Manufacturing Operations Technology Specialist

Job Title: Manufacturing Operations Technology Specialist

Contract or Permanent

Hybrid role - Occasional onsite work in Hampshire

Function: To play a critical role in bridging the gap between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) within the manufacturing facility.

Reports to: Manager, Operational Technology & Automation

Job Purpose Statement

The Manufacturing OT Specialist serves as the technical lead bridging Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) within the plant. This role focuses on the design, integration, and optimization of MES, SCADA, PLC, and related automation systems. The primary responsibility is to ensure that equipment, sensors, and software systems work seamlessly together to enable real-time visibility, data integrity, and efficient manufacturing operations.

This position plays a key role in digitalization, automation strategy, and capital project execution, rather than day-to-day frontline support.

Main Responsibilities

1. Systems Architecture & Integration

• Lead the design, integration, and continuous improvement of MES, SCADA, and PLC systems across the manufacturing environment.
• Ensure the reliable flow of real-time data between equipment, controls, MES, SCADA, historians, and ERP.
• Serve as the plant's subject matter expert for IT/OT convergence, industrial networking, and data model alignment (ISA-95 or similar).

2. Digitalization & Automation Leadership

• Drive plant digitalization initiatives, including automation upgrades, MES enhancements, sensor deployments, and data visibility tools.
• Provide technical leadership for capital projects involving controls, MES upgrades, or new production technologies.
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend adoption pathways for the plant's automation roadmap.

3. MES / SCADA Engineering

• Develop, configure, and implement new MES functionalities, workflows, dashboards, and integrations.
• Guide SCADA and MES improvements aligned with corporate standards and operational needs.
• Collaborate with system integrators and corporate engineering to implement new software platforms or system enhancements.

4. Controls & OT Systems Engineering

• Provide engineering-level support for PLC logic review, HMI design updates, and control system design decisions.
• Support the development and review of control strategies for new equipment and processes.
• Oversee modifications to control systems, ensuring safety, compliance, and engineering rigor.

5. Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Ensure all OT systems follow cybersecurity policies, patching strategies, user access controls, and network segmentation.
• Partner with IT security to safeguard plant control systems, including PLCs, SCADA servers, and MES infrastructure.
• Maintain compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the technical liaison between maintenance, IT, corporate engineering, system integrators, and plant operations.
• Provide engineering guidance—not routine troubleshooting—to ensure long-term stability of OT systems.
• Translate operational goals into system requirements and implement solutions collaboratively.

7. Documentation & Governance

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of technical documentation, system architecture diagrams, and change management records.
• Establish best practices, standards, and governance models for OT systems and integrations.
• Provide targeted training to maintenance/operations teams when new technologies or processes are introduced.

8. Other

• To carry out any reasonable job-related request.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Automation, Industrial Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• 3–7 years of experience in manufacturing automation, OT systems, MES/SCADA engineering, or IT/OT integration.
• Strong understanding of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and communication protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
• Experience with at least one MES platform (Siemens Opcenter, Ignition MES, Rockwell FTPC, AVEVA MES, etc.).
• Familiarity with control system design, industrial data models, and system architecture.

Preferred

• Experience with digital transformation initiatives in manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks for OT environments (ISA/IEC 62443).
• Experience leading integrators, contractors, or cross-functional project teams.
• Strong knowledge of SQL databases, scripting languages, and reporting/analytics tools.

Job Accountabilities:

• The employee must carry out the role as described and raise any issues or concerns regarding, compliance, deadline achievable or content to their line manager

• It is the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the Health, Safety and Environment of himself and of other persons, who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work, and as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his/her employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions (HSAW 1974 section.7)

Amendment of Job Description

• This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is recognised such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility. Such variations are regarded as a common occurrence and cannot of themselves necessarily justify a regrading of the post.