Senior Operational Technology

Job Title: Senior Operational Technology (OT) Project Manager (Contract) - Job

Location: Houston, TX (hybrid)

Job Summary:

Our client is seeking a Senior Operational Technology Project Manager. The Senior Operational Technology (OT) Project Manager is responsible for leading and executing complex OT projects within the IT organization of a Fortune 200 company. This role requires a deep understanding of industrial automation, cybersecurity, and IT/OT convergence to drive strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, security, and compliance. The ideal candidate will partner with cross-functional teams, including IT, operations, engineering, and external vendors, to ensure the successful implementation of OT solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Execution:

• Manage full lifecycle OT projects, from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scope, timelines, budgets, risk assessments, and resource allocation.
• Drive IT/OT integration initiatives, ensuring seamless collaboration between enterprise IT and industrial control systems (ICS).

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Act as a liaison between IT, operations, and engineering teams to align OT initiatives with business objectives.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams to ensure OT systems adhere to industry security standards (e.g., NIST, ISA/IEC 62443).
• Work with vendors and service providers to deliver high-quality OT solutions while managing contracts and service agreements.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to OT project execution and cybersecurity threats.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., NERC CIP, FDA, ISO 27001) and internal IT/OT governance policies.
• Implement best practices for change management, system resilience, and disaster recovery in OT environments.

Technical & Business Alignment:

• Oversee the deployment of SCADA, DCS, MES, PLC, and other industrial automation systems.
• Support IT/OT infrastructure initiatives, including edge computing, cloud integration, and IoT deployments.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging OT trends, technologies, and regulatory changes impacting the organization.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Industrial Automation, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• 8+ years of project management experience in Operational Technology (OT), IT/OT convergence, or industrial automation.
• Strong experience in leading large-scale OT transformation projects within a corporate IT environment.
• Expertise in project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, PMP, PRINCE2).
• Knowledge of ICS, SCADA, MES, IIoT, and cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443).
• Experience with cloud-based OT solutions (AWS, Azure IoT, Edge Computing).
• Strong understanding of networking, industrial protocols (Modbus, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP), and OT cybersecurity.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.