AVP, Team Lead, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Security & Resiliency (Power Sector)

AECOM•Houston, TX

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a seasoned Cyber-Physical System (CPS) Security & Resiliency growth leader to establish and grow our Cyber-Physical System Security & Resiliency team. This role builds the firm’s capability to help clients strengthen and modernize cyber-physical environments through integrated security, risk, and resilience strategies. While governance and risk may intersect with information technology (IT), this role is not IT-centric. The focus is on the safety, security, and resilience of cyber-physical systems across CPS/OT environments (e.g., industrial control systems (ICS), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), OT) and digitally enabled CPS/IT systems. The primary objectives include establishing the CPS Security & Resilience Team as a source of top and bottom-line growth within the Energy Practice, strengthening client confidence and executive trust in AECOM’s ability to manage modern infrastructure risk, establishing a repeatable, scalable CPS capability that integrates with existing AECOM services, positioning AECOM as a trusted consultant on the convergence of infrastructure, automation, AI, and physical consequence, and establishing governance, risk, and resilience models for the integration of AI and advanced analytics into CPS/OT and CPS/IT environments, with explicit focus on physical consequence, system safety, and operational continuity.

Requirements

BS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field and 10 years of related experience
Minimum of 10 years of business leadership experience in cyber-physical systems, OT/ICS, infrastructure security, or resilience.
Minimum of 10 years of experience delivering advisory services (strategy, governance, road mapping, program development, compliance) into cyber-physical system OT, ICS, and SCADA environments.
Minimum years of OT or ICS experience in consulting, engineering, or cyber-physical environments.
Proven track record of growth, building, and scaling capabilities inside large engineering (AEC), EPC, or infrastructure organizations.
Proven ability to translate risk into executive-level decision frameworks and business outcomes.
Experience working across matrixed organizations with multiple business lines and stakeholders.
Advanced knowledge of relevant CPS, OT, and cyber risk frameworks and regulatory constructs applicable to cyber-physical systems within critical infrastructure environments.
Strong communication skills with experience developing client-facing reports, strategies, roadmaps, and presentations.
Deep understanding of Power sector systems and the operational realities of infrastructure delivery.

Nice To Haves

Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred
15 years of OT or ICS experience in consulting, engineering, or cyber-physical environments.
Cyber-physical training or certifications are preferred, e.g. – C|CISO, GICSP, CISSP
Consequence-focused training for Physical & Digital Infrastructure, e.g. Consequence-Driven, Cyber-Informed Engineering (CCE ACCELERATE)
AI-governance and/or AI-risk related training
15 years of P&L ownership experience
Previous experience developing CPS service offerings
Previous experience developing and managing CPS-related managed services
Industry voices and distinction preferred, e.g. – Previously published in industry journals.
Previous conference speaking engagements.
Participated in various media such as TV, radio, podcasts, and webinars.

Responsibilities

Establish the CPS Security & Resilience practice for the Power sector
Develop and execute go-to-market, recruitment, and top- and bottom-line growth strategies for the CPS Security & Resiliency workstream
Support strategic pursuits and key accounts from the cyber-physical resiliency lens, where CPS risk influences project outcomes or client confidence.
Engage client executives, boards, and regulators on system-level risk, resilience, and governance.
Act as a strategic partner to leadership on infrastructure resilience, reliability, and operational risk
Advise clients on cyber-physical risk and resiliency implications of AI-enabled grid modernization, automation, DER integration, advanced protection schemes, and digitally enabled control environments
Oversee and guide the development of reusable tools, templates, frameworks, and best practices for CPS Security & Resiliency
Partner closely with Advisory leadership to align CPS services with broader operational, digital, and risk advisory offerings
Coordinate with existing IT, OT, and cyber resources across AECOM to avoid duplication and fragmentation
Work closely with senior leadership to shape AECOM’s CPS Security & Resilience offerings and expand market presence
Lead project workstreams while teaching and mentoring junior staff
Support capture and proposal activities, including developing scopes of work, methodologies, and strategic content
Build and maintain strong client relationships to identify new opportunities and ensure successful delivery
Serve as a bridge between technical specialists and executive-level client discussions
Lead OT engagements related to cyber-physical systems
Lead client engagements addressing AI-enabled CPS risk, resilience, and governance across CPS/OT and CPS/IT environments, including model risk, autonomy, decision authority, and failure propagation into physical systems
Lead cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability analyses, and program reviews to help clients identify risks and prioritize improvements
Conduct maturity assessments, risk evaluations, gap analyses, and policy reviews to help clients define long-term CPS/OT and CPS/IT strategies
Develop OT governance models, operational frameworks, and investment plans that guide clients through modernization and lifecycle planning
Facilitate workshops, interviews, and stakeholder meetings to gather requirements and translate them into strategic recommendations
Embed CPS risk considerations into pursuits, delivery models, and client engagements
Develop OT and ICS cybersecurity programs aligned with frameworks such as NIST CSF, NERC CIP, and IEC 62443
Prepare guidance for OT security controls, monitoring approaches, segmentation strategies, governance, and compliance
Provide industry leadership and guidance on CPS/OT and CPS/IT security & resiliency, promoting alignment with enterprise risk management, regulatory expectations, and delivery realities
Advise clients on CPS architecture concepts, technology options, integration considerations, and migration strategies
Oversee and guide master planning for CPS, including AI-enabled CPS, grid modernization, SCADA and EMS/DMS evolution, advanced automation, digital substations, and next-generation OT and CPS/IT architectures
Evaluate operational risks and recommend solutions that improve resiliency, reliability, and worker safety in CPS/OT environments