series data management and high-frequency sensor ingestion.
- Experience deploying AI/ML models against time-series or telemetry data.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages:
- Python
- C/C++
- Node.js
- Go
- Strong experience with cloud platforms such as:
- AWS IoT Core
- Azure IoT Hub
- Google Cloud
- Strong understanding of IT/OT security and network architecture.
Specialized Knowledge
- Understanding of laboratory EHS standards and requirements.
- Knowledge of specialized ventilation requirements, including ACH and differential pressure.
- Understanding of laboratory containment and safety protocols.
- Strong knowledge of OT/IT security convergence.
- Experience with network isolation, VLANs, Purdue Model architecture, and Zero Trust.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with scientific researchers, facility engineers, enterprise IT leadership, and technology vendors.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Digital Twins for critical facilities or equipment asset management.
- Experience with Azure Digital Twins or BIM integrations.
- Exposure to GxP / GLP environments or scientific data compliance standards.
- Experience with laboratory automation or smart-building platforms.
- Certifications such as:
- AWS Cloud Architecture
- Azure Cloud Architecture
- Certified IoT Professional
- TOGAF
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.