Lead Platform Architect Energy Storage Systems (ESS)

In this role, you drive the architectural vision across all ESS platform solutions. You collaborate with Product Managers, System Architects, Engineering Leads and R&D teams to ensure a coherent, modular and secure system architecture that aligns with Alfen's strategic roadmap. You influence technological decisions, ensure architectural consistency and guide engineering teams across embedded, networking, edge and cloud domains.

Platform Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Define and maintain the end-to-end ESS platform architecture.
• Lead architectural decisions across embedded systems, local control layers, communication protocols, cloud integrations and cybersecurity structures.
• Ensure alignment with business strategy, R&D roadmap and future product generations.
• Translate high-level architectural principles into actionable design criteria and guardrails.
• Mentor engineering teams on architecture patterns, frameworks and best practices.

Innovation & Technology Development

• Build and maintain an external technology network to identify trends and new technologies.
• Drive platform innovation, modularization and standardization across domains.
• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for new technical approaches.
• Ensure strong interoperability and architectural synergy across product lines.

Stakeholder Alignment & Technical Governance

• Collaborate with Product Management, System Architects and technical leaders to define requirements and scopes.
• Provide expert input in customer discussions, tenders and technical consultations.
• Support risk assessments, compliance processes and technical decision-making.
• Serve as the key technical authority for cross-functional alignment.

Design Review & Quality Assurance

• Lead platform-level design reviews across embedded, networking, edge and cloud components.
• Evaluate design proposals and changes for performance, reliability, security, maintainability and scalability.
• Ensure complete, structured and traceable architectural documentation.
• Establish and enforce architecture review guidelines, decision frameworks and quality gates., You report to the R&D Director ESS and collaborate closely with embedded, cloud, networking and platform engineering teams. You will shape the next generation of secure, scalable and highly integrated ESS platforms.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical, Computer or Software Engineering.
• Deep experience with end-to-end system architecture, from embedded systems to cloud.
• Proven experience in designing or governing distributed systems and device-to-cloud frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of protocols such as IEC-104, Modbus, OCPP, MQTT, TCP/IP, TLS.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
• Strong communication skills; fluent in English (Dutch preferred).
• Ability to lead architectural initiatives and influence engineering direction.

• A competitive salary and excellent employment conditions (Metalektro Collective Labour Agreement).
• 27 vacation days + 13 ADV (additional) days per year, with the option to sell 10 days.
• Hybrid working (max. 2 days per week with a 40-hour workweek).
• A company laptop.
• Free access to our online learning platform.
• Activities organized by our employee associations AlFun and Young Alfen.
• Sports activities through Alfen, such as fitness and participation in sporting events.
• Pension scheme via PME, with a solid employer contribution.
• Travel allowance of €0.23 per km, up to a maximum of 50 km one-way.