Operational Technology Engineer (Permanent – Onsite – Fort Smith, AR)

Operational Technology Engineer (Permanent – Onsite – Fort Smith, AR)

A leading manufacturer in the premium consumer goods sector is looking for an experienced Operational Technology (OT) Engineer to join their Fort Smith-based operations. This permanent, onsite position in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is absolutely critical for maintaining and evolving the security, reliability, and performance of vital OT systems that underpin 24/7 manufacturing environments.

As the OT Engineer, you’ll be on the front lines, responsible for designing and securing industrial networks, managing virtualized environments, and supporting essential automation platforms. You’ll work hand-in-hand with cross-functional teams, ensuring that operational systems are resilient, compliant, and perfectly aligned with the company’s broader digital transformation initiatives.

What You’ll Be Doing: Core Responsibilities in Operational Technology

As an OT Engineer, you’ll blend deep industrial control system expertise with a strong cybersecurity focus, ensuring the seamless, secure, and efficient operation of 24/7 manufacturing environments. Your role is pivotal in safeguarding and enhancing the technology that drives production.

• OT Network Architecture: You will be responsible for meticulously designing and maintaining secure Operational Technology (OT) networks. This involves configuring and managing firewall configurations specific to industrial control systems, establishing secure remote access solutions for OT environments, and building resilient wireless infrastructure that meets the demanding requirements of a manufacturing plant. Your work ensures network segmentation, traffic isolation, and overall network integrity, protecting critical production processes from cyber threats.
• Patch & Vulnerability Management: You will lead efforts in patch and vulnerability management across the converged OT/IT landscape. This includes continuously monitoring security advisories relevant to industrial control systems and enterprise IT, meticulously testing and deploying patches across both OT and IT systems (e.g., PLCs, HMIs, servers, workstations), and diligently tracking updates for control devices. Your proactive approach minimizes the attack surface and ensures system resilience against known vulnerabilities.
• Virtualization & Endpoint Security: You will manage and maintain the virtualized environments that support OT systems. This involves effectively managing virtual machines (VMs), implementing robust backup strategies to ensure data recovery and business continuity, and deploying comprehensive endpoint protection solutions across industrial workstations and servers. Your efforts will safeguard system integrity and prevent unauthorized access or malware infections.
• Security Governance: You will play a key role in security governance within the OT domain. This includes maintaining thorough documentation of OT system configurations, network diagrams, and security policies. You will actively enforce security protocols in project execution, ensuring that new industrial automation projects adhere to established cybersecurity guidelines from design to deployment. Additionally, you’ll support third-party integrations, ensuring that external systems connecting to the OT network meet stringent security standards.
• Incident Response: You will lead response efforts for cybersecurity and operational incidents that impact OT systems. This requires rapid assessment, containment, eradication, and recovery. Your responsibilities include performing thorough root cause analysis to identify the underlying issues of incidents and meticulously validating recovery to ensure affected systems are fully functional and secure post-incident. Your quick thinking and decisive actions will minimize downtime in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Automation & IIoT: You will actively support and lead projects involving various automation and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies. This includes working with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) for machine control, HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces) for operator interaction, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) for production management, and integrating new IIoT devices for data collection and process optimization. Your role is to ensure the agility and reliability of these critical automation platforms, driving efficiency and innovation in manufacturing.

What You Bring: Essential Requirements for an OT Engineer

To excel in this critical OT Engineer role, you’ll need extensive hands-on experience with industrial automation, strong technical proficiency across various platforms, and a solid understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles.

• Industrial Automation and OT Systems Experience (5+ years): You must have a minimum of 5 years of verifiable experience in industrial automation and Operational Technology (OT) systems. This extensive background indicates a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, control systems, and the unique challenges of maintaining technology in an industrial environment.
• Hands-on Platform Experience (Cisco, Microsoft, VMware, Rockwell): You possess significant hands-on experience with core technologies that underpin modern industrial operations:
  • Cisco Networking: Experience with Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls in an enterprise or industrial context.
  • Microsoft Server: Proficiency in managing and supporting Microsoft Server operating systems.
  • VMware: Experience with VMware virtualization platforms for managing virtual machines and infrastructure.
  • Rockwell Platforms: Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation hardware (e.g., Allen-Bradley PLCs) and software.
• Proficiency in Rockwell Software Suite and Microsoft SQL Server: You must demonstrate proficiency in the Rockwell Software Suite, which includes applications like FactoryTalk (for HMI, SCADA, and manufacturing intelligence) and AssetCentre (for centralized asset management and version control). Additionally, strong proficiency with Microsoft SQL Server is required for managing and querying industrial databases.
• Familiarity with Siemens or Allen Bradley Systems and Basic Linux Admin: You should have familiarity with either Siemens or Allen Bradley (Rockwell) systems beyond just the core proficiency, indicating a broader exposure to industrial control platforms. Basic Linux administration skills are also desirable for managing industrial servers or specialized applications.
• Strong Understanding of Cybersecurity Principles in Industrial Environments: You must possess a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles specifically as they apply to industrial environments. This includes knowledge of OT/IT convergence risks, common industrial control system vulnerabilities, security best practices for critical infrastructure (e.g., ISA/IEC 62443), and threat modeling for industrial protocols.
• Ability to Work Independently and Collaboratively: You must have the proven ability to work independently, demonstrating self-motivation and accountability in managing tasks and projects. Simultaneously, you must be capable of collaborating effectively across diverse technical and non-technical teams, fostering strong working relationships with engineers, operators, IT staff, and management.

Make an Impact: Why Join This Team

This is an exceptional opportunity to work in a technically sophisticated environment where Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) seamlessly converge. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team that places immense value on operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, directly influencing the efficiency and security of a 24/7 manufacturing operation.

• Technically Sophisticated Environment: Engage in a highly technically sophisticated environment where OT and IT converge, providing unique challenges and opportunities to work at the intersection of industrial control systems and enterprise technology.
• Operational Excellence and Innovation: Be part of a team that prioritizes operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, constantly seeking ways to enhance manufacturing processes and leverage new technologies.
• Commitment to Safety, Quality, and Sustainability: Work for an organization with a strong commitment to safety, quality, and sustainability, aligning your technical contributions with responsible manufacturing practices.
• Culture that Encourages Initiative and Professional Growth: Thrive in a company culture that actively encourages initiative and professional growth, providing ample opportunities for learning, skill development, and career advancement within the manufacturing and OT cybersecurity domain.