ICS/OT Cybersecurity & OS Specialist

Beckhoff Automation LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Beckhoff Automation is seeking an ICS/OT Cybersecurity & OS Specialist to serve as the local expert on industrial control systems and OT cybersecurity in the US. The role combines pre-sales and post-sales support, engaging with OEMs, integrators, and end users to align security messaging with IEC 62443, NIST, and North American requirements.

The position requires 5+ years in ICS/OT security, strong OS hardening skills across Linux/Windows/FreeBSD, and the ability to educate internal teams and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of cybersecurity experience specifically in industrial control systems (ICS) / operational technology (OT) environments, including exposure to PLCs.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, such as encryption and certificate handling, and ability to teach others about how certificates work in Beckhoff products.
• Baseline OS hardening and firewall configuration knowledge across supported OSes (Linux, Windows, FreeBSD).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the local expert supporting sales and application engineers in customer-facing conversations requiring security depth and standards knowledge.
• Explain Beckhoff's vulnerability handling and incident response procedures to prospects in pre-sales settings.
• Develop and maintain internal training materials and documentation for cybersecurity messaging and guidance.
• Coordinate with global HQ cybersecurity team to ensure consistent security messaging.
• Travel to customer sites up to 20–25% for pre-sales, post-sales support, and relationship management.

Skills

ICS/OT cybersecurity

Certificate handling

OS hardening

Industrial control systems

Tools

Linux

Windows

FreeBSD

Job description

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ICS/OT Cybersecurity & OS Specialist

Full Time US

16 days ago Requisition ID: 1025

Salary Range: $140,000.00 To $185,000.00 Annually

Beckhoff Automation is seeking a knowledgeable and driven ICS/OT Cybersecurity & OS Specialist to serve as the local expert on industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. As cybersecurity becomes an increasingly critical topic alongside traditional PLC and fieldbus conversations, this role positions Beckhoff USA to engage credibly with top IT and OT security personnel at OEM, integrator, and large end-user accounts.

In this role, you will serve as both a pre-sales and post-sales resource - advising customers and colleagues on cybersecurity standards, operating system security, and (secondary) container technology. Working closely with sales, application engineers, and the global cybersecurity team in Germany, you will help ensure Beckhoff's security posture, messaging, standards compliance, and technical guidance remain current, credible, and consistent across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the local expert supporting sales and application engineers (AEs) in customer-facing conversations that require security depth, including discussions of relevant standards (IEC 62443, EU CRA, NIST, and related North American requirements) and Beckhoff's company-wide security messaging.
• Support completion of customer security assessment questionnaires and RFP/RFI security sections during the sales process.
• Explain Beckhoff's vulnerability handling and security incident response procedures to prospective customers as part of pre-sales conversations.
• Teach technical colleagues relevant security technologies such as security certificates, how they're used in Beckhoff products, and what guidance to pass along to customers.
• Build and maintain internal training materials, presentations, and documentation to support ongoing sales/AE enablement, in coordination with the cybersecurity team at Beckhoff global HQ in Germany.
• Serve as a point of contact when customers have topics to discuss or security-related concerns, coordinating appropriate follow-up and response.
• Act as the local, credible technical resource for engaging directly with customer IT and OT security personnel at OEM and integrator customers as well as large end-user accounts.
• Provide ongoing advisory support to customers on securing and maintaining Beckhoff-based industrial systems.

Operating Systems

• Understand and give technical guidance across Beckhoff's supported operating systems (Linux, Windows, and TwinCAT/BSD).
• Understand and support customers and colleagues with documented OS security best practices, including baseline hardening steps such as changing default passwords and configuring firewalls across each supported OS. Work with the global cybersecurity team on recommendations for improving and maintaining those documents/guidance.
• Serve as the go-to USA resource for OS-level questions, working with global OS product managers.

Standards, Compliance & Industry Monitoring

• Maintain current, working knowledge of IEC 62443, the EU Cyber Resilience Act, NIST guidance, and emerging North American federal/state cybersecurity requirements (executive orders, DHS/CISA directives, and similar).
• Monitor and interpret new and emerging regulatory/standards developments, communicating relevant changes to internal stakeholders and customers as needed.
• Represent Beckhoff USA's cybersecurity posture and expertise to customers, US industry groups and organization, and internal teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with global/HQ (Germany) cybersecurity and product teams to align messaging, documentation, and technical guidance.
• Travel to customer sites as needed to support pre-sales engagement, post-sales support, and relationship management (up to approximately 20-25%, varying month to month).

Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The company reserves the right to modify duties or assign additional responsibilities as necessary to meet business needs. Other duties as assigned.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Beckhoff is one destination for OT/ICS security expertise: You will be the local, go-to authority on IC…
• Cross-Functional Impact: Partner with sales, application engineers, and Beckhoff HQ in Germany to shape cybersecurity strategy, training, and customer-facing messaging across the organization.
• Emerging Field, Growing Influence: Work at the intersection of a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape (IEC 62443, EU CRA, NIST, and emerging U.S. federal/state requirements) and real-world industrial deployments.

What We're Looking For – Required Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of cybersecurity experience specifically in industrial control systems (ICS) / operational technology (OT) environments, including exposure to PLCs.
• This is not a standard IT/enterprise cybersecurity background; candidates with less experience but strong OT/ICS fundamentals and trajectory will also be considered.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity fundamental concepts, such as encryption and certificate handling, including the ability to teach others (e.g., sales and application engineers) how certificates work and how to apply them in Beckhoff products.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of operating systems (Linux, Windows, optionally FreeBSD) — installation, imaging, baseline configuration, and hardening/security best practices (e.g., default password changes, firewall configuration), sufficient to guide imaging processes, advise customers, and support