Network & Systems Administrator; On-Site

Network & Systems Administrator (On-Site)

Full Time New Orleans, LA, US

30+ days ago Requisition

The IT Network & Systems Administrator (SCADA/OT Support) is responsible for implementing and maintaining the specialized network and server architectures that support real-time monitoring and control of industrial processes. This role ensures the availability, security, and reliability of OT (Operational Technology) networks and their supporting IT systems. Scope includes Windows-based infrastructure, identity management, and name resolution services dedicated to the OT network environment and SCADA-supporting infrastructure, distinct from general enterprise IT network administration functions.

The position bridges traditional network engineering with systems administration to support secure communications between field devices (PLCs, RTUs) and centralized control systems. Because these systems directly affect water treatment, chemical dosing, and distribution operations, system availability and integrity in this environment carry public health and safety implications beyond standard IT service levels.

• Hardware Maintenance:
  Install, configure, and maintain industrial-grade networking equipment, including routers, switches, firewalls, and telemetry devices (radio, fiber, cellular).
• System Integration:
  Support network connectivity for new field devices as directed by Operational Technology or SCADA staff. Verify data flow paths across OT network segments to SCADA servers.
• Active Directory Administration:
  • Install and configure Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in support of SCADA and OT environments.
  • Manage users, groups, service accounts, and Group Policy Objects (GPOs). Enforce role-based access control (RBAC) policies.
• DNS & Core Services:
  • Deploy and maintain DNS servers to support SCADA systems, redundancy, and name resolution across segmented networks.
  • Administer related services such as DHCP (where applicable) while ensuring OT network stability.
• Windows Server Management:
  • Install, configure, and maintain Windows Server systems that host SCADA server infrastructure, including historians and domain controllers.
  • Apply patches, updates, and security hardening aligned with OT change-management requirements.
• Authentication & Access Control:
  • Support Active Directory integration for centralized SCADA systems authentication and auditing.
  • Enforce least-privilege access and secure service account management.
• Disaster Recovery & High Availability:
  • Support design and testing of failover strategies for SCADA networks, servers, and domain controllers. Ensure DNS service continuity across segmented environments.
  • Support backup and recovery processes to ensure system continuity during outages or cyber incidents.
• Monitoring & Troubleshooting:
  Proactively monitor network health, diagnose complex issues, and coordinate incident response across IT and OT teams.
• OT Network Support:
  • Maintain firewall rules, router configurations, and switch port settings for OT network segments. Follow architectures defined by senior engineering and OT cybersecurity staff.
  • Validate network segmentation between Purdue Model levels, including the IT/OT demilitarized zone (DMZ).
  • Coordinate with OT cybersecurity staff on industrial protocol traffic monitoring (Modbus, DNP3) and anomaly investigation.
• Documentation & Compliance:
  Maintain current network diagrams, configuration baselines, and change logs. Support AWIA risk assessment contributions and other regulatory compliance documentation as applicable.
• Operational Requirements:
  Participate in on-call rotation for 24/7 SCADA system support. Travel to field sites, including pump stations and treatment plants. Perform maintenance within OT change management windows, which may fall on nights, weekends, or planned outage periods.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in computer science, network engineering, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of network engineering experience in an industrial, utility, or critical infrastructure environment.
• Hands-on experience administering Windows Server, Active Directory, and DNS in production OT or critical infrastructure environments.
• Exposure to OT, SCADA, or industrial control system environments preferred but not required.
• Networking Expertise:
  Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, VPNs, and routing protocols (BGP, OSPF). Awareness of industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3) a plus.
• Systems Administration Expertise:
  • Active Directory administration and management
  • DNS architecture and troubleshooting
  • Windows Server deployment, patching, and hardening
• Certifications (Preferred):
  • Networking:
    Cisco CCNA/CCNP
  • Security:
    CompTIA Security+, or CISSP. GICSP encouraged as a professional development target after hire.
  • Microsoft:
    Windows Server or Active Directory-related certifications
  • OT/SCADA Platforms:
    Familiarity with platforms (e.g., iFix, PI) sufficient to support underlying server and network infrastructure.…