I'm currently searching for a hands-on Senior Software / Technical Architect for a leading mining client. This is a senior leadership role that demands genuine technical depth. You will be expected to get your hands dirty alongside the team, not just direct from a distance. Working within a complex Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) and Collision Avoidance System (CAS) programme, you will own the end-to-end technical architecture of safety-critical autonomous systems while remaining an active contributor to design, integration, and problem-solving in the field. Your architectural decisions will directly shape the reliability, safety, and scalability of autonomous systems operating in live mining environments. Key Responsibilities: Architecture Design & Hands-On Delivery Define and own the technical architecture of the AHS/CAS platform while remaining an active, hands-on contributor — reviewing code, validating integration approaches, and working directly with engineers to resolve complex technical challenges in real-time and field environments. CAS & AHS System Architecture Lead the architectural design of collision avoidance and autonomous haulage subsystems — including proximity detection, obstacle classification, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and emergency response logic — drawing on direct prior experience in these domains. Technical Leadership Provide architectural guidance and mentorship to engineering and verification teams, setting standards for code quality, design patterns, integration approaches, and system decomposition across the full AHS/CAS stack Safety & Compliance Architecture Drive architecture decisions that satisfy safety-critical system requirements for mining autonomous equipment, collaborating with safety engineers to ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulatory obligations. Field Engagement & Practical Problem-Solving Engage directly in field verification activities, bringing architectural perspective to on-site testing and integration challenges — bridging the gap between design intent and real-world operational conditions in mining environments. Skills & experience Required: Mining CAS / AHS Experience Direct, hands-on experience delivering architecture or senior engineering work on mining Collision Avoidance Systems and/or Autonomous Haulage Systems. You should be able to speak to specific programmes, technical challenges overcome, and design decisions made in these domains. Hands-On Technical Depth A track record of remaining a practising technologist at senior level — actively involved in design reviews, integration work, and field problem-solving alongside engineering teams, not solely operating in an advisory or governance capacity. Distributed & Embedded Systems Architecture Proven background designing architecture for complex distributed systems with embedded components in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or industrial control systems — ideally in heavy-industry or mining contexts. CAS Sensor & Perception Systems Familiarity with the architecture of proximity detection, radar, LiDAR, or camera-based obstacle detection systems used in mining CAS — including sensor fusion approaches and real-time classification pipelines. If this role looks suitable - please reach out to myself via email or LinkedIn at - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hardy-716292210/