OT & Automation Engineer

OT & Automation Engineer Newcastle Upon Tyne Up to £52,000 basic + competitive benefits We are seeking an OT & Automation Engineer to support the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) within a manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for supporting automation projects, maintaining control systems, enhancing cyber security compliance, and helping drive digital transformation initiatives across site operations. Key Responsibilities OT & Industrial Control Systems * Provide technical support for control system maintenance, troubleshooting and improvement activities. * Support design modifications and automation projects across site operations. * Develop and maintain Industrial Control System network architecture documentation, including equipment locations, network addresses and communication routes. * Implement and maintain control system backup and recovery processes. * Support business continuity planning for control systems. * Maintain and support control system spare parts inventories. * Assist with the deployment of digital manufacturing initiatives and operational technology improvements. Automation Projects * Work with automation integrators to develop technical solutions and project specifications. * Support vendor selection and automation project execution. * Contribute to project feasibility assessments, cost estimates and implementation plans. * Collaborate with site engineering, IT and external suppliers to deliver automation solutions. Cyber Security * Act as a key point of contact for OT cyber security activities. * Ensure cyber security standards and policies are implemented and maintained. * Carry out cyber security risk and vulnerability assessments. * Support threat identification and mitigation activities. * Maintain records of Industrial Control System assets and lifecycle management. * Deliver awareness training and support compliance initiatives. Process Safety & Compliance * Maintain control system documentation including logic diagrams, interlocks and operating limits. * Support functional safety activities and process hazard reviews. * Identify and manage critical control system equipment. * Contribute to safe and reliable plant operations. Skills & Experience * Degree in Electronics, Automation, Industrial Control, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline. * Minimum 3 years' experience in an automation or control systems engineering role. * Experience maintaining industrial control systems within a manufacturing environment. * Strong knowledge of PLC programming and troubleshooting. * Experience with platforms such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Honeywell, ABB or similar. * Understanding of industrial communication protocols including Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet and wireless networks. * Knowledge of cyber security principles, network architecture and data acquisition systems. * Experience with databases such as SQL and OPC environments. * Experience working with field instrumentation and plant control systems