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

Our client, a leader in the Beverage industry, is seeking an experienced Operational Technology (OT) Engineer to shape and maintain a secure and efficient OT framework across their North American clients. This permanent, onsite position in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is instrumental in building a dependable manufacturing technology environment, aligning with internal best practices and contributing to a broader global knowledge-sharing network. The role emphasizes a strong commitment to quality, safety, environmental stewardship, and product integrity within a 24/7 manufacturing setting.

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

As an OT Engineer, you’ll be a pivotal figure in ensuring the secure, reliable, and high-performing operation of the client’s manufacturing technology environment. Your responsibilities will span network architecture, cybersecurity, systems administration, and continuous improvement for industrial automation.

• OT Network Oversight: You will be responsible for meticulously architecting, overseeing, and safeguarding the OT network infrastructure. This includes expert administration of firewall configurations tailored for industrial environments, managing secure remote connectivity solutions to OT systems, maintaining resilient wireless systems on the plant floor, and optimizing switch settings for industrial protocols. You’ll continuously monitor network health, swiftly respond to hardware issues (e.g., servers, switches, firewalls), and manage critical firmware/OS updates to ensure maximum uptime and security.
• Security & Patch Management: You will lead robust security and patch management efforts across the converged OT/IT landscape. This involves staying continuously informed on security advisories relevant to industrial control systems and enterprise IT, meticulously evaluating patching requirements, and then thoroughly testing and implementing updates across various OT/IT systems, including industrial workstations and network devices. You’ll also diligently track and manage updates for OT applications and control systems, minimizing vulnerabilities and strengthening defenses against cyber threats.
• OT Systems Administration: You will expertly manage virtual environments that support crucial OT systems. This encompasses designing virtual machine (VM) templates, provisioning new VMs, and implementing robust backup strategies to ensure data recovery and business continuity for industrial applications. You’ll also ensure comprehensive endpoint security across OT devices and enforce strict compliance with local OT standards, safeguarding system integrity.
• Security Operations & Governance: You will play a key role in security operations and governance within the OT domain. This includes guaranteeing the continuous availability of critical OT applications and meticulously managing data backup and recovery processes for industrial data. You’ll support secure third-party integrations with OT systems and maintain comprehensive OT network documentation. Furthermore, you will actively integrate security considerations into project planning and execution for all new automation initiatives, embedding security by design.
• Active Directory & Domain Services: You will maintain the domain infrastructure for OT systems. This includes managing Active Directory (AD), overseeing Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for centralized configuration and security, maintaining DNS (Domain Name System) for name resolution, and managing organizational unit (OU) structures to ensure efficient identity and access management within the OT environment.
• Incident Response: You will be on the front lines, leading response efforts for both cybersecurity events and operational incidents that impact OT systems. This requires rapid communication, effective containment, swift recovery actions, and meticulous documentation. You’ll address both cyber and non-cyber incidents, diligently validate disaster recovery protocols, and proactively analyze logs and correlate data to identify potential threats, minimizing downtime in a 24/7 manufacturing setting.
• Continuous Improvement & Collaboration: You will be a champion for continuous improvement, actively engaging with global OT experts across the organization to share insights, leverage best practices, and drive operational enhancements. This collaborative approach fosters a global knowledge-sharing network, ensuring the evolution of the OT framework.
• Industrial Automation & IIoT Initiatives: You will support and lead various digital transformation efforts within manufacturing, such as Industry 4.0, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) initiatives. You’ll also lead or assist in automation and instrumentation projects, meticulously maintaining flexibility and strategic direction of site automation systems. This includes developing and troubleshooting PLC/HMI (Programmable Logic Controller/Human-Machine Interface) systems, overseeing project implementation, and designing and supervising the installation and commissioning of new automation infrastructure, ensuring robust and efficient production lines.

What You Bring: Essential Qualifications for OT Excellence

To excel as an Operational Technology Engineer, you’ll need extensive hands-on experience with enterprise and industrial technology platforms, a deep understanding of OT cybersecurity, and a proactive, collaborative mindset.

• Extensive Hands-on Platform Experience: You possess hands-on experience with enterprise and industrial technology platforms, including:
  • Network Hardware: Proficiency with network hardware (e.g., Cisco routers, switches, firewalls).
  • Server Environments: Experience with server environments (e.g., Microsoft Server).
  • Virtualization Tools: Familiarity with virtualization tools (e.g., VMware).
  • Automation Systems: Expertise with automation systems from vendors like Rockwell, Siemens, and Allen Bradley. This breadth of experience is crucial for managing diverse OT and IT components.
• Deep Familiarity with Rockwell’s Software Suite: You have deep familiarity with Rockwell’s suite of tools, including FactoryTalk components (e.g., Directory, View SE/ME for HMI/SCADA, AssetCentre for centralized asset management and version control). This indicates specialized knowledge in industrial control and visualization.
• Microsoft SQL Database Management: You are skilled in managing Microsoft SQL databases, including tasks like user access control, data recovery, and report generation. A working knowledge of Oracle systems and Microsoft Reporting Services is also beneficial, demonstrating versatility in database management.
• Basic Linux Administration: You are comfortable with basic administration of Linux-based operating systems, enabling you to manage and troubleshoot various industrial servers or specialized applications.
• Automation Systems Experience (5+ years): You bring over five years of verifiable experience designing, implementing, and maintaining automation systems in manufacturing or industrial settings. This extensive background showcases your practical expertise in bringing industrial processes to life and optimizing them.
• Proven Cybersecurity Measures Track Record: You have a proven track record in developing and executing cybersecurity measures specifically tailored to Operational Technology environments. This highlights your understanding of unique OT risks and your ability to implement effective security controls in industrial settings.
• Solid IT Fundamentals Understanding: You possess a solid understanding of IT fundamentals across the platforms mentioned, with the critical ability to bridge IT and OT domains. This enables seamless communication and integration between enterprise IT and industrial control systems.
• Proactive and Independent Problem-Solving: You are highly proactive and capable of independently identifying technical needs, meticulously planning and executing tests, effectively resolving issues, and delivering robust solutions. Your self-sufficiency is vital for continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative Mindset with Operational Acumen: You exhibit a collaborative mindset, working effectively across teams. You have the ability to balance operational priorities in continuous production environments, ensuring system integrity and minimizing downtime even while implementing changes or resolving issues.
• Strong Communication Skills (Technical to Non-Technical): You are a strong communicator who can effectively translate complex technical changes and risks into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences (e.g., plant managers, operations staff). This bridges the communication gap between engineering and business.

Work Authorization:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship OR hold an existing employer-sponsored visa (e.g., H1b). The employer is unable to accommodate education or training visas (F1, OPT, CPT, etc.).

Make an Impact: Why Join This Team

This is a profound opportunity to work in a technically sophisticated environment where Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) converge, shaping the future of manufacturing in the beverage industry. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team that values operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, directly influencing the efficiency and security of 24/7 manufacturing operations. The organization offers a strong commitment to safety, quality, and sustainability, with a culture that encourages initiative and professional growth. Your contributions will be instrumental in building a dependable manufacturing technology environment that contributes to a broader global knowledge-sharing network.