OT Network Subject Matter Expert

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Position Overview

NScale is seeking an OT Network Subject Matter Expert to support the design, deployment, validation, and operation of highly available OT networks across NScale data centers. This role owns the industrial networking layer that connects PLC systems, field devices, and SCADA platforms, ensuring that network architectures meet NScale requirements for resiliency, cybersecurity, determinism, and maintainability. The role works closely with Controls Engineers, SCADA SMEs, IT/network teams, system integrators, and commissioning teams to ensure OT networks are deployed as mission-critical infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and review of OT network architectures including EtherNet/IP, VLAN segmentation, zone-based design, managed switches, firewall boundaries, and redundancy strategies appropriate for critical facilities.
• Validate OT network designs for resilience, determinism, maintainability, and elimination of single points of failure, including review of PRP, DLR, or equivalent redundancy topologies where applicable.
• Review vendor and integrator network designs, switch configurations, addressing plans, cabinet layouts, and documentation for compliance with NScale OT design standards.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams to ensure OT network segmentation, remote access controls, firewall policies, authentication requirements, and secure operational practices are properly implemented.
• Participate in FAT, SAT, commissioning, and failover testing for OT network infrastructure, including switch redundancy, network recovery, and communications validation between PLC and SCADA layers.
• Support troubleshooting of OT network performance, configuration, or communications issues during deployment and live operations.
• Partner with SCADA, controls, and IT teams to ensure clean interfaces between the OT network, control system devices, and upstream monitoring platforms.
• Maintain network documentation including topology diagrams, VLAN and IP plans, firewall rules, redundancy diagrams, standards, and turnover records.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience supporting industrial or OT networks in manufacturing, industrial, utilities, or mission-critical environments.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking concepts including EtherNet/IP, managed switches, VLANs, routing and switching fundamentals, network segmentation, and redundancy design.
• Experience supporting PLC and SCADA environments and understanding how OT network design impacts system performance and availability.
• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity practices including segmentation, access control, patch coordination, and secure remote support.
• Experience supporting field testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of industrial network infrastructure.

Preferred

• Experience with PRP, DLR, or similar industrial redundancy protocols.
• Experience supporting data center BMS, EPMS, or other critical infrastructure OT networks.
• Hands-on familiarity with industrial networking vendors such as Cisco Industrial, Stratix, Hirschmann, or similar platforms.
• CCNA, industrial networking certification, or equivalent technical credentials.

Key Competencies

OT network architecture | Resiliency and redundancy | Cybersecurity alignment | Vendor design review | Commissioning and failover testing | Troubleshooting | Documentation discipline

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