Principal Solutions Architect, Supply Chain Automation R&D

As a Principal Solutions Architect, Supply Chain Automation R&D, you’ll play a critical role in shaping how DCS designs and delivers automation solutions. You’ll sit at the intersection of sales, consulting, and engineering, leading pre-sales solution development and helping turn early-stage concepts into market-competitive implementations.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys big-picture thinking, deep technical problem-solving, and influencing how automation strategies are developed across industries. You’ll report directly to the Vice President of Solutions and act as a technical and strategic leader within the Solutions and Growth organization.

About the Team
The Solutions group at DCS partners closely with customers to define, design, and evaluate supply chain and automation strategies. The team supports consulting and concept design engagements across multiple industries, ranging from data center and distribution center design to operational assessments and process improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the development of DCS’s solutions automation roadmap and help define how advanced technologies are evaluated and applied.

• Partner with automation suppliers (AMRs, robotics, goods-to-person systems, and emerging technologies) to integrate best-fit solutions into customer concepts.

• Provide strategic guidance on data analytics, storage design, inventory optimization, order-picking strategies, cost-reduction initiatives, and process/system optimization.

• Present findings, recommendations, and automation concepts directly to customers and internal stakeholders.

• Collaborate with systems and applications engineering teams to review concept and final solutions, ensuring they are value-engineered and market competitive

• Scope opportunities by understanding customer challenges, defining statements of work, and shaping project deliverables.

• Support the development of final project documentation for supply chain consulting engagements.

• Act as a senior leader within sales and pre-contract teams, guiding solution direction while representing the voice of the customer.

• Gather customer feedback and recommend new services or improvements to existing offerings.

• Travel onsite as needed to support project activities (approximately 25–30%).

Who You Are

• You hold a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field.

• You bring 10+ years of experience in supply chain and automation-related industries, developing solutions that solve real customer problems.

• You are viewed as an expert in solutions automation and know how to apply the right processes, tools, and methodologies, and coach others to do the same.

• You are comfortable developing and reviewing statements of work for consulting engagements.

• You are proficient in tools such as Power BI, MS Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Project.

• You communicate complex ideas clearly to a wide range of audiences, both written and verbally.

• You have experience presenting to clients and/or at industry conferences.

• You enjoy leading, mentoring, and developing other team members and are seen as a trusted advisor and leader.

This job description is not exhaustive. Other duties may be assigned as needed, and responsibilities may evolve to support the business and employee experience.

About Us:   

Conveyor may be in our name, but it’s only part of what we do. DCS was founded in 1982 and has grown to serve major clients in multiple industries by providing material handling, full-scale warehouse operations and conveyor design solutions that are custom crafted for their need. We don’t sell ready-made systems - we build relationships that empower us to craft custom solutions together. It’s the teamwork approach, sharing ideas and building upon them, that produces the best results.   

And DCS is committed to creating an extraordinary employment experience for our team. We work like crazy to hire and develop great people, build relationships, and ensure that the programs and services we offer our team are among the best in the business- from a killer snack wall and casual work environment to flexible PTO and opportunities to give back within the community.

More reasons to join our team:   

• We pride ourselves in our family-like culture and casual, but focused, work environment   

• We offer competitive salaries and health benefits   

• Our 401K program includes a 100% match up to 5%   

• Participation in our Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program   

• We offer our employees flexibility and autonomy   

• We do community outreach projects throughout the year   

• We know how to throw company events   

• We work hard, but we also know how to have fun - darts, anyone?

Individuals seeking employment at Designed Conveyor Systems are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Accommodation is available to applicants with a disability condition, when applying, testing, or interviewing for a position. Please let us know if you need accommodation.