Jr OT Cybersecurity Engineer

Jacobs; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Jacobs is hiring a Junior OT/ICS Cybersecurity Engineer to help protect critical infrastructure across industrial environments. You will work with senior engineers to assess, design, and maintain secure OT networks while applying standards such as NIST, NERC CIP, and IEC 62443.

Ideal candidates have 0–3 years in cybersecurity or IT networking, basic TCP/IP knowledge, and an eagerness to learn about OT/ICS and SCADA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in cybersecurity, IT, engineering or related technical field.
• 0–3 years of cybersecurity/IT networking experience or internships considered.
• Foundational understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls).
• Basic cybersecurity principles, vulnerabilities, risk management, and security best practices.
• Familiarity with Windows and/or Linux operating systems.
• Interest in OT/ICS and SCADA environments.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate with technical teams and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Support senior engineers in evaluating, testing, and securing OT/ICS/SCADA environments.
• Assist with cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability identification, risk analysis, and reporting.
• Assist with design/implementation of secure OT networks per industry standards.
• Assist with configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting network and security tech (firewalls, switches, servers, VMs).
• Participate in OT network monitoring, security reviews, and risk assessments.
• Develop technical documentation, assessment reports, and recommended security improvements.
• Collaborate with SCADA, instrumentation, controls, and engineering teams for secure integration.
• Assist with incident investigations, data collection, and preliminary analysis.
• Support implementation/maintenance of cybersecurity tools and technologies.

Skills

Networking concepts

Cybersecurity fundamentals

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Willingness to learn

Windows/Linux familiarity

OT/ICS interest

Education

Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or related

Tools

Windows

Linux

Firewalls

Virtualization

Active Directory

DNS

PLC/HMI

SCADA systems

Modbus

DNP3

IEC 61850

NIST/IEC 62443 familiarity

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Are you an early‑career cybersecurity professional interested in protecting the critical infrastructure that keeps our world running? Are you passionate about technology, industrial systems, and cybersecurity? At Jacobs, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your technical expertise while working alongside experienced professionals to secure Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) across a variety of industries.

As a Junior OT/ICS Cybersecurity Engineer, you’ll support the assessment, design, implementation, and maintenance of cybersecurity solutions for industrial environments. Working with experienced cybersecurity engineers, you’ll help identify vulnerabilities, evaluate security risks, and implement solutions that protect critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.

You’ll gain exposure to industry cybersecurity standards such as NIST, NERC CIP, and IEC 62443 while collaborating with engineering, SCADA, instrumentation, and controls teams. This role offers opportunities to develop hands‑on experience with industrial networks, security technologies, and cybersecurity assessments across Jacobs’ infrastructure projects.

At Jacobs, we’re building a more connected and sustainable world. Join our team and develop your career while helping secure the systems that support essential infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior cybersecurity engineers in evaluating, testing, and securing OT/ICS and SCADA environments.
• Assist with cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability identification, risk analysis, and documentation of findings.
• Support the design and implementation of secure OT networks in accordance with industry cybersecurity standards and best practices.
• Assist with the configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of network and security technologies, including firewalls, switches, servers, and virtual machines.
• Participate in OT network monitoring, security reviews, and cybersecurity risk assessments.
• Help develop technical documentation, assessment reports, and recommended security improvements.
• Collaborate with SCADA, instrumentation, controls, and engineering teams to support secure integration of industrial systems.
• Assist with cybersecurity incident investigations, including data collection and preliminary analysis.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity tools and technologies used to protect industrial environments.
• Participate in project site visits to assess and support IC S networks and security infrastructure.
• Learn and apply cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and methodologies relevant to industrial

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 0–3 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT networking, systems administration, industrial automation, or a related technical field. Relevant internships, academic projects, and technical training will be considered.
• Foundational understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls, and network security.
• Basic understanding of cybersecurity principles, vulnerabilities, risk management, and security best practices.
• Familiarity with Windows and/or Linux operating systems.
• Interest in developing expertise in Operational Technology, Industrial Control Systems, and SCADA environments.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical teams and communicate findings effectively.
• Willingness to learn new technologies, security frameworks, and industrial control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, academic, or professional experience involving OT/ICS, SCADA, industrial automation, or critical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, or IEC 61850.
• Basic knowledge of NIST cybersecurity guidelines, IEC 62443, or NERC CIP.
• Familiarity with the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture or Zero Trust principles.
• Exposure to network monitoring, vulnerability assessment, or cybersecurity tools.
• Experience or coursework involving firewalls, virtualization, Active Directory, or DNS.
• Familiarity with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), or industrial networking equipment.
• Knowledge of the MITRE ATT&CK framework or ATT&CK for ICS.
• Foundational cybersecurity or networking certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Network+, Cisco CCNA, or equivalent.
• Interest in industrial cybersecurity, IoT, and emerging security technologies.

Benefits

• Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $80,000.00 to $95,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on November 03, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.