Network Engineer 3/4

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman - Global Secure Solutions isSeeking a skilled Operational Technology (OT) Engineer for our Chandler, AZ site to support the deployment and sustainment of ITOT architecture. The role of an OT Network Engineer troubleshoots problems, identifies solutions, and performs routine administration at both the infrastructure and application levels. This role involves close collaboration with the Chief Information and Digital Transformation (CIDO) and Launch Vehicles Manufacturing teams to integrate high-value production assets using Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA).

Key Responsibilities: The successful candidate will serve as the local point of contact at the Chandler, AZ site, facilitating communication and coordination between the site production areas and the CIDO Service Line teams. This role requires a blend of skills in automation/control engineering, network engineering, and industrial application development, along with proactive and effective communication abilities.

Ideal Candidate Profile: We are looking for a highly motivated, self-driven individual with experience in networking manufacturing machines. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for this role.

Responsibilities:

Support the Chandler, AZ Site:

• Serve as the primary Operational Technology (OT) engineering resource at the Chandler site.
• Collaborate with site production areas to understand operations and identify critical production assets for network connectivity.
• Act as a liaison between the Chandler site and the Chief Information and Digital Transformation (CIDO) teams to facilitate the smooth implementation and sustainment of IIOT solutions.

Collaboration with CIDO Teams:

• Coordinate closely with the CIDO teams, providing site-specific insights and assisting with the development and deployment of Cisco SDA and other IIoT technologies.
• Provide feedback and updates to the CIDO teams regarding site progress, challenges, and needs.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Integration:

• Interface with various ICS at the Chandler site and assist in implementing appropriate connectivity methods (e.g., OPC-UA, Modbus) in alignment with CIDO standards.
• Application Configuration and Support:
• Configure and optimize industrial applications such as Kepware, ThingWorx, Canary, and Intelligence Hub to meet the operational needs of the Chandler site.
• Provide support for these applications, troubleshooting issues and optimizing performance.
• Participate in trade studies and focus groups as required to help guide and inform enterprise capabilities and standards.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of the Chandler site's current configurations and network architecture.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (ISA95, Purdue Model) and CIDO guidelines in all site implementations.
• Implement and communicate project plans for new machine connections to the network.

Position Summary:

Operational Technology (OT) refers to the collection of hardware and software used to control physical devices. OT networks allow companies to control physical devices and monitor equipment at the spindle, machine, shift, or factory level. This real-time capability allows advanced software platforms to analyze data much faster than human operators could, and at a far higher degree of accuracy. These platforms are highly configurable and can work with user-defined configurations and parameters.

Information Technology (IT) refers to an extensive collection of data storage devices like servers and software, network hardware such as cables and switches, and communication devices and protocols. IT networks and IT devices work together to store, control, and deliver information, typically handling data for business applications.

Because OT devices are critical to safety and machine condition, they're very reliable and can operate around the clock for many years without failure or replacement. They may also be ruggedized to withstand heat, moisture, vibration, and other wear and tear that IT devices cannot handle. Also, OT devices/systems aren't updated nearly as often as IT devices/systems, so they are likely to have numerous software vulnerabilities. Accessing them may be difficult because they might be imbedded with the equipment, or they may even be controlled by vendors. In all cases, modifications to OT devices may be subject to a complex approvals process as any change (even a simple software update) can have numerous cascading effects on the industrial process.

The role of the OT Network Engineer troubleshoots problems, identifies solutions, and performs routine administration to ensure reliable network connectivity for critical control processes.

Job Description/Requirements:

• Maintains a strong emphasis on IT/OT improvement projects - customer focused innovations, cost saving improvements, process optimization, and 24/7 operations
• Review current and new OT systems operation, design, and uplift services for interoperability on modernized and dedicated OT networks
• Leads troubleshooting efforts for OT networks in coordination with Enterprise IT, Cybersecurity, Facilities and Process Controls Engineering teams
• Responsible for compliance to corporate IT and Cybersecurity Policies and Standards
• Assists with maintaining system design and asset inventories of the IT/OT environment with IT Asset Management teams and systems of record
• Follows the methodology and process for change control, application support, and escalation
• Provides technical maintenance of the network and supporting systems
• Evaluates, troubleshoots, and maintains network hardware and appliances
• Assists in any OS, database, or application patching and upgrades, as needed
• Responsible for maintaining lifecycle of OT network devices (such as switches,

Support for 24/7 manufacturing operations, outage response, and prioritization

*This role can be filled by a level 3 (mid-career level) or level 4 (Senior level).

Basic Qualifications for level 3:

• Must have at least 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelors Degree OR 3 years of relevant experience with a Masters Degree OR 7 years of relevant experience with an Associate's Degree OR 9 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma/GED.
• Must have experience implementing and supporting the IT/OT infrastructure that supports Process Control Systems. This includes Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), as well as custom control applications used to meet manufacturing needs and production goals
• Minimum of 2 years of industrial experience in IT/OT or 5 years plus of IT experience in enterprise-class environments or equivalent military experience
• 5 years of Cisco router/switch experience and understanding network topologies.
• Fundamental knowledge of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and automation, including various ICS and their connectivity methods (e.g., OPC-UA, Modbus).
• Technical skills in configuring and managing industrial applications.
• Understanding of data collection, monitoring, and analysis tools.
• Effective communication skills to liaise with site production areas and the CIDO Services teams.
• Ability to create and maintain technical documentation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and analytical abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with firewall policy configurations for Cisco and Palo Alto.

Basic Qualifications for level 4:

• Must have at least 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelors Degree OR 6 years of relevant experience with a Masters Degree OR 10 years of relevant experience with an Associate's Degree OR 12 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma/GED.
• Must have experience implementing and supporting the IT/OT infrastructure that supports Process Control Systems. This includes Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), as well as custom control applications used to meet manufacturing needs and production goals
• Minimum of 4 years of industrial experience in IT/OT or 7 years plus of IT experience in enterprise-class environments or equivalent military experience
• 8 years of Cisco router/switch experience and understanding network topologies.
• Fundamental knowledge of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and automation, including various ICS and their connectivity methods (e.g., OPC-UA, Modbus).
• Technical skills in configuring and managing industrial applications.
• Understanding of data collection, monitoring, and analysis tools.
• Effective communication skills to liaise with site production areas and the CIDO Services teams.
• Ability to create and maintain technical documentation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and analytical abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with firewall policy configurations for Cisco and Palo Alto.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with firewall policy configurations for Cisco and Palo Alto
• Familiarity with various server hardware and virtualization vendors such as HP, Dell, Nutanix, etc.
• 4-year Computer Science, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering Degree
• Previous experience with a Cisco Software Defined Networking (SDN) operating environment
• Training course in Managing Industrial Networks (Cisco, Rockwell, college class, etc.)
• Network / Industrial Management Certifications such as
  • CCNA / CCNP (or similar)
  • NET+ (or similar)

Salary Range: $86,600.00 - $130,000.00Salary Range 2: $107,800.00 - $161,800.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.