Operational Technology Network Engineer

Charter Manufacturing is a fourth-generation family-owned business where our will to grow drives us to do it better.  Join the team and become part of our family!

NEW ROLE!  Charter Steel is hiring an Operation Technology Network Engineer in Saukville WI or Cleveland OH!

Charter Steel is a leading American supplier of carbon and alloy steel bar, rod and wire products, and the largest steel coil processor in North America. As a fully integrated steelmaker with locations in Ohio and Wisconsin, Charter Steel offers a full range of grade and size coiled products and vast technical service experience.Charter Steel is a member of the Charter Manufacturing family of companies.

Job summary:

The OT Network Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining industrial network infrastructure to ensure seamless communication between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) systems. This role supports smart factories, automation systems, and industrial control networks, with a strong emphasis on security, reliability, and compliance with industry regulations. The engineer will collaborate closely with production teams, maintenance personnel, IT staff, and cybersecurity professionals to maintain a secure and efficient manufacturing environment.

Position specifics:

• Location:  Saukville WI or Cleveland OH

• Schedule: Hybrid role, 3 days per week in the office

• Travel: Up to 5% travel between Saukville WI and Cleveland OH

• Relocation:  Benefits available

Key responsibilities:

Network Architecture & Integration

• Design and deploy industrial network architectures supporting MES, SCADA, PLCs, HMIs, and IIoT.

• Configure and maintain industrial Ethernet, VLANs, and segmented networks.

• Integrate OT and IT networks to enable secure data flow between production and enterprise systems.

• Apply zero-trust architecture to secure PLCs, robots, IoT devices, and SCADA components.

System Monitoring & Performance

• Develop tools and teams for continuous monitoring of OT network traffic, latency, and uptime.

• Optimize network performance for high availability and real-time machine communication.

• Diagnose and resolve plant issues related to latency, interference, and other network root causes.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with ISA/IEC 62443, NIST, and ISO 27001 standards.

• Conduct security audits, vulnerability assessments, and manage patching for industrial systems.

• Develop and maintain incident response plans for network failures and cyber threats.

• Implement backup and recovery strategies for network configurations.

Operational Support & Troubleshooting

• Provide technical escalation support for plant engineers, maintenance, and IT teams.

• Troubleshoot automation system connectivity issues in a 24/7/365 environment.

• Support integration of new plant equipment through architecture and device configuration.

Documentation & Change Management

• Maintain network diagrams, security policies, and compliance documentation.

• Document configurations, change management records, and troubleshooting guides.

• Assess and develop Management of Change (MoC) processes for OT systems.

Data & System Integration

• Support data architecture across SCADA, MES, ERP, and business intelligence systems.

• Implement critical system solutions in continuous operation environments.

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Network Engineering, Industrial Automation, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in network administration, IT/OT systems, or industrial automation consisting of PLC, I/O, IIOT, Thin Clients, Managed Switches, and other ICS network components in manufacturing.

• Understanding of network fundamentals, including TCP/IP, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing, and switching.

• 3+ years of experience with industrial network protocols (e.g., Modbus, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, DNP3).

• 3+ years of experience with integration of firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and network security principles.

• Understanding of cybersecurity concepts and risk management for OT environments.

• Experience with network troubleshooting tools such as Wireshark, SNMP monitoring, or NetFlow.

Nice to have:

• 6+ years of experience in network administration, IT/OT systems, or industrial automation consisting of SCADA, PLC, I/O, IIOT, Thin Clients, Managed Switches, and other ICS network components in manufacturing.

• Industrial Control System (ICS) certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Industrial

• ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Certification

• GIAC Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP)

• CompTIA Network+ or Security+

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (Preferred for cybersecurity-focused roles)

Apply today! Join us to tailor your career path and make a significant impact!

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We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, along with a 401(k) plan that includes employer matching and profit sharing. Additionally, we offer company-paid life insurance, disability coverage, and paid time off (PTO).