We are using RJ11 connectors for the CAN bus, because RJ11 cables are easy to source.
They may be on the large size for a two data wires connector but I don't know what the board size.
Since you have local sensing and control, you can also implement local safety, independent of the main board. E.g. shutting down the heater in case of over temperature, bad sensor, unreasonable commands from main board, or communication loss, but I am sure you already thought about it. ;-).
I love this idea. Moving the complexity from copper to silicon.