Network Systems Engineer IT/OT & SCADA COMMUNICATION

• Design, integrate, configure, test, and support industrial communication networks and telemetry systems supporting SCADA and OT environments

• Perform application engineering to ensure network solutions meet customer objectives, system requirements, performance targets, and environmental constraints

• Evaluate existing network and telemetry systems and recommend improvements or upgrades

• Industrial Network Integration & Configuration

• Integrate, configure, and support industrial network devices including:

• Core and edge Ethernet switches
• Layer 3 switches and routers
• Firewalls, VPN appliances, and secure gateways
• Radio transceivers, cellular modems, and telemetry devices

• Configure and maintain network equipment in accordance with internal standards and cybersecurity best practices

• Assist with equipment deployment, on-site configuration, and system troubleshooting

• Network Design, Segmentation & Topologies

• Design industrial network topologies supporting reliability, redundancy, and deterministic communications

• Configure Layer 3 switches to support:

• VLAN creation and segmentation
• Inter-VLAN routing
• Traffic isolation and access controls

• Develop IP addressing schemes, subnetting strategies, and routing designs appropriate for OT environments

• Support secure IT/OT separation using firewalls, DMZ architectures, and VPN technologies

• Physical Computing Infrastructure Integration

• Ensure proper integration server rack infrastructure and network interconnection interfaces in accordance with project design, best practices, and engineering, safety, and documentation standards

• Establish physical and logical network interconnections between devices to support core network infrastructure and defined topologies

• Ensure rack and infrastructure builds align with cybersecurity, maintainability, and operational best practices

• Virtualized Computing & SCADA Support Systems

• Configure and assist with deployment of computer hardware including terminals, engineering workstations, and servers used to support SCADA and OT environments

• Install and configure hypervisors on physical hardware to enable secure, virtualized system implementations

• Deploy and configure operating systems in preparation for use by internal teams, including Automation Engineers responsible for SCADA application development and programming

• Collaborate with automation, controls, and IT teams to support development, testing, and deployment of SCADA applications

• Wireless, RF & Telemetry Communications

• Engineer and support distributed telemetry networks using wired and wireless communication paths

• Coordinate and perform radio feasibility studies and radio frequency (RF) assessments

• Analyze signal strength, interference, latency, throughput, and reliability issues

• Apply RF propagation principles to evaluate coverage, interference, throughput, and reliability

• Prepare formal documentation and reports for radio studies and system assessments

• Apply radio frequency (RF) propagation principles to design and troubleshoot wireless links

• Coordinate licensed and unlicensed radio systems and cellular communication paths

• Protocols, Interfaces & Communications

• Support IP-based and serial communication interfaces, including:

• TCP/IP and UDP networking
• Ethernet standards
• Serial communications (RS-232, RS-485, RS-422)

• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols such as:

• DNP3
• Ethernet/IP
• Modbus TCP/RTU
• IEC 60870-5-104 or similar

• Ensure reliable end-to-end communications between field devices and control systems

• Protocols, Interfaces & Diagnostics

• Configure and troubleshoot IP-based and serial communication interfaces, including:

• TCP/IP and UDP networking
• Ethernet standards
• Serial communications (RS-232, RS-485, RS-422)

• Support industrial communication protocols such as:

• DNP3
• Ethernet/IP
• Modbus TCP/RTU
• IEC 60870-5-104 or similar

• Utilize diagnostic and monitoring tools (e.g., SNMP, packet capture (Wireshark, traffic analysis) to troubleshoot network and telemetry issues

• Ensure reliable end-to-end communications between field devices and control systems

• Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Apply cybersecurity best practices for industrial networks, including:

• Network segmentation and least-privilege access
• Secure device configurations and credential management
• Encrypted communications and VPNs

• Support compliance with applicable standards and frameworks (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443, NERC CIP)

• Collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies

• Testing, Commissioning & Support

• Develop and execute factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) for network and telemetry systems

• Support commissioning activities in substations, plants, control centers, and remote field locations

• Provide Tier II/Tier III troubleshooting and operational support for network and telemetry issues

• Maintain accurate network diagrams, configuration records, and technical documentation

• Training & Collaboration

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers and technicians

• Support on-site customer and internal training as required

• Participate in ongoing training to maintain and expand knowledge of current and emerging technologies

• Collaborate with internal teams, customers, and vendors throughout the project lifecycle, * Combination of office, industrial facility, and field environments, depending on project needs.

• Office environment - sitting for long periods, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, bending. Work is primarily conducted indoors with varying environmental conditions such as fluorescent lighting and air conditioning.
• Field environment - jobsite visits as required to support project work. Work is often conducted in a construction zone (indoor and/or outdoor) with PPE requirements and varying environmental conditions such as higher noise levels, dust, dirt floors, concrete floors, and no air conditioning.
• Office work anticipated at approximately 65%-75%. Field activity expected about 25%-35%.

• Regular field travel, including remote sites. Ability to travel to customer sites, vendor facilities, or project locations (typically 25%-35%).
• Ability to meet safety, training, and site access requirements
• Ability to perform extensive computer work and work extended hours when necessary.
• May include work during off-hours for system cutovers, testing, or urgent support events.
• Occasional lifting of not to exceed 40 lbs.
• We fully comply with the ADA and applicable state law, including considering reasonable accommodation measures that may enable qualified disabled applicants and employees to perform essential functions.

Do you have a valid Driver's License license?, Do you have experience in VPN management?, * Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

• Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree, * 5+ years of experience designing, integrating, and supporting industrial or mission-critical communication networks
• Demonstrated experience with Layer 3 switching, VLAN segmentation, and routed networks
• Experience supporting SCADA, telemetry, or OT network environments

Core Technical Skills

• Strong application engineering knowledge of:

• Industrial network topologies and redundancy models
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 Ethernet switching
• VLAN and IP-based segmentation

• Proficiency in:

• TCP/IP and UDP networking principles
• IP and serial communications and interfaces

• Working knowledge of:

• Virtualization and hypervisor technologies (VMware / Hyper-V / Proxmox)
• RF communication fundamentals and propagation
• Firewalls, VPNs, and secure gateways, * Experience in water/wastewater, utilities, energy, or critical infrastructure environments

• Familiarity with industrial networking vendors (e.g., Cisco, Ruggedcom, Hirschmann, Moxa, Fortinet, Stratix, or equivalent)
• Experience with RF propagation modeling tools
• Knowledge of OT cybersecurity standards and regulatory requirements
• Relevant certifications (CCNA/CCNP, Network+, Security+, radio, virtualization, or industrial networking certifications)

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills across wired, wireless, and serial networks.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into secure, reliable network designs and engineering solutions.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on system availability, performance, and cybersecurity.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. Effective communicator with engineering, operations, and field teams.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a multidisciplinary team, and collaboratively with professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other common business and collaboration tools.

Other Requirements

• Valid California Driver's License.