OT Emerging Technologies & SCADA Digital Innovation-Discipline Leader

CDM Smith; Macon (GA); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is looking for a Discipline Leader for OT Emerging Technologies & SCADA Digital Innovation. This role focuses on integrating emerging water technologies and innovation within SCADA/OT environments. As a leader, you will drive strategy, mentor teams, and collaborate across disciplines to enhance water infrastructure via AI and analytics. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in OT systems design and SCADA integration.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.
• Demonstrated expertise in OT systems design and SCADA integration.

Responsibilities

• Deliver modern HMI and SCADA systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide technical leadership for automation engineering consulting.

Skills

OT systems design

SCADA integration

AI/ML platforms

Automation tools

Strategic thinking

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering

PE license

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

Azure

AWS

GE iFIX

Ignition

OSIsoft PI

Job description

Overview

OT Emerging Technologies & SCADA Digital Innovation - Discipline Leader seeks an innovative, highly collaborative leader focusing on emerging water technologies and innovation within the SCADA/OT environment. This technical engineering leadership role blends operational technology with analytics to enhance performance, reliability, and sustainability of water infrastructure design. The leader will partner with Trinnex to develop smart water solutions incorporating AI, machine learning, digital twins, advanced sensing, edge computing, and autonomous control into OT/SCADA environments.

Responsibilities

• Deliver modern HMI and SCADA systems using platforms such as GE iFIX, Ignition, AVEVA/Wonderware, and OSIsoft PI, enhanced with digital overlays and contextual data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across automation engineering, IT, and data science to deliver holistic, high-value digital solutions to clients.
• Integrate industrial control systems with client enterprise environments, preparing utilities for smart grid, net-zero, and One Water futures.
• Leverage historian and real-time SCADA data to support advanced analytics, decision support, and operational insights.
• Advance cybersecure OT network designs, integrating modern ICS standards and real-time risk mitigation.
• Maintain direct involvement in project execution to reinforce hands-on innovation and technical excellence.
• Provide technical leadership for TSU staff delivering automation engineering consulting; partner with Trinnex for OT design and deployment of AI/ML models for process optimization, energy management, predictive maintenance, and operational forecasting in water and wastewater systems.
• Lead integrated efforts combining technical engineering and Trinnex digital expertise to apply AI/ML in OT networks for predictive operations, anomaly detection, dynamic optimization, and autonomous system control across treatment and distribution systems.
• Lead digital twin implementations, IoT sensor frameworks, and decision intelligence platforms to improve situational awareness and operational forecasting.
• Provide OT system design leadership, partnering with Trinnex to design industrial network architecture, system integration, and ICS cybersecurity best practices.

Discipline Leadership

• Collaborate with Trinnex and CDM Smith’s digital teams to drive AI, ML, and digital technologies across OT and automation modernization initiatives.
• Shape and execute business strategies to achieve 3–5% annual sales growth in digital and SCADA/OT services.
• Support strategic pursuits by positioning CDM Smith as a leader in digital innovation, contributing to win rates above 50%.
• Mentor and grow a high-performing team of automation engineers by recruiting talent with SCADA/OT, application software, and data science expertise (target: 1–2 hires/year).
• Represent CDM Smith at industry events, publish and present thought leadership to elevate our technical brand.
• Collaborate with digital teams to develop reusable platforms, tools, and frameworks to scale innovation and promote delivery consistency.

Job Title: OT Emerging Technologies & SCADA Digital Innovation-Discipline Leader

Group: ISO

Employment Type: Regular

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in electrical, chemical, or mechanical engineering, or in engineering technology or related discipline. PE license required.
• Minimum of 10 years of related experience. Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required; frequency varies by duties and project workload.

Other Details

EEO Statement: CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, or genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why CDM Smith? Video: Meet-CDM-Smith. Visit our website for more information.

Job Site Location: United States - Nationwide

Agency Disclaimer: All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement to receive payment for placement. Resumes submitted outside of CDM Smith Recruiting Center are considered CDM Smith property.

Amount of Travel Required: 20%

Assignment Category: Fulltime-Regular

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in OT systems design, SCADA integration, and application software for automation platforms.
• Experience with AI/ML platforms (e.g., Python, TensorFlow, Azure, AWS) and automation tools (e.g., GE iFIX, Ignition, OSIsoft PI).
• Knowledge of ICS network architectures, cybersecurity practices, and system interoperability.
• Strong strategic thinking, technical leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

Background Check and Drug Testing: CDM Smith reserves the right to require background checks and drug testing as appropriate.

Pay Range Minimum: $104,229

Pay Range Maximum: $182,374

Additional Compensation: All bonuses are discretionary and may or may not apply.

Work Location Options: Hybrid work options may be considered for successful candidate.

Driver's License Requirements: Valid driver’s license required.

Massachusetts Applicants: Legal notice regarding lie detector tests in Massachusetts.