Manufacturing Operational Technology; OT Specialist

Manufacturing Operational Technology (OT) Specialist – Position Summary

The Operational Technology (OT) Specialist is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and security of industrial control systems and automation infrastructure within a manufacturing environment. This role serves as a key link between Information Technology (IT) and plant‑floor Operations Technology (OT), helping ensure production systems remain reliable, secure, and efficient across multiple manufacturing operations. The OT Specialist supports automation platforms, industrial networks, cybersecurity initiatives, and system integration efforts while working closely with engineering, maintenance, operations, and IT teams.

This individual plays a critical role in maximizing uptime, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and enabling digital manufacturing technologies.

• Systems Management & Maintenance
  • Install, configure, maintain, and support OT systems, including: PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP integrations, and industrial networking infrastructure.
  • Monitor automation system performance and proactively address issues to minimize production downtime.
  • Perform preventive maintenance, firmware updates, and patch management in accordance with established change‑control procedures.
  • Maintain accurate documentation, including asset inventories, network diagrams, and system configurations.
  • Support system backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity initiatives.
• IT/OT Integration
  • Design and implement secure connectivity between enterprise systems and manufacturing control environments.
  • Collaborate with engineering, operations, and IT teams to support digital transformation initiatives, including Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Industry
    4.0 technologies, and real‑time manufacturing analytics.
  • Develop and maintain network segmentation strategies aligned with industry best practices such as ISA‑95 and Purdue architecture principles.
  • Support data collection, visualization, and reporting solutions to improve operational performance.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance
  • Implement and maintain OT cybersecurity practices aligned with recognized frameworks and standards.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessments, risk evaluations, and remediation planning for industrial systems and connected devices.
  • Respond to OT cybersecurity incidents and support investigations, corrective actions, and recovery activities.
  • Develop, test, and maintain OT incident response and recovery procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, cybersecurity requirements, and applicable industry regulations.
• Troubleshooting & Technical Support
  • Serve as an escalation resource for complex OT‑related issues affecting production operations.
  • Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, communication, and network failures across industrial control systems.
  • Coordinate with vendors, engineers, and maintenance personnel to restore production‑critical systems.
  • Participate in on‑call support rotations and provide assistance during critical system outages.
• Projects & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead or support automation and infrastructure projects involving new equipment installations, facility expansions, line launches, and equipment upgrades.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements that enhance reliability, performance, security, and maintainability.
  • Develop technical documentation, standard operating procedures, and support materials.
  • Provide training and mentorship to maintenance technicians and operations personnel on OT systems and best practices.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and manufacturing optimization initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Automation, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of: 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years of relevant experience with a Master's degree, or 3 years of relevant experience with a PhD.
• Experience supporting industrial automation and control systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of…