The OT Network Engineer is responsible for the design, support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the organization's Operational Technology (OT) network infrastructure supporting upstream oil and gas operations. This role ensures the reliability, availability, and security of the field communications network that enables SCADA, automation systems, telemetry, and remote operations across our assets.
Working closely with Operations, SCADA, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure teams, the OT Network Engineer provides technical expertise for day-to-day network support, infrastructure modernization, acquisitions, and capital projects. The ideal candidate brings deep experience with industrial networking, field communications, and troubleshooting complex OT environments while maintaining the highest standards of operational reliability and safety.
Key ResponsibilitiesOT Network Operations & Support- Provide day-to-day operational support for the enterprise OT network, ensuring high availability and reliability of field communications infrastructure.
- Troubleshoot and resolve network connectivity issues impacting SCADA, automation systems, telemetry, and field operations.
- Monitor network health, performance, and capacity, proactively identifying and resolving potential issues before they impact operations.
- Support on-call responsibilities for critical OT network incidents and operational outages.
Field Communications & Infrastructure- Assist with Installation, configuration, maintenance, and upgrading field communication systems including cellular, radio, microwave, satellite, and private network technologies.
- Support network infrastructure at remote production facilities, compressor stations, tank batteries, and field offices.
- Configure and maintain industrial networking equipment including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless infrastructure, and industrial communication devices.
- Ensure resilient communication between field assets and enterprise systems.
Projects & Infrastructure Modernization- Participate in capital projects, acquisitions, divestitures, and facility expansions involving OT network infrastructure.
- Plan and execute hardware refresh projects, technology upgrades, and network lifecycle replacement initiatives.
- Assist in network design, implementation, testing, and commissioning for new field locations and operational facilities.
- Maintain accurate network documentation, diagrams, asset inventories, and configuration standards.
Cybersecurity & Compliance- Partner with the Cybersecurity team to implement secure network architectures and segmentation for OT environments.
- Apply network security best practices including firewall management, access controls, and secure remote connectivity.
- Support vulnerability remediation and infrastructure hardening activities while minimizing operational disruption.
- Ensure OT networking practices comply with corporate cybersecurity standards and applicable industry regulations.
Operational Excellence- Identify opportunities to improve network reliability, resiliency, and operational efficiency.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for network support and field communications.
- Collaborate with vendors, telecommunications providers, and equipment manufacturers to resolve technical issues and improve service delivery.
- Provide technical guidance and support to field personnel and cross-functional IT teams.
Qualifications & ExperienceEducation- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.
- Industry certifications such as Cisco CCNA/CCNP, Fortinet NSE, CompTIA Network+, or similar certifications are a strong plus.
Experience- 5-10 years of experience supporting Operational Technology (OT) networks in upstream oil and gas or other industrial environments.
- Hands-on experience supporting industrial networking, field communications, and remote operational facilities.
- Experience with acquisitions, infrastructure upgrades, and network modernization projects.
- Strong understanding of SCADA communications and industrial networking technologies.
Skills & Competencies- Strong knowledge of industrial Ethernet, TCP/IP, routing, switching, VLANs, VPNs, and wireless networking.
- Experience supporting field communications technologies including cellular, radio, microwave, satellite, and private networks.
- Familiarity with industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA environments, RTUs, PLCs, and telemetry systems.
- Understanding of OT cybersecurity principles and secure network architecture.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills with the ability to resolve complex network issues under pressure.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Operations, Engineering, vendors, and cross-functional IT teams.
- Willingness to travel to remote field locations and support operational priorities as needed.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements- Primarily office-based with travel to field offices and operational sites as needed.
- Potential exposure to remote and high-risk environments, requiring adherence to safety protocols.
- May involve walking, climbing, bending, or handling equipment during site visits.
- Possible exposure to varying weather conditions (heat, cold, rain) while on-site at field locations.
- Availability for emergency response and incident management, including after-hours support when required.
