Junior OT/ICS Lab Engineer New Hanover, MD

Linuxconfig; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Equity Package

Job summary

Dragos is seeking a Junior OT/ICS Lab Engineer to design, build, test, and validate OT lab environments. You will work with senior engineers to create realistic lab systems, validate platform performance, and support threat research activities in a remote-first, North America–global team.

You will gain hands-on experience with OT protocols, PLCs, HMIs, and networked devices while improving lab reliability and documentation.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in networking (OSI model, TCP/IP, routing, firewalls).
• Experience building or working with lab/test environments; virtualization and containerization.
• Basic IT infrastructure and security concepts; comfortable with Linux/Windows CLI; scripting a plus.
• Willingness to learn OT-specific protocols; basic fabrication and panel building capabilities not required.

Responsibilities

• Build, configure, and maintain OT lab environments that simulate real OT scenarios.
• Set up and manage industrial devices (PLCs, RTUs, HMIs) and networked equipment; deploy sensors and monitoring.
• Test Dragos platform capabilities against simulated OT threats; collect telemetry and issue reproducibility.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Lab infrastructure

Virtualization/Containerization

Scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell)

Documentation & troubleshooting

OT protocols fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

VMware/Hyper-V/KVM

Wireshark

PLC/SCADA/HMI tooling

Job description

At Dragos, the mission is personal. The systems we protect deliver the water you drink, power your home, and keep the hospitals your community depends on running. Those critical infrastructure systems that power our civilization around the world are under attack every day by adversaries. When those systems fail, people are immediately at risk. We are the global leader in xOT cybersecurity, combining technology, threat intelligence, and expert services. The people here chose this work because they understand what is at stake . Here, you will find a remote-first mission-driven team across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and APAC built on authenticity, transparency, and trust. If safeguarding the systems that protect your family, friends, and community is the kind of work that matters to you, you are in the right place.

About the Role

The Junior OT/ICS Lab Engineer is a hands-on technical role supporting the design, build, testing, and validation of operational technology environments. You will work alongside senior engineers to create realistic OT lab systems, test Dragos detection and response capabilities,validateplatform performance, and support threat research activities.This role combines hands-on engineering work with exposure to real-world OT protocols, devices, and operational scenarios.

What We're Looking for

You will need to be curious and hands-on. You understand networking fundamentals and are comfortable learning OT-specific concepts on the job. You're detail-oriented, methodical when troubleshooting, and not afraid to dig into technical documentation or ask for help when stuck. You work well in a collaborative environment, support other teams, and take ownership of lab infrastructure reliability. You're motivated by the mission—protecting critical infrastructure that civilization depends on—and you see this role as a springboard to deeper OT security expertise .

Responsibilities

• Lab Infrastructure & Operations
  • Build, configure, and maintain lab environments that simulate real OT operational scenarios
  • Set up and manage industrial control systems (PLCs, RTUs, HMIs) and networked industrial devices
  • Deploy sensors, data collection tools, and monitoring infrastructure to capture OT network traffic and telemetry
  • Document lab configurations, system topologies, and operational procedures for team reference
• Testing & Validation
  • Execute test plans to validate Dragos platform capabilities against simulated OT threats and normal operational activity
  • Collect network traffic, device behavior, and telemetry data from lab systems to support research and product development
  • Assist in reproducing reported issues or edge cases in a controlled lab environment
  • Participate in threat scenario development and validation exercises
• Support & Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshoot lab infrastructure issues, network connectivity problems, and device configuration challenges
  • Support internal and external teams requiring access to OT lab resources for research, testing, or validation
  • Contribute to lab documentation, runbooks, and training materials for team onboarding

Qualifications

• Required
  • Strong foundation in networking: OSI model, TCP/IP, subnetting, routing, firewalls, and network protocols
  • Hands-on experience building or working with lab/test environments; familiarity with virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM) or containerization
  • Basic understanding of IT infrastructure and security concepts
  • Comfortability working at the command line (Linux/Windows); scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell) a plus
  • Ability to follow technical documentation, troubleshoot systematically, and ask clarifying questions
  • Willingness to learn OT-specific protocols and operational technology fundamentals
  • Ability to perform basic fabrication and panel building, including mounting/installing panels to engineering drawings and wiring devices and components. Welding, instrument fitting, and conduit work are not required for this role
• Preferred
  • Familiarity with industrial protocols (Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profibus, DNP3) or SCADA/HMI systems
  • Experience with network packet analysis tools (Wireshark, tcpdump ) or protocol decoding
  • Practical experience with PLCs, industrial IoT devices, or control system engineering
  • Experience with electrical troubleshooting (e.g., diagnosing circuits, relays, control wiring) is a plus
  • Security certifications (Security+, CEH, GCIA) or cybersecurity coursework
  • Experience in critical infrastructure or manufacturing environments
  • Familiarity with ICs security frameworks (NIST, NERC CIP, IEC 62443)
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science , Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical Engineering field (or equivalent practical experience)

Compensation

• Competitive Equity Package

Dragos is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other basis forbidden under federal, state, or local laws. All new hires must pass a background check as a condition of employment.