Plant Computing (MoM) Engineer III

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Plant Computing Engineer is responsible for the operation, support, and optimization of plant computing systems, with a focus on AspenTech solutions, other OT solutions, OT infrastructure, and IT/OT integration. The role ensures the reliability, availability, and cybersecurity of critical operational systems that support production and engineering activities. This position works closely with cross-functional teams including operations, engineering, IT, and vendors to troubleshoot issues, implement enhancements, and contribute to projects that improve plant performance and digitalization. The Plant Computing Engineer plays a key role in maintaining system integrity, ensuring compliance with security standards, and enabling seamless data flow between OT and IT environments.

NATURE & SCOPE:

The Plant Computing Engineer operates within the plant's OT/IT environment, focusing on maintaining and supporting plant computing systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient production operations. The role does not have direct reports but requires close collaboration with operations, process engineering, IT, automation, and vendor teams. Work assignments range from day-to-day troubleshooting and system administration to participation in projects that introduce new technologies or enhance existing systems. The role requires balancing multiple priorities, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity and regulatory requirements, and providing technical expertise to sustain and improve plant computing capabilities.

LIAISE/COOPERATE WITH:

• OT Specialists and Engineers: for daily plant computing operations and troubleshooting.
• Process/Production Engineers: to ensure OT systems support manufacturing needs.
• IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Teams: for system integration, patching, backups, and security.
• Control System / Automation Engineers: for connectivity and data flow between DCS/PLC and plant computing systems.
• Vendors and Service Providers: for support, upgrades, and issue resolution on AspenTech and other OT tools.
• Operations / Plant Management: to align system performance with production goals.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Team: to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements when working on systems.
• Project Teams: to provide technical input on plant computing aspects of capital or improvement projects.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES 

System Management and Support

• Operate, maintain, and provide support for plant computing systems, with a focus on AspenTech, OT solutions such as SIMATIC, PWE uses GE Vernova Advanced Energy Management System (E-Terra Habitat), and other engineering tools.
• Ensure the reliability, availability, and security of OT systems.
• Contribute to the development and execution of maintenance schedules and strategies to minimize downtime.

Project Support

• Participate in projects related to the implementation, upgrade, and optimization of OT systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project activities align with business objectives and manufacturing needs.
• Support project planning by providing technical input, testing, and documentation.

Technical Expertise

• Provide technical support, administration, and troubleshooting for OT systems, particularly AspenTech and other OT solutions such as SIMATIC, PWE uses GE Vernova Advanced Energy Management System (E-Terra Habitat),  solutions.
• Stay updated on AspenTech products, OT tools/systems enhancements, industry trends, and emerging technologies.
• Support the integration and data flow between OT tools/systems and IT platforms.
• Develop and maintain accurate documentation for OT systems, including configurations, procedures, and standards.

Vendor and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work with vendors and service providers to support OT systems.
• Assist in evaluating products and services to ensure they meet operational requirements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand and address needs related to OT systems.

Security and Compliance

• Ensure OT systems follow organizational security policies and regulatory requirements.
• Apply and support cybersecurity measures to protect OT systems from threats.
• Participate in audits and assessments to maintain system integrity and compliance.

Work Environment

• May require occasional evening or weekend work to address urgent issues or perform maintenance activities.
• The role may involve some travel to data centers or other company locations.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION and/or QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in computer science/engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (Master's degree preferred but not required).
• 5+ years of experience in plant computing, OT systems, or industrial IT/automation environments.
• Hands-on experience with AspenTech solutions (Aspen IP.21, Aspen InfoPlus, or related Aspen OT tools).
• Strong knowledge of Operational Technology (OT) systems, process control networks, and engineering software tools.
• Familiarity with IT/OT integration, industrial protocols (Modbus, OPC, MQTT), and data flow between systems.
• Good understanding of cybersecurity principles in OT/ICS environments, with exposure to frameworks such as ISA/IEC 62443.
• Experience with system administration (Windows/Linux servers, virtualization, databases, backup/recovery).
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in industrial/energy sectors.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex OT/IT systems.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional engineering and operations teams.

DESIRED EDUCATION and/or QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Certifications (preferred):
• AspenTech product certifications
• ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity
• Microsoft, VMware, or equivalent infrastructure certifications
• ITIL Foundation

MINIMUM YEARS EXPERIENCE IN SIMILAR JOB ROLE

5+ years of experience in plant computing, OT systems, or industrial IT/automation environments.

RELATED ASSIGNMENTS

• Support periodic system audits, compliance reviews, and disaster recovery drills.
• Assist in training plant staff on the use of OT/IT systems and tools.
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving IT, OT, and process engineering teams.
• Contribute to proof-of-concept evaluations for new OT/plant computing technologies.
• Provide on-call support for critical OT/plant computing issues when required.
• Support knowledge-sharing sessions within the OT/IT team.

SKILLS / TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AREAS:

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with infrastructure technologies such as servers, networking, virtualization, and storage.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and hybrid environments.
• Strong understanding of IT/OT infrastructure, process control systems, and information security principles.
• Working knowledge of AspenTech solutions (e.g., Aspen IP.21, Aspen InfoPlus, or related OT tools).
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., OPC, MQTT, Modbus).
• Knowledge of ITIL or similar frameworks for IT/OT service and incident management.
• Solid understanding of system administration (Windows/Linux, databases, backups, monitoring).
• Good knowledge of IT/OT cybersecurity, industry standards (e.g., ISA/IEC 62443), and regulatory requirements.
• Awareness of business continuity and disaster recovery practices.

Soft Skills

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities in OT/IT environments.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams, operators, and engineers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Strong analytical and detail-oriented approach to system issues and configurations.
• Good documentation and reporting skills (procedures, configurations, incident logs).
• Strong command of oral and written English; ability to prepare technical reports and system documentation.
• Ability to deliver clear technical presentations to peers, stakeholders, and management.
• Proactive, adaptable, and capable of continuous learning in evolving OT/IT technologies.