IT/OT Onsite Network Engineer

IT/OT Onsite Network Engineer - Contract Role (Cardiff)

Location: Cardiff, UK
Duration: 12 months
Working Pattern: Office-based
On-call support required for priority incidents

A leading organisation is seeking an experienced IT/OT Onsite Network Engineer to support high-priority digital transformation and security projects in a manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on, office-based role in Cardiff, ideal for professionals with deep experience in network engineering across IT and OT domains.

Why This Role Stands Out

Make an impact by securing and enabling critical OT infrastructure.
Work with cutting-edge tech across IT/OT networks, Firewalls, and industrial protocols.
Be part of a forward-thinking team driving innovation in manufacturing and digital operations.

Key Responsibilities

Support delivery of IT/OT security projects in collaboration with digital technology leadership.
Coordinate with facility, EHS, quality, and operations teams on Secure Shop Connection initiatives.
Conduct OT/IT asset discovery and manage ongoing maintenance.
Build and maintain compliance documentation and infrastructure records.
Oversee hardware procurement and shop floor asset connectivity.
Perform malware scanning and patch management for OT devices.
Configure and deploy network infrastructure (eg, Switches, network taps).
Implement removable media controls and recovery/backup solutions.
Schedule and execute annual OT/IT device scanning.

Essential Skills & Experience

Network Firewall rule configuration, VLANs, Switches, and network taps.
Secure protocol knowledge: OPC-UA, Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, SMB.
Experience with Firewalls (Checkpoint), SD-WAN, Cisco Switches/Routers.
LAN/WAN design and routing protocol implementation.
Hands-on experience with OT enablement tools (Remote Access, Monitoring, Backups).
Certifications: CCNA/CCNP, CompTIA Network+, OT SANS (recommended).

Desirable Experience

10+ years in IT/OT environments.
Experience integrating IT networks with OT systems.
Familiarity with OT assets (HMIs, PLCs, CNCs, 3D printers).
Exposure to edge technologies (AWS Storage Gateway, IoT, OpsVision).