Manager, Automation & Operations Technology

UNAVAILABLE; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Automation & Operations Technology Engineer to enhance cybersecurity and automation systems across its Dallas and Fort Worth plants. This role involves using advanced cybersecurity tools to ensure the integrity and performance of industrial systems while managing automation projects. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in cybersecurity program management and industrial networking, with a strong grasp of PLC programming and electrical systems. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to sustainability and innovation in the food and beverage sector, where your contributions will make a significant impact on operational excellence and security.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in automation and operations technology.
• Knowledge in OT Cybersecurity and industrial networking protocols.
• Experience with PLC programming and SCADA systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage cybersecurity strategy and improvement for OT systems.
• Conduct health checks and report on Cybersecurity KPIs.
• Collaborate with teams on automation improvement projects.

Skills

OT Cybersecurity program management

Industrial networking and communication protocols

PLC programming

Basic Electrical knowledge

AutoCAD

Microsoft Visio

SCADA systems familiarity

SQL programming

Microsoft Office suite

Conflict resolution skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

10 years of experience in food manufacturing

Tools

Claroty

Hackuity

Factory Talk Security

HiVision

Solar Winds

Job description

Short Intro and About the Job

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Automation & Operations Technology Engineer based in Dallas, TX!

The Automation & Operations Technology Manager will be the single point of contact for Operational Technology Cybersecurity strategy, improvement, maintenance and will also act as a liaison between plant operations and regional and global IT and Cybersecurity team. The Automation & Operations Technology Engineer position will be responsible for Danone plants in Dallas, TX and Fort Worth, TX.

Primary responsibility of the Automation & Operations Technology Engineer will be to use cybersecurity tools (Claroty, Hackuity, Firewalls, Factory Talk Security) for threat mitigation, vulnerability management, alert monitoring, preventing unauthorized access and remote access management and maximize the availability of industrial automation systems (Hardware, Network, Scada Software, Database, Integration of new components and solutions).

The Automation & Operations Technology Manager will also collaborate with operations and engineering teams on corporate and plant initiatives ensuring all cybersecurity policies are followed. The Automation Operations Technology Manager will also be responsible for managing automation improvement projects and participating in recovery efforts during equipment and plant outages or planned shutdowns.

Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs, have stamina and endurance (e.g., standing, sitting, walking, etc.) to occasionally work long hours, willingness to travel stateside & abroad, and the availability to be on-call & work flexible hours (e.g., weekends, off shifts, holidays during special projects implementation).

Job Responsibilities:

• Enforce Danone Global OT cybersecurity policies and standards.
• Daily health check on all OT systems.
• Continuous improvement of Cybersecurity KPI (Vulnerability, Cybersecurity alerts, Backup systems management, PLC Security).
• Formal monthly reporting of Cybersecurity KPI’s to plant directors, automation director and regional security officer.
• Report high priority incidents related to cybersecurity to automation director and regional cyber security manager and plant leadership team.
• Industrial legacy system migration related obsolete operating system, database and automation software.
• Industrial Automation Asset Management and data contextualization using Claroty xDome.
• Management of vendor remote access to OT systems.
• Management of vendor onsite wireless access to OT systems.
• Participate in Cybersecurity audits and maintain audit reports.
• Continuous improvement of industrial automation systems.
• Maintain and update industrial automation architecture drawings and network monitoring software (HiVision, Solar Winds).
• Industrial automation hardware life cycle management (obsolescence).
• Organize windows patch install in industrial automation servers and workstations with the Americas server infrastructure team.
• Master plan development for industrial networking and industrial applications roadmap.
• Share knowledge and learnings through Danone North America networking.
• Enforce Danone North America automation standards and specifications as part of plant initiatives and projects.
• Facilitate meetings with the regional IT teams regarding continuous improvement of system performance, reliability, and obsolescence.
• This role is on site in Dallas, TX, support for Fort Worth plant will require monthly visits (estimated travel ~30% - 40%), to be managed by the candidate based on business needs.
• Travel required occasionally for training or plant projects.

About You

Job Qualifications

• Experience and working knowledge in:
  • OT Cybersecurity program management.
  • Industrial networking and communication protocols (OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, IO Link, AS-i).
  • Rockwell/Siemens/Schneider PLC programming.
  • Basic Electrical knowledge and comfort working with 24VDC, 120VAC and 480VAC control systems and their associated components.
  • Auto Cad and Microsoft Visio.
  • Familiarity with the following SCADA or HMI systems is a plus:
    • Ignition.
    • Wonderware.
    • Factory Talk View SE/ME.
  • Familiarity with programming languages and SQL programming is a plus.
  • Microsoft Office suite and Microsoft server environments.
• Must be self-directed and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must be organized and self-disciplined to accommodate the management of concurrent projects.
• Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in IT and OT network segregation using Purdue model.
• Fast learner, open to learn new things (attending training & certification related to the role as needed) and adapts to change.
• ISA/IES 62443 or any other Cybersecurity Certification is a plus.

Experience Requirement

• 5+ years of job experience in automation and operations technology.

Educational Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing related to automation and operations technologies OR minimum of 10 years of experience in food manufacturing related to information systems and automation technologies in lieu of degree.

About Us, We offer and What's next

At Danone North America, you’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, Two Good, Oikos, evian, and Happy Family. You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America doesn’t just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect.