Operational Technology Technician

About the role

National Grid Interconnectors is at the heart of UK’s transition to our net zero energy future. We operate a number of HVDC interconnectors that connect the UK’s energy system to some of our closest neighbours, allowing energy to be imported to and exported from the UK. As well as already owning a portfolio of HVDC Interconnectors, we’re working on developing new projects in order to ensure that we are able to meet the UK’s future demands for greener energy solutions.

We are currently recruiting for an Operational Technology Technician on site at our NSL converter station in Bedlington.

As an Operational Technology Technician you will carry out various maintenance and inspection works within the Interconnector High Voltage Electricity Converter Station and control room environments. You will be working within a team, following safe systems of work, which is responsible for site systems, ensuring their good working order and security in line with business and regulatory requirements (notably the Network and Information Systems [NIS] Regulation) and frameworks.

This is a critical role ensuring that interconnector OT system, networking and cyber assets maintain the highest level of operational performance and cyber security.

Please note the role is based on site in Bedlington and you must have a full UK driving licence.

• Proactively work towards eliminating all accidents by adopting risk assessment techniques, method statements and being aware of potential hazards and reporting all near misses.
• Carry out roles as defined in National Grid Ventures’ Safety Rules of ‘Competent Person’.
• Participation in a site call out rota on a periodic basis and support live incidents if they occur.
• Assist in the management of 3rd parties undertaking planned and unplanned works safely and efficiently including ensuring risk assessment and method statements are in place.
• On occasion, support the delivery of works and services across the Interconnectors Portfolio of IFA, IFA2, NSL and Viking Link sites.
• Support the implementation of central policy from the Cyber, Engineering, Assurance and Policy team and implement to your assigned interconnector and control rooms.
• Ensure systems are managed in accordance with change and asset management life cycles.
• You will assist in the management spares and ensure they are tested, configured and deployable as required.
• You will support and run response and recovery processes and procedures in isolation or with suppliers.
• You will be crucial to the Backup and Restoration process, managing backups and recovery
• You will support and install HW & networking changes including testing
• Act as superuser for hardened privileged devices – manage for onsite teams including use cases, software builds, device management
• Assist in the management of hardware services – Air conditioning, power/ supplies etc
• Assist in the management physical and logical security controls relating to the cyber security of critical systems – for instance user permissions, port blocking, security system logic, CCTV coverage of core areas.
• Support assurance, audit and inspection activities when undertaken.
• Undertake compliance activities to key regulatory requirements, including compliance reporting in collaboration with other Subject Matter Experts.

• Experience working with and/or knowledge on Operational Technology (including OT system, networking and cyber assets) such as control, protection, monitoring systems, HVAC, building management etc is desirable but not required.
• Ability to work unsupervised on a wide range of interconnector equipment as part of a fully integrated team but with occasional lone working
• Demonstrate a self-help approach to common work-related problems
• You will be computer literate
• Foundation knowledge and experience of key Health, Safety and Environmental and Occupier legislation applicable within an operational environment and premises (i.e. Health and Safety at Work Act, Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations, CDM Regulations, Electricity at Work Regulations, Occupier Liability Act, Temporary Works
• Competent Person authorisation or working towards
• Good…