The OT Network Project Technical Lead provides technical leadership for the design, implementation, integration, testing, commissioning, and support of Operational Technology (OT) network infrastructure across industrial, utility, energy, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure projects. Serving as the primary technical authority for OT networking solutions, this role ensures secure, reliable, and scalable communication between industrial control systems, SCADA platforms, automation devices, power systems, and enterprise networks. The position collaborates closely with project managers, engineers, cybersecurity specialists, IT teams, vendors, and customers to deliver solutions that meet operational, cybersecurity, safety, and business objectives while providing field leadership during commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and operational readiness activities.
Primary Responsibilities:- Lead OT network projects from concept, design, and implementation through testing, commissioning, startup, and project closeout, ensuring successful technical and operational outcomes.
- Serve as the primary technical liaison for customers, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary engineering teams, providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship throughout the project lifecycle.
- Design, review, and approve secure, scalable, and highly available OT network architectures, including network topologies, communication strategies, infrastructure specifications, and industrial Ethernet solutions.
- Oversee the configuration, deployment, and integration of industrial networking technologies, including switches, routers, firewalls, wireless systems, remote access solutions, VLANs, routing protocols, redundancy strategies, and network management tools.
- Lead systems integration efforts involving SCADA, PLC/DCS platforms, power management systems, microgrids, Industrial IoT solutions, cybersecurity platforms, historians, data systems, and enterprise IT networks.
- Ensure compliance with cybersecurity requirements and industry best practices by implementing defense-in-depth strategies, network segmentation, secure remote access, IDMZ architectures, risk mitigation measures, and regulatory compliance standards.
- Direct network testing, validation, FAT, SAT, and commissioning activities to verify system performance, reliability, security, interoperability, and operational readiness.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex network, cybersecurity, and system integration issues impacting project schedules, startup activities, or operational performance.
- Support project planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, risk management, and technical decision-making to ensure successful project delivery.
- Develop, review, and maintain technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, specifications, testing procedures, commissioning plans, operational procedures, standards, reports, and as-built documentation.
- Ensure effective configuration management, document control, quality assurance, and continuous improvement processes throughout the project lifecycle.
- Build strong customer relationships by serving as a trusted technical advisor, leading technical reviews and stakeholder meetings, presenting recommendations and project updates, and supporting training, knowledge transfer, and customer acceptance activities.
Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 7-10 years of experience in industrial networking, OT infrastructure, controls systems, SCADA, or automation environments.
- Minimum 3-5 years of technical leadership experience managing OT network projects.
- Strong knowledge of industrial networking technologies and architectures.
- Experience with industrial Ethernet networks, Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching and routing, wireless communications, and remote access solutions.
- Experience troubleshooting network infrastructure within industrial and operational environments.
- Strong understanding of OT and industrial control system communications.
- Ability to travel up to 50-75% based on project requirements.
Preferred Skills:- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), CompTIA Network+, or equivalent networking certification.
- ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Certificate, Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP), CISSP, or equivalent cybersecurity certification.
- Experience with:
- Cisco Industrial Ethernet
- Hirschmann
- Stratix
- Fortinet
- Palo Alto Networks
- Siemens Industrial Networking
- Moxa
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols including:
- Ethernet/IP
- Modbus TCP
- DNP3
- IEC 61850
- PROFINET
- OPC UA
- MQTT
- Experience supporting utility, power generation, renewable energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, water/wastewater, or critical infrastructure projects.
- Experience integrating OT and IT environments while maintaining cybersecurity best practices.
- Familiarity with virtualization, cloud connectivity, and industrial data platform architectures.
Key Competencies- OT Network Architecture
- Industrial Networking
- Technical Leadership
- Industrial Cybersecurity
- SCADA and Control System Communications
- Network Infrastructure Deployment
- Systems Integration
- FAT/SAT Planning and Execution
- Commissioning and Startup Expertise
- Project Execution and Coordination
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis
- Customer Relationship Management
- Team Leadership and Mentorship
- Technical Documentation and Standards Development.
Success Measures- Successful delivery of OT network projects on schedule and within budget.
- Achievement of customer acceptance and project turnover milestones.
- Reliable, secure, and high-performing OT network infrastructure.
- Successful integration of OT systems, industrial controls, and enterprise interfaces.
- Compliance with cybersecurity, regulatory, and customer requirements.
- Minimal startup disruptions and rapid resolution of technical issues.
- High customer satisfaction and operational readiness outcomes.
Salary Range$125,000 - $175,000 (base salary)
Actual compensation will be based on experience, skills, geographic location, and internal equity. This role is also eligible for bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.
Benefits:- 401(k) and Roth 401(k)
- Dental Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Paid time off
- Performance Bonus
- Career Growth Opportunities and Training
