Lead Architect, Cyber OT

Heathrow Airport; Hatton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent international airport in the UK is seeking a Lead Architect Cyber for Operational Technology. This role is key in securing and embedding design principles in OT systems, collaborating with engineering and operational teams. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years in cyber security focused on OT environments, with experience in securing industrial systems. Competitive salary and excellent benefits are offered, making it a rewarding career opportunity.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Market-leading pensions

Private health insurance

Generous annual leave

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience securing Operational Technology environments.
• Familiarity with NIS/NIS2 Directive and ISA/IEC 62443 standards.
• Strong understanding of OT-specific security challenges.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Engineering and OT teams to embed security in systems.
• Conduct security reviews of OT architectures.
• Oversee secure configuration baselines for OT.
• Develop and maintain cyber security policies for OT.

Skills

Securing OT/ICS/SCADA systems

Understanding of OT protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC, Profinet)

Ability to influence secure practices

Knowledge of secure system design principles

Risk assessment and threat modeling

Education

Minimum 3 years in cyber security or engineering role

Job description

The Lead Architect Cyber - Operational Technology - OT will play a pivotal role in ensuring the secure design, configuration, and operation of the organisation's Operational Technology (OT) environment. Working as part of the Cyber Security Team, this individual will collaborate closely with Engineering and Operations teams to embed secure-by-design principles into all aspects of OT architecture and implementation, safeguarding industrial systems against evolving cyber threats. The role requires deep technical knowledge of OT cyber security practices and the ability to influence secure practices across complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Engineering and OT teams to ensure secure-by-design principles are embedded into all OT systems, including ICS/SCADA, PLCs, DCS, and associated networks.
• Conduct security reviews of OT system architectures and configurations, ensuring alignment with industry standards and internal security policies.
• Provide expert cyber security guidance across OT projects, upgrades, and lifecycle management activities.
• Validate and oversee secure configuration baselines for OT hardware and software.
• Develop, implement, and maintain OT-specific cyber security policies, procedures, and technical controls.
• Support risk assessments and threat modelling activities for the OT estate.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years in a cyber security or engineering role with a focus on OT environments.
• Hands‑on experience with securing OT/ICS/SCADA systems and understanding of OT protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, OPC, Profinet).
• Demonstrated involvement in securing critical infrastructure or industrial systems.
• Familiarity with NIS/NIS2 Directive, ISA/IEC 62443, NIST CSF or similar regulatory frameworks.
• Strong understanding of OT‑specific security challenges, including system segregation, network zoning, and legacy system risks.
• Knowledge of secure system design principles applied within industrial control environments.
• Ability to interpret and apply cyber security standards in real‑world OT scenarios.

About Heathrow

There's something so special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you'll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and come home buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore. It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there's no place like Heathrow.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance‑based annual bonuses and our longer‑term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market‑leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we'll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we'll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you'll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

This is an airport‑based position. Every day, you will play a critical role in helping us to give our passengers the best airport service in the world. Sustainable Travel to work Heathrow's sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work, and through our diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.

About the Team

About the Team: Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this - providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large‑scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions. Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It's a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you'll both take pride in and feel passionate about.