IoT Architect

Role Overview

The IoT Architect is a broad-spectrum technology strategist who can design end-to-end IoT solutions from the device/sensor layer through connectivity, edge processing, cloud platforms, and application layers. As the ISP transitions to an MSI model, IoT is a key growth vertical spanning smart cities, industrial automation, smart metering, fleet management, healthcare IoT, and building management systems. The ideal candidate has a wide aperture across networking, cloud, data, and security, and can position IoT solutions confidently in commercial discussions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end IoT architectures: device layer, connectivity (LPWAN / NB-IoT / LTE-M / 5G / Wi-Fi 6 / LoRaWAN / Zigbee), edge, and cloud platform
• Architect IoT platforms: AWS IoT Core / Greengrass, Azure IoT Hub / IoT Central, Google Cloud IoT Core, ThingsBoard, or Bosch IoT Suite
• Design edge computing architectures: AWS Outposts / Local Zones, Azure IoT Edge, NVIDIA Jetson platforms for real-time inference
• Develop smart city solution architectures: smart metering, smart lighting, traffic management, waste management, and environmental monitoring
• Architect industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions for manufacturing, oil & gas, utilities, and smart buildings integrating OT/IT convergence via ISA-95/IEC 62443
• Design IoT security frameworks: device identity management (PKI/X.509), TLS/DTLS transport security, OTA update management, and network segmentation
• Position IoT connectivity services leveraging ISP assets (NB-IoT, LTE-M network, eSIM, APN management)
• Support MSI bids: technical solution writing, BoQ for gateways, sensors, platform licences, and integration services
• Maintain broad OEM awareness: Cisco IoT, Huawei IoT, Sierra Wireless, Telit, Advantech, Cradlepoint, and platform vendors
• Conduct market sensing staying current on emerging IoT standards (Matter, Thread, Wi-Fi HaLow, 5G URLLC for IIoT)

Technical Expertise Broad Knowledge Requirements

The IoT Architect role requires broad technology coverage rather than a single deep-stack specialism:

• Connectivity layer: NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Wi-Fi 6/6E, Bluetooth LE — protocol trade-offs and application mapping
• Edge platforms: AWS IoT Greengrass, Azure IoT Edge, Balena.io, or equivalent — deployment, container orchestration at edge
• Cloud IoT platforms: device registry, message brokering (MQTT/AMQP/HTTP), time-series databases (InfluxDB, TimescaleDB, Azure ADX)
• Data analytics: stream processing (Apache Kafka, AWS Kinesis, Azure Event Hubs), batch analytics, and BI dashboarding (Grafana, Power BI, Tableau)
• AI/ML at edge: TensorFlow Lite, ONNX, or NVIDIA Triton inference — awareness of on-device ML for anomaly detection
• Security: PKI for device identity, FIPS 140-2, CVE awareness for embedded systems, IEC 62443 for ICS/SCADA environments
• Protocols: MQTT, CoAP, AMQP, LwM2M, OPC-UA — strengths and appropriate use cases

Pre-Sales & Communication Skills

Candidates must demonstrate strong pre-sales aptitude and communication capability:

• Ability to translate complex technical architectures into clear, compelling business narratives for C-suite and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience in responding to RFPs, RFIs, and tenders — including solution write-ups, BOQs, and commercial inputs
• Skilled in conducting customer workshops, discovery sessions, and proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstrations
• Ability to create high-quality solution presentations, architecture diagrams, and proposals independently
• Comfortable presenting to diverse audiences — from NOC engineers to CTO/CIO level executives
• Strong written English for proposal and documentation; proficiency in MS Office / Visio / draw.io
• Active listening skills to identify unstated customer pain points and shape solutions accordingly
• Experience working alongside sales teams in deal pursuit, customer engagement, and solution shaping

Soft Skills & Leadership Attributes

• Self-driven professional with the ability to manage multiple pursuits simultaneously under deadline pressure
• Collaborative team player who can mentor junior engineers and guide solution reviews
• Willingness to travel to customer sites, partner offices, and OEM briefings as required
• Intellectual curiosity — stays updated with emerging technologies and market trends
• Ability to engage with OEM vendor teams (Cisco, Juniper, Nokia, Huawei, Ericsson, ZTE, Fortinet, Palo Alto, etc.) for deal support and design validation