Senior Operational Technology Engineer

Cellares•South San Francisco, CA

3d•$90,000 - $210,000

About The Position

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Operational Technology Engineer to lead and support IT/OT operations in a global cell therapy manufacturing lab environment. This role is responsible for end-to-end OT infrastructure, including network and security on proprietary equipment, while ensuring secure access management, compliant change control, and 24x7 operations. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership to drive system reliability, scalability, and regulatory compliance across multiple sites. Candidates should enjoy working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, and be prepared to tackle a broad selection of challenges as the company grows.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in related field or proper training
7+ years of relevant experience
Proven experience in IT management with a manufacturing or industrial setting, with a strong focus on 24x7 operational support
Experience with monitoring, server management, and cybersecurity best practices
Experience with Fortigate firewalls, Hirschmann industrial switches, lab and warehouse equipment
Experience with various applications such as Nutanix Prism, SharePoint, and JIRA
Experience working in a biotech regulated environment
Knowledge of and experience with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) required
Ability to independently prioritize work and deliver results effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to be a strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure
Requires availability for on-call support and extended hours during critical system issues to maintain 24x7 operations
Self-awareness, integrity, authenticity, and a growth/entrepreneurial mindset

Responsibilities

Manage and deliver OT systems and technology for the companyâs industrial and cell manufacturing environments
Own and maintain a robust OT roadmap, including project objectives, prioritization, and implementation plans
Ensure OT production environments adhere to security best practices and comply with relevant regulations
Provide hands-on technical support and troubleshooting for production-related OT/IT issues, ensuring minimal disruption to 24x7 operations
Implement and monitor OT production systems to guarantee 24x7 uptime and reliability, including network, server, biotech manufacturing lab, and proprietary equipment
Develop and deliver training programs for new OT staff relating to production environment
Contribute to creating, maintaining SOPs, Policies, and Process
Lead and support GMP-related activities, including change control, system validation, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and audit readiness
Own OT access management processes, including user provisioning, role-based access control, and periodic access reviews to ensure compliance with GxP, data integrity, and cybersecurity requirements
Ensure compliance with industry regulations, standards, and best practices related to OT and data security
Provide backup support to Corporate IT as needed to ensure continuity of enterprise IT services