Operational Technology Engineer

The Operational Technology Engineer designs, implements, optimizes, and supports automation and digital manufacturing systems for umbilical manufacturing operations in Panama City, Florida. This role drives continuous improvement through advanced automation, process optimization, and emerging technologies that improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and IT, the engineer supports the development of scalable, secure, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions while supporting IT/OT convergence and smart manufacturing initiatives. The role serves as a technology leader, advancing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and other Industry 4.0 capabilities that prepare the facility for future growth and operational excellence.

• Support the evaluation, design, implementation, and optimization of automated manufacturing systems, equipment upgrades, and emerging technologies that improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, and OEE.

• Troubleshoot and resolve equipment, production, quality, and process issues using root cause analysis and continuous improvement methods.

• Collaborate with Product Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, IT, suppliers, and system integrators to develop manufacturing solutions that meet business, regulatory, and customer requirements.

• Define equipment specifications, evaluate suppliers and proposals, and support design reviews, procurement support, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and stabilization activities.

• Configure, integrate, and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES, motion control, industrial communication, and manufacturing data systems.

• Support industrial cybersecurity and IT/OT convergence initiatives, including secure network architecture, remote access, account management, backup and recovery, network segmentation, patch management, virtualization, historians, cloud connectivity, and enterprise integration.

• Champion digital transformation by evaluating and implementing IIoT, artificial intelligence, machine vision, advanced analytics, and other smart manufacturing technologies that deliver measurable operational value.

• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and project execution support while fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

• Develops and leverages cross-industry and enterprise-wide relationships to identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies that drive innovation, operational excellence, and future business capabilities.

 

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related discipline and at least 5 - 7 years of industrial automation experience; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered.

• Extensive hands-on experience programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimizing Siemens-based automation systems, including SIMATIC S7 and fail-safe PLCs, HMIs, motion control, SCADA/WinCC platforms, TIA Portal, STEP 7, and SINAMICS/MASTERDRIVES drives in complex manufacturing environments.

• Practical experience supporting PROFIBUS, PROFINET, distributed I/O, and other industrial communication networks.

• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles and their application within control systems and plant networks.

• Experience supporting IT/OT convergence involving secure networking, plant-floor connectivity, and manufacturing data integration.

• Strong organizational skills with an emphasis on technical documentation, standardization, software lifecycle management, and disciplined change control.

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives, influence cross-functional teams, mentor others, and drive continuous improvement and technology adoption.

 

DESIRED

• Experience in an environment using Inductive Automation Ignition

• Coordinated motion control, common DC bus drive systems, PID tuning, tension control, temperature control, and continuous manufacturing processes.

• Electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and system documentation using AutoCAD or equivalent CAD software.

• Application of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 79 to industrial automation and manufacturing equipment.

• Experience in automation modernization projects, control system migrations, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing technology deployments.

• Integration of PLC, SCADA, HMI, MES, historians, databases, and enterprise systems to improve operational visibility and data-driven decision-making.

• Support of Implementation of industrial cybersecurity controls, including network segmentation, secure remote access, backup and recovery, and patch management.

• Evaluation, piloting, and deployment of IIoT, artificial intelligence, machine vision, predictive analytics, and other emerging manufacturing technologies.

• Demonstrated passion for emerging technologies and a proven track record of leading the adoption of Industrial IoT (IIoT), AI-driven analytics, smart manufacturing platforms, and digital transformation initiatives that improve operational performance and position the organization for future growth and competitiveness.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Ability to analyze situations accurately, utilizing a variety of analytical techniques to make well informed decisions.

• Ensures that important information on equipment issues or risks is communicated to management in a timely and professional manner. 

• Ability to teach others and provide constructive feedback on learning.   Gives and receives constructive feedback

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees, contractors, management, and cross-functional teams at all levels of the organization.

• Ensures that others involved in a project or effort are consistently kept informed about developments and plans. 

Working Conditions 

• Primarily indoors during the day and occasionally at night. 
• Frequently working on or near moving equipment and vibrating equipment. 
• When outdoors, humidity is frequently above 90%
• Noise is over 85 decibels.
• Light is intense/glare. 
• Occasional exposure to open fire/flames/sparks. 
• Frequent exposure to airborne dust, fumes, and gases.

Benefits Statement 

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.