OT Network Engineer

OT Network EngineerOur client, an established manufacturer of consumer products, is hiring an OT Network Engineer to implement, maintain, and support secure, reliable OT network infrastructure at its West Tennessee manufacturing site, with collaboration across sister plants as needed. This role keeps the plant floor connected—configuring, monitoring, and resolving OT network issues so manufacturing operations run uninterrupted—while partnering with IT, Automation, and Information Security to integrate and secure industrial networks and advance digital manufacturing initiatives. The work splits roughly 60% implementation and new-project delivery and 40% operations and support, so you will spend the majority of your time standing up and improving infrastructure rather than only sustaining it. You will gain hands-on experience with advanced industrial networking and security technologies and deepen your knowledge of SCADA systems and industrial protocols as the team builds smarter, more connected factories. If you are energized by technology, problem-solving, and visible impact on the plant floor, this is a strong fit.ResponsibilitiesDesign, configure, and maintain OT network infrastructure (switches, routers, firewalls, wireless, VPN) to achieve 99.5%+ network uptime.Monitor OT network performance and proactively resolve incidents within defined SLA targets to minimize production impact.Implement and maintain network automation practices (VLANs, device backups, patching) to sustain 95%+ patch compliance.Partner with Automation Engineers to support reliable ICS, SCADA, and PLC connectivity across the plant floor.Collaborate with IT and Information Security teams to ensure secure OT/IT network integration and audit readiness.Apply the Purdue model as the foundational framework for OT network segmentation and zone-based security.Execute network changes with a 95%+ success rate while supporting new OT system deployments.Identify and implement network optimization opportunities that improve performance, security, and reliability.Support Industry 4.0 initiatives through collaboration with process and automation engineering teams.Required Qualifications3–5 years of network administration experience, including 2+ years supporting industrial or OT networks.Hands-on experience with industrial Ethernet, routing, switching, and network security appliances.Working knowledge of the Purdue model as a foundational framework for OT architecture and segmentation.Experience with either Cisco or Fortinet networking and security platforms, with a willingness to learn the other.Working knowledge of ICS/SCADA protocols (OPC, Modbus, PROFINET, CIP, DNP3).Familiarity with PLCs and the automation equipment common to manufacturing environments.CCNA or equivalent certification.Preferred QualificationsExperience with Cisco Industrial Ethernet switches, Firepower, Client, and Catalyst Center—or Fortinet equivalents such as FortiGate, FortiSwitch, and FortiNAC.Familiarity with OT security and visibility tools such as Cisco Cyber Vision and Stealthwatch, or comparable OT-monitoring platforms.Knowledge of IEC standards (60870-5-101/104, 61850).Prior experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.CCNP or equivalent certification.Success MeasuresNetwork uptime: maintain 99.5%+ uptime for critical OT network infrastructure.Incident response: resolve priority incidents within defined SLA targets.Patch compliance: achieve 95%+ compliance for security patches on OT network devices.Change success: execute network changes with a 95%+ success rate without causing disruption.Network performance: keep latency and bandwidth utilization within acceptable thresholds.Stakeholder satisfaction: positive feedback from plant operations and automation teams.