Manufacturing OT Specialist

We’re looking for an Operational Technology (OT) Specialist to design, implement, maintain, and secure industrial control systems and automation infrastructure within our automotive manufacturing environment.

• Design, implementation, maintenance, and security of industrial control systems and automation infrastructure.
• Systems Management & Maintenance
  • Install, configure, and maintain OT systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, DCS, MES, ERP, and industrial networking infrastructure.
  • Monitor the health and performance of plant floor automation systems to minimize unplanned downtime.
  • Perform routine preventive maintenance, firmware updates, and patch management on OT assets in accordance with change control procedures.
  • Maintain accurate asset inventories, network diagrams, and system documentation.
• IT/OT Integration
  • Design and implement secure data pathways between IT enterprise systems (ERP, MES) and OT environments.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and IT teams to support digital transformation initiatives such as IIoT, Industry
    4.0, and real‑time production analytics.
  • Define and enforce network segmentation strategies (e.g., Purdue Model / ISA‑95) to protect industrial assets.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance
  • Implement and maintain OT cybersecurity frameworks aligned with NIST CSF, IEC
    62443, and NERCCIP standards as applicable.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessments and risk analyses on OT systems and connected devices.
  • Respond to and investigate OT security incidents; develop and test incident response plans.
  • Ensure compliance with internal IT/OT security policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshooting & Support
  • Serve as escalation point for Tier2/3 OT‑related issues across production shifts.
  • Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and communication failures in industrial control systems.
  • Provide on‑call support for critical system outages impacting production.
• Projects & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead or support capital projects involving new equipment installation, line retooling, or facility expansions.
  • Evaluate and recommend OT technology upgrades to improve reliability, efficiency, and security.
  • Develop and deliver training to maintenance technicians and plant floor personnel on OT systems usage and best practices.

• 8+ years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; 6+ years with a Master’s degree; 3+ years with a PhD or equivalent experience.
• Technical Skills
  • Proficiency with PLC platforms (Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Fanuc).
  • Experience with SCADA and HMI software (Factory Talk, Wonderware, Ignition).
  • Solid understanding of industrial networking protocols:
    Ether Net/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, OPC‑UA.
  • Working knowledge of industrial network architecture and managed switches (Cisco
    
    IE, Stratix, Ubiquiti).
  • Familiarity with OT cybersecurity principles and tools.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Minimum 3–5 years of hands‑on OT/ICS experience in a manufacturing environment; automotive industry experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience with robotic systems (Fanuc, Kawaski).
  • Familiarity with automotive production systems (production control, body shop, coatings, general assembly).
  • Knowledge of MES platforms (Apriso, SAPME, Plex, Ignition’ Fuuz).
  • Relevant certifications: GICSP, CompTIA Security+, CCNA Industrial, ISA/IEC
    62443.
  • Experience supporting lean manufacturing or Six Sigma environments.
• Competencies
  • Problem‑Solving:
    Ability to diagnose complex, cross‑domain issues under time pressure in a live production environment.
  • Communication:
    Effectively conveys technical concepts to both plant floor technicians and senior OT/operations leadership.
  • Collaboration:
    
    Works cross‑functionally with engineering, maintenance, IT, and operations teams.
  • Adaptability:
    Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, shift‑driven manufacturing environment with changing priorities.
  • Attention to Detail:
    Maintains rigorous documentation and follows change management procedures.

Ability to work in a manufacturing plant environment, including exposure to noise, heat, and industrial equipment. Must be able to walk plant floors, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces as needed. Availability…