Senior Microsoft Systems Engineer – Manufacturing IT

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Microsoft Systems Engineer to lead the design, modernisation and security of enterprise‑grade IT infrastructures for a manufacturing environment in Belgium. The role is freelance, hybrid and starts immediately, offering the chance to shape Industry 4.0 transformation across IT, production and business teams.

Key responsibilities

• Design and maintain enterprise architectures built on Azure, Windows Server, Active Directory, Microsoft 365 and hybrid cloud.
• Develop IT road‑maps aligned with manufacturing and Industry 4.0 goals, defining standards, governance and best practices.
• Lead cloud migration and modernisation programmes, including Azure landing zones and disaster‑recovery environments.
• Integrate ERP systems (SAP, Dynamics 365) with MES, SCADA, PLCs and other shop‑floor solutions.
• Design secure OT/IT architectures with high availability, resilience and Zero‑Trust principles.
• Implement the Microsoft security stack (Defender, Sentinel, Purview, Intune) and IAM solutions using Entra ID and Conditional Access.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity frameworks, manage vulnerability remediation and support business continuity planning.
• Act as a trusted advisor to plant managers and IT leaders, translating business needs into scalable technical solutions and mentoring infrastructure engineers.

Required profile

• 8‑10+ years of experience in IT infrastructure and systems architecture.
• 3‑5+ years working in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong expertise in Azure, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, Hybrid Cloud, Active Directory/Entra ID, Intune and Microsoft security solutions.
• Hands‑on experience with ERP integration (SAP, Dynamics 365) and knowledge of MES, SCADA, PLCs and Industrial IoT.
• Proven experience with high availability, disaster recovery and business continuity.
• Preferred certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert, TOGAF.

Required skills

• Azure
• Microsoft 365
• Windows Server
• Hybrid Cloud
• Active Directory / Entra ID
• Intune
• Defender
• Microsoft Sentinel
• Microsoft Purview
• Azure landing zones
• Disaster Recovery
• Identity and Access Management
• Zero Trust
• SAP
• Dynamics 365
• MES
• SCADA
• PLC
• Industrial IoT
• High Availability
• Business Continuity
• TOGAF