Industrial Automation Specialist (Manufacturing OT)

Slate Auto LLC; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate Auto LLC is seeking an experienced OT/IT integrator to install, maintain, and secure plant floor automation systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, MES, and ERP. You will design secure data paths between IT and OT, work with engineering and IT teams on digital transformation, and ensure robust network segmentation per ISA-95/Uni.

Responsibilities also include incident response planning and on-call support.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a Master’s degree, or 3 years with a PhD or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on OT/ICS experience in a manufacturing environment; automotive industry experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with PLC platforms (Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Fanuc).

Responsibilities

• Systems management: install, configure, and maintain OT systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, DCS, MES, ERP, and industrial networking infrastructure.
• Monitor health and performance of plant floor automation systems to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, firmware updates, and patch management on OT assets following change control procedures.
• Maintain accurate asset inventories, network diagrams, and system documentation.
• IT/OT integration: design and implement secure data pathways between IT ERP/MES and OT environments.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and IT teams to support digital transformation (IIoT, Industry 4.0, real-time production analytics).
• Define and enforce network segmentation strategies (Purdue Model / ISA-95) to protect industrial assets.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: implement and maintain OT cybersecurity frameworks aligned with NIST CSF, IEC 62443, and NERC CIP.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and risk analyses on OT systems and connected devices.
• Respond to OT security incidents; develop and test incident response plans.
• Ensure compliance with internal IT/OT security policies and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshooting & Support: escalation point for Tier 2/3 OT issues across production shifts.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and communication failures in industrial control systems.
• Provide on‑call support for critical system outages impacting production.
• Projects & Continuous Improvement: lead or support capital projects; evaluate OT tech upgrades; deliver training to maintenance technicians.

Skills

Allen-Bradley

Fanuc

SCADA/HMI

EtherNet/IP

PROFINET

Modbus

OPC-UA

NIST 62443

Incident response

Cybersecurity

Cisco gear

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD or equivalent

Tools

FactoryTalk

Wonderware

Ignition

Apriso

SAP ME

Plex

Job description

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Responsibilities

• Systems Management & Maintenance
  • Install, configure, and maintain OT systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, DCS, MES, ERP, and industrial networking infrastructure.
  • Monitor the health and performance of plant floor automation systems to minimize unplanned downtime.
  • Perform routine preventive maintenance, firmware updates, and patch management on OT assets following change control procedures.
  • Maintain accurate asset inventories, network diagrams, and system documentation.
• IT/OT Integration
  • Design and implement secure data pathways between IT enterprise systems (ERP, MES) and OT environments.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and IT teams to support digital transformation initiatives such as IIoT, Industry 4.0, and real-time production analytics.
  • Define and enforce network segmentation strategies (e.g., Purdue Model / ISA-95) to protect industrial assets.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance
  • Implement and maintain OT cybersecurity frameworks aligned with NIST CSF, IEC 62443, and NERC CIP standards as applicable.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessments and risk analyses on OT systems and connected devices.
  • Respond to and investigate OT security incidents; develop and test incident response plans.
  • Ensure compliance with internal IT/OT security policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshooting & Support
  • Serve as escalation point for Tier 2/3 OT-related issues across production shifts.
  • Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and communication failures in industrial control systems.
  • Provide on‑call support for critical system outages impacting production.
• Projects & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead or support capital projects involving new equipment installation, line retooling, or facility expansions.
  • Evaluate and recommend OT technology upgrades to improve reliability, efficiency, and security.
  • Develop and deliver training to maintenance technicians and plant floor personnel on OT systems usage and best practices.

Qualifications

• Experience
  • 8+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a Master’s degree, or 3 years with a PhD or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 3–5 years of hands‑on OT/ICS experience in a manufacturing environment; automotive industry experience strongly preferred.
• Technical Skills
  • Proficiency with PLC platforms (Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Fanuc).
  • Experience with SCADA and HMI software (FactoryTalk, Wonderware, Ignition).
  • Solid understanding of industrial networking protocols: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, OPC‑UA.
  • Working knowledge of industrial network architecture and managed switches (Cisco IE, Stratix, Ubiquiti).
  • Familiarity with OT cybersecurity principles and tools.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with robotic systems (Fanuc, Kawasaki).
  • Familiarity with automotive production systems (production control, body shop, coatings, general assembly).
  • Knowledge of MES platforms (Apriso, SAP ME, Plex, Ignition).
  • Relevant certifications: GICSP, CompTIA Security+, CCNA Industrial, ISA/IEC 62443.
  • Experience supporting lean manufacturing or Six Sigma environments.
• Competencies
  • Problem‑solving: Diagnose complex, cross‑domain issues under time pressure in a live production environment.
  • Communication: Effectively convey technical concepts to plant floor technicians and senior OT/operations leadership.
  • Collaboration: Work cross‑functionally with engineering, maintenance, IT, and operations teams.
  • Adaptability: Operate in a fast‑paced, shift‑driven manufacturing environment with changing priorities.
  • Attention to Detail: Maintain rigorous documentation and follow change management procedures.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Work in a manufacturing plant environment, including exposure to noise, heat, and industrial equipment.
• Walk plant floors, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces as needed.
• Availability for on‑call rotation and occasional off‑shift or weekend work during planned maintenance windows or unplanned outages.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required in production areas.

Salary Range

The compensation for this position is a range that Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay, taking into account job‑related knowledge, skill set, experience, education, certifications, work location, and other relevant business factors. Base Pay Range (Annual): [Insert range]

EEO Statement

Slate is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure, and life experiences, or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.