OT and Automation Engineer

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•Sheboygan Falls, WI

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled Operational Technology (OT) Engineer to oversee cybersecurity compliance and OT infrastructure management at our manufacturing site. This role will focus on ensuring the integrity and security of our operational technology (OT) systems, managing site equipment maintenance, and developing comprehensive risk management strategies. The ideal candidate will serve as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for long-term decision-making and guidance on digital transformation initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or other Engineering discipline.
5+ years working experience in OT system design, service delivery.
3+ years working experience in OT Infrastructure Design, Software Engineering or OT security.

Nice To Haves

Strong project management capabilities, including planning and scheduling, budgeting, progress tracking, reporting, risk/issue management, and escalation.
Proficient in planning, interfacing, and programming industrial control systems, including DCS, PLC, BMS, and WCS.
Experience implementing and managing manufacturing and enterprise systems such as MES, LIMS, LES, Data Historians, ERP, and PLM platforms.
Experience with operational technology (OT) environments, including DCS, SCADA, PLCs, .and IoT devices.
Experience with implementing and managing cybersecurity layers of protection within OT environments; GICSP or related cybersecurity certifications
Hands-on experience with virtualized environments and networking technologies, including VMs, VLANs, firewalls, storage systems, Active Directory, and physical networks.
Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to perform effectively under pressure in complex operational settings.

Responsibilities

Execute, test, and manage OT system changes, incidents, and service requests in alignment with OT and IT service management principles.
Coordinate and resolve IT incidents impacting OT systems, including root cause analysis, recurring issue reviews, and implementation of corrective actions or workarounds.
Manage the full lifecycle of IT/OT assets and manufacturing systems, including asset records, obsolescence planning, maintenance strategies, and performance optimization.
Translate OT solution designs into software, hardware, and configuration implementations while maintaining documentation and knowledge repositories.
Lead OT cybersecurity activities, including access management, patching, vulnerability assessments, policy compliance, and monitoring of networks and firewalls.
Develop, execute, and continuously improve disaster recovery, business continuity, and site resilience plans through regular exercises and lessons learned.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and deliver the site’s OT strategy, digital transformation roadmap, and OT master plan aligned with business priorities.
Identify and mitigate operational, manufacturing, and cybersecurity risks while promoting safety, compliance, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement across the site.