Operational Technology Engineer

Merck•Norwood, OH

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Operational Technology Engineer is responsible for supporting the implementation, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Operational Technology systems across the manufacturing environment. The role ensures that OT systems are implemented in line with approved architectures, maintained according to operational and cybersecurity standards, and supported through effective incident, change, asset, problem, disaster recovery, and knowledge management processes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology (e.g.), Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Industrial Engineering, etc.
1 + years’ experience working with Operational Technology systems in a manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environment.
1+ years’ experience with OT systems such as SCADA, PLC, DCS, HMI, MES, industrial networks, historians, or manufacturing execution platforms.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of IT/OT infrastructure, including servers, workstations, networks, firewalls, access management, and patching.
Basic understanding of cybersecurity principles applicable to manufacturing or industrial control systems.
Experience supporting system lifecycle activities, documentation, and operational procedures.
Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate resolution across cross-functional teams
Experience with incident, change, asset, and problem management processes.
Experience in regulated manufacturing environments, such as pharmaceutical, life science, chemical, healthcare, electronics, or other GMP/GxP environments.
Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity standards and practices, such as IEC 62443, NIST, or similar frameworks.
Experience with disaster recovery planning and execution for manufacturing or OT systems.
Experience with IT service management tools and processes, such as ITIL-based incident, change, problem, and knowledge management.
Knowledge of manufacturing digital transformation, OT master planning, or site technology roadmaps.
Good understanding of manufacturing operations and OT system dependencies.
Strong documentation and process discipline.
Ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, IT, cybersecurity, quality, and external vendors.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical topics to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Structured and proactive approach to incident resolution and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Implement OT systems in accordance with approved solution designs, architectures, standards, and OT principles.
Execute and test changes to OT systems in alignment with OT principles, site procedures, and change management requirements.
Manage OT system incidents and drive timely resolution in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Coordinate IT incidents that impact the OT systems under responsibility and record, validate, and process user queries received through agreed service desk channels.
Manage lifecycle and records of IT/OT assets, including asset identification, registration, updates, and maintenance of accurate asset data.
Support strategies to address equipment obsolescence and ensure continued performance, reliability, and supportability of manufacturing systems.
Perform periodic reviews of major and recurring incidents to identify underlying problems and improvement opportunities and investigate identified problems, communicate known errors, and apply or recommend workarounds where appropriate.
Support regular disaster recovery exercises for OT systems and support execution of disaster recovery plan activities for OT systems in event of a disruption or disaster.
Execute routine cybersecurity activities on OT systems, including access management, patching, vulnerability remediation support, and security monitoring activities.
Maintain and monitor critical OT security infrastructure, including networks, firewalls, and related security components, to help ensure manufacturing systems remain reliable and secure.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute a cohesive digital and OT strategy.
Support the site’s digital transformation roadmap by ensuring OT systems, projects, and lifecycle plans are aligned with business priorities.