Lead Engineer, OT & Network Infrastructure

Aligned Data Centers, LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Aligned Data Centers, LLC seeks a Lead OT & Network Infrastructure Engineer to act as the central technical authority for the data-center backbone. You will align Site Operations with Platform Delivery and SecOps, driving forensic analyses and binding engineering mandates for resilient telemetry and BMS/EPMS systems.

You will lead architecture reviews, implement changes, and ensure secure, high-availability transport across the fleet, collaborating with crews and senior leadership to mitigate

Qualifications

• 8+ years in advanced network engineering for OT/ICS or hyperscale telemetry.
• Bachelor-level or higher with specialized trainings; CCNP/CCIE/CISSP/GICSP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead forensic investigations and translate findings into corrective actions.
• Review network topology, designs, and change orders for capital projects.
• Audit fleet for VLAN, air-gapping, firmware lifecycle, and backups.
• Evaluate next-gen hardware for AI-enabled telemetry transport.

Skills

OT Networking

ICS/SCADA

High-Availability Networks

Executive Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Network Engineering/CS

Tools

Modbus TCP

BACnet/IP

OPC UA

Job description

Role Summary:

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. Role Summary: Unlike traditional IT roles focused on corporate networks, the Lead Engineer for Operational Technology (OT) & Network Infrastructure serves as the supreme technical authority for the critical network backbone that supports Aligned's Building Management Systems (BMS), Electrical Power Monitoring Systems (EPMS), and enterprise telemetry fleet-wide. Acting as the strategic bridge between Site Operations, Platform Delivery, and Corporate SecOps, this role utilizes advanced network forensics to prevent catastrophic "loss of visibility" events in the data halls. The Lead Engineer translates complex data transport, latency, and switch configuration metrics into binding engineering mandates, ensuring the digital nervous system of the data center is as resilient as the physical infrastructure.

Core Responsibilities:

• Advanced Forensic Investigations (RCA Governance): Lead deep-dive forensic analyses during critical "loss of visibility" or telemetry blackout incidents. Investigate complex network failures such as broadcast storms, routing loops, packet loss, and switch configuration errors, translating findings into immediate, binding corrective actions.
• Engineering Design Mandates & Network Topology: Review network architecture single-line diagrams, hardware specifications, and failover protocols for all new capital projects. Issue Engineering Change Orders to correct architectural vulnerabilities prior to site deployment.
• Proactive Fleet Auditing & Cybersecurity Hygiene: Conduct rigorous, programmatic audits of active OT networks across the fleet. Ensure strict site compliance with VLAN segregation, OT/IT air-gapping, firmware lifecycle management, and disaster recovery backups for critical infrastructure switches and servers.
• Innovation & Next-Gen Validation (AI Integration): Evaluate next-generation network hardware and transport protocols required to support high-density "AI Factories." Partner with the Advanced Cooling Lab to validate the telemetry transport requirements for automated AI cooling controls and high-frequency liquid cooling sensor networks.
• Executive Advisement & Incident Response: Serve as the definitive Tier-3 technical escalation point for severe operational network anomalies. Translate highly technical bandwidth, latency, and cybersecurity risk data into clear, executive-level assessments for senior leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 8+ years of advanced network engineering experience specifically focused on Operational Technology (OT), Industrial Control Systems (ICS), or hyperscale data center telemetry networks.
• Education & Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent highly specialized training. Advanced industry certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, GICSP) are strongly preferred.
• Technical Expertise: Expert-level knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus TCP, BACnet/IP, OPC UA), high-availability switch architecture, firewall configurations, and physical fiber/copper transport layers. Deep understanding of the unique latency and uptime requirements of mechanical and electrical control loops.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to transition localized network faults into fleet-wide engineering policy, combined with the executive acumen to communicate critical telemetry vulnerabilities to C-suite leadership and cross-departmental stakeholders.

When you join Aligned, you’re joining a passionate and positive team where every voice matters.

We are committed to fostering a diverse, gender-equal, and inclusive workforce, extending to our military veterans to whom we owe so much.

If you’re interested in becoming a valued member of an infrastructure technology company driven by innovation, the needs of our customers, social value creation, and responsible stewardship of our planet,