Pre-Sales Solutions Architect in Manchester

At Poka, we’re transforming how frontline teams operate, learn, and solve problems. Our connected worker platform is purpose-built for manufacturing, empowering frontline workers to share knowledge, collaborate in real‑time, and drive continuous improvement. Think of it as the missing digital link, bringing the human interface into the stack of the Smart Factory, generating the right data and insights that drive entirely new scales of process improvements. We’re proud to support global leaders like Nestlé, Bosch, Mars, and Danone in their digital transformation journeys and as part of the IFS family, our reach and impact continue to grow globally. Architect the future of industrial enterprises - where AI, data, and frontline operations truly connect.

We’re looking for a Senior/Principal Solution Architect who can operate confidently from whiteboard to boardroom. This is a strategic, customer‑facing role where deep technical expertise meets business transformation, helping global enterprises simplify complex ecosystems, unlock the value of their data, and accelerate AI adoption. You’ll engage directly with C‑level stakeholders across IT and business functions, shaping how organizations modernize their architecture and embed next‑generation capabilities like agentic systems and AI‑driven workflows into their operations.

What you’ll be doing

• Designing enterprise architectures that scale and evolve
• Design end‑to‑end architectures that integrate seamlessly into complex ecosystems (ERP, MES, IoT, cloud, data platforms, etc.)
• Define scalable, secure, and AI‑ready solutions aligned with long‑term business and technology strategies
• Position how Poka simplifies, rationalizes, and enhances existing technology landscapes while enabling new capabilities

Leading executive conversations and strategic alignment

• Act as a trusted advisor to C‑level stakeholders (CIO, CTO, COO, CDO, CAIO) and enterprise architects
• Translate architectural decisions into clear business outcomes - ROI, efficiency gains, risk reduction, and agility
• Lead executive workshops, value‑driven discussions, and architecture reviews
• Help customers align technology investments with broader transformation goals

Driving AI and agentic system innovation

• Design architectures leveraging AI, agentic layers, and autonomous systems
• Shape and apply agent‑to‑agent communication models and intelligent workflow orchestration
• Turn emerging AI and distributed system concepts into practical, enterprise‑grade deployments
• Guide customers in adopting AI responsibly, securely, and at scale

Connecting architecture to business value

• Link solution design decisions to operational performance, financial outcomes, and key business KPIs
• Provide domain expertise across manufacturing, supply chain, and operations environments
• Develop value‑driven reference architectures, reusable patterns, and solution blueprints

Collaborating to influence outcomes across the business

• Partner with Product Management and R&D to influence roadmap based on customer and market needs
• Support Sales and Customer Success teams in strategic deals and large‑scale transformation programs
• Act as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders

What you bring

• 15+ years in industrial software, enterprise architecture, or solution engineering
• Proven success working with global, top‑tier enterprise organizations
• Extensive experience engaging and influencing C‑level stakeholders, including business leadership

Technical expertise

• Strong foundation in enterprise architecture (cloud, data, integrations, APIs, microservices)
• Experience with industrial systems (MES, SCADA, IoT platforms, ERP integrations)
• Solid understanding of AI/ML concepts, agentic architectures, or distributed intelligent systems

Business and communication skills

• Ability to translate complex technology into clear business value and strategic impact
• Strong storytelling and executive communication skills
• Deep understanding of how technology drives operational excellence, cost optimization, and revenue growth

Leadership and collaboration

• Experience working cross‑functionally with Product, Engineering, Sales, and executive stakeholders
• Strong facilitation skills across workshops, co‑creation sessions, and executive engagements

What success looks like

• C‑level stakeholders clearly understand both the architectural fit and the business value of Poka
• Solution architectures drive simplification, scalability, and measurable business outcomes
• AI and agentic capabilities are embedded into core enterprise workflows
• Strong credibility and trust established across both IT and business leadership
• Demonstrable impact on customer efficiency, innovation, and strategic transformation

Why Poka

You won’t just be designing architectures – you’ll be shaping how some of the world’s largest manufacturers and industrial companies think about AI, data, and the future of work. This role sits at the center of innovation across Poka and IFS, with real influence on product direction, customer strategy, and how agentic systems come to life in industrial environments. If you’re motivated by complexity, executive impact, and building what’s next, this is where you can do it at scale.

What we offer:

• Dynamic and collaborative work environment.
• A truly flexible schedule that allows you to adapt your work hours.
• Benefits plan offered from day one.
• MacBook Pro and €500 allowance for your home office.
• The tools, support, and opportunities you need to keep learning and progressing in your career.

At Poka, we are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our hiring. We collect minimal demographic information for analytics purposes only; the data is confidential, aggregated, and used solely to improve our hiring processes.