Network Engineer

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Network Engineer- Operational Technology (OT)

Engineering Department

Location: Norwalk, CT

Actively seeking to hire a skilled Network Engineer to join our team in the chemical industry, focusing on Operational Technology (OT) environments. The ideal candidate should have a BS in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT) or related field, as well as have a strong background in networking and industrial control systems. You will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust network solutions that ensure the security and efficiency of our operations.

Skills Required:

• Regular and consistent attendance at our Norwalk location is required.
• Excellent verbal/ written communication & teamwork abilities.
• High level of competence in the use of PC/ Servers for business and technical applications.
• Excellent organization skills, persistence, good judgment, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge and mechanical ability to design and troubleshoot networking and routing issues at a chemical facility.
• Knowledge of Process Historians and report generation based on data collection.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• BS in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT), or related field.
• Proven experience (5 years) in network engineering, preferably in an OT manufacturing environment.
• Experience with VMware ESXI is critical.
• Strong knowledge of routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP) and VLAN configuration.
• Familiarity with industrial networking standards (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus).
• Experience with cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Install, Configure, Manage, and Optimize VMware ESXi hypervisors on physical servers.
• Deploy VMware ESXi clusters, integrating with vCenter Server for centralized management and monitoring.
• Configure & optimize ESXi host settings, including networking, storage, and security, for improved performance and reliability.
• Manage and update ESXi hosts with patch management, firmware upgrades, and hot fixes using VMware Update Manager (VUM).
• Create & manage virtual machines within the ESXi environment, including configuring CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources.
• Configure VM snapshots and backup solutions, such as DATTO for disaster recovery and business continuity.
• Use VMware vSphere Client and ESXi command-line interface (CLI) for advanced troubleshooting and host management.
• Automate common administrative tasks in ESXi using PowerCLI, including VM deployment, configuration, and management.
• Utilize ESXi logs, vSphere Health Monitoring, and diagnostic tools for troubleshooting and issue resolution.
• Leverage VMware vSphere API and third-party tools to integrate ESXi with other enterprise systems for improved automation.
• Engage in root cause analysis for incidents, identifying and implementing corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
• Network Design & Implementation:
• Design and deploy network architectures for OT environments, including routing protocols, VLANs, and subnetting.
• Configure and manage network devices (routers, switches, firewalls) to optimize performance and reliability.
• Replace aged computers and hardware with modern ones – part of a site-wide modernization project.
• Infrastructure Development
• Design infrastructure improvements to increase data throughput within the plant.
• Deploy new infrastructure to help advance capital projects and complete jobs within the plant.
• Understand the connections between the process buildings and how the associated buildings communicate with each other.
• Cybersecurity:
• Implement cybersecurity measures to protect OT networks from internal and external threats.
• Monitor network traffic for anomalies and respond to security incidents.
• Develop and enforce security policies and procedures in line with industry standards.
• Troubleshooting & Maintenance:
• Conduct regular network assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network issues, ensuring minimal downtime in production environments.
• Collaborate with IT teams to integrate OT and IT networks where applicable.
• Documentation & Compliance:
• Maintain detailed documentation of network configurations, processes, and security protocols.
• Process Historian & Database Programming
• Maintain the Process Historian and reports that are generated and distributed to personnel for process tracking.
• Ensure reports are being maintained and up to standard for compliance with environmental regulations and process safety management.
• Collaboration & Training:
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering, and IT, to support network requirements.
• Provide training and support to personnel on network best practices and cybersecurity awareness.