Operational Technology (OT) Engineer

Imperial Brands; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial Brands in Antwerpen is seeking an Operational Technology Engineer to safeguard production continuity and drive improvements across OT hardware, software, and networks. You will own production-critical OT systems, coordinate incident resolution, and ensure cybersecurity compliance while collaborating with engineering, maintenance, and digital teams.

The role focuses on lifecycle management, upgrades, patches, and changes with external partners.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Automation or related engineering field.
• Experience supporting production-critical OT systems in an industrial environment.
• Strong PLC/SCADA/MES and networking knowledge.
• Understanding OT cybersecurity and change control.
• Excellent problem-solving and stakeholder-management skills.
• Fluent in the local language and English; willingness to provide after-hours support.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and coordination for production-critical OT systems, ensuring operational continuity and rapid incident resolution.
• Manage the lifecycle of OT hardware and software, including upgrades, maintenance, patching, backups, and obsolescence planning.
• Maintain and support manufacturing technologies such as MES, SCADA, PLC-connected equipment, industrial networks, and related systems.
• Implement and maintain OT cybersecurity controls, supporting risk assessments, vulnerability management, and compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying automation and digitalisation opportunities that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Support OT projects from design and procurement through commissioning and handover, while coordinating suppliers and technical partners.

Skills

Automation

Electrical engineering

Control systems

Mechatronics

IT/OT integration

Troubleshooting

Stakeholder management

English fluency

After-hours support

Education

Degree in Automation

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

PLC

SCADA

MES

Industrial networking

Job description

The Role

As an Operational Technology (OT) Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliable, secure, and compliant operation of the technologies that power our manufacturing and supply chain operations. Acting as the bridge between production, engineering, maintenance, and digital technology teams, you will help protect production continuity, operational safety, and manufacturing performance across the site.

In this hands-on role, you'll take ownership of production-critical OT systems, driving incident resolution, system improvements, cybersecurity compliance, and technology lifecycle management. You will work closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver safe and controlled technology changes, while identifying opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, automation, and data-driven decision making across the manufacturing environment.

This role offers the right candidate the opportunity to grow their career, make a meaningful impact, and be part of an inclusive, innovative, global FMCG organization supported by 25,000 employees worldwide.

Principle Accountabilities

• Provide technical support and coordination for production-critical OT systems, ensuring operational continuity and rapid incident resolution.


• Manage the lifecycle of OT hardware and software, including upgrades, maintenance, patching, backups, and obsolescence planning.


• Maintain and support manufacturing technologies such as MES, SCADA, PLC-connected equipment, industrial networks, and related systems.


• Implement and maintain OT cybersecurity controls, supporting risk assessments, vulnerability management, and compliance requirements.


• Drive continuous improvement by identifying automation and digitalisation opportunities that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.


• Support OT projects from design and procurement through commissioning and handover, while coordinating suppliers and technical partners.

Skills and Experience Required

• Degree, technical qualification, or equivalent experience in Automation, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control Systems, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.


• Experience supporting production-critical automation, manufacturing, or operational technology systems within an industrial environment.


• Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, MES, industrial networking, IT/OT integration, and troubleshooting across hardware, software, and networks.


• Understanding of OT cybersecurity principles, risk management, technical change control, and supplier management.


• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams.


• Fluent in the local working language with the ability to communicate effectively in English; willingness to provide out-of-hours support when required.

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at [e-mail] to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all. Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we're fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.