Operational Technology “OT” Network Support Engineer

The University of Birmingham Estates Office is seeking an Operational Technology (OT) Network Support Engineer to support and advise the BEMS & OT Network Manager in ensuring the day-to-day operation and high availability of the OT Network.

The post holder will work with and support the BEMS Team to drive improvements in connected technology and system integration across campus, improving how the BEMS & OT Team deliver value for the University. They will provide a responsive and efficient service, expert advice and guidance to the wider estates teams and end users around campus, continually developing and improving reactive and planned maintenance approaches to ensure maximum uptime of all OT Network assets.

The University of Birmingham is a global institution working within a diverse and vibrant city. The Estates Office is responsible for master planning and stewardship of an extensive estate covering 672 acres, with over 200 buildings. The estate operates its own energy centre generating 75% of its own power, distributed via an HV private wire network, district heating systems, and an extensive OT network supporting energy metering, lighting, fire, security, radio, access control, 660 outstations and 35,000 i/o of the BEMS.

Main Duties:

- As a subject matter expert, support and advise the BEMS & OT Network Manager with day-to-day operations of reactive and proactive maintenance of the OT Network. Report on BEMS OT Network defects, advise on remedies, implement remedials as necessary, analyse reasons for defect/downtime and recommend additional procedures/practices to limit recurrences and improve network uptime.

- Plan, install, commission, maintain, support and de-commission OT network and security infrastructure where necessary across the university campus. Highlight system improvements, assess proposed changes/improvements to service provision and/or legislative requirements. Support the BEMS & OT Manager to design and develop network architecture aligned with business needs and industry standards, ensuring all works are delivered on time and to a satisfactory level.

- Ensure the Cyber Security of the OT Network by implementing and managing network security measures (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS), performing security audits and vulnerability assessments, and responding to and mitigating network security incidents.

- Collaborate with the university IT Services Team and third-party vendors on all OT Network related projects.

- Ensure positive stakeholder feedback and support on OT Network projects, network performance and documentation. Maintain comprehensive network documentation and diagrams.

- Provide expert guidance and advice within the Estates Office and to end users in relation to OT Network operation, maintenance, and policy development. Advise on risks to business continuity and produce risk assessments.

- Manage contractors and work with Facilities/Technical managers, on-call staff and other stakeholders to review OT Network issues, especially critical loss of network connectivity, ensuring they meet users' needs. Ensure successful delivery of network projects on time and within budget.

- Working with the BEMS & OT Network Manager, provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to the OT & BEMS Teams and wider university (including IT services) as and when necessary.

- Foster a fair and equitable workplace for all staff. Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures.

- Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

- Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification in a relevant IT or OT Networks/technical and/or management role as a technical specialist. A higher degree may also be held. Where no equivalent qualification is held, a proven track record of extensive and substantial work experience in progressively more demanding and relevant roles will be required.

- Relevant professional qualification in the field of networking or substantive evidence of working towards them.

- Proven technical specialist knowledge and understanding in a relevant technical area (specialists will require advanced technical expertise).

- Knowledge of TCP/IP networking and L2/L3 protocols.

- Experience of planning networking equipment installations, upgrades, fault finding and troubleshooting.

- Broad knowledge and substantial functional experience across the range of IT/OT Network design, commissioning, servicing, and management of systems, preferably within a similar large-scale environment.

- Extensive experience with OT systems, cyber security and wide area fibre networks, including service, commissioning, configuration and programming of all system functions.

- A strong background and knowledge of Microsoft Azure and automation tools would be advantageous.

- Evidence of literacy and numeracy.

- Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

- Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies and procedures are applied.

- A clear understanding of university strategy, and how your activity needs to be targeted to support it over the short and long term.

Benefits:

The University offers 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme, three high quality subsidised day nurseries, and access to a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool. The Birmingham Professional programme provides all professional services staff with development opportunities. Flexible working arrangements are supported.

Informal enquiries to Craig Sherrington, email: [email protected]