Engineer III, OT/ICS Cybersecurity & Controls

Nextpower is hiring an Engineer III to secure, harden, and maintain OT/ICS networks and control systems supporting BESS deployments. The role owns OT cybersecurity architecture and operations, including network and firewall configuration, SCADA administration, SIEM monitoring, Azure security, compliance, commissioning support, and incident response.

Responsibilities:

• Design, configure, and maintain OT network architecture for BESS sites, including managed Layer 2/3 switches, VLAN segmentation, subnetting, and routing between control, SCADA, and enterprise zones
• Configure, harden, and troubleshoot firewalls (policies, ACLs, NAT, and site-to-site/remote access VPNs) to enforce network segmentation and zero-trust principles across industrial control networks
• Administer the Ignition SCADA/HMI platform, including Gateway configuration, tag structures, alarming, security zones/roles, and scripting (Python/Jython) to support monitoring and supervisory control of BESS assets
• Deploy, tune, and monitor SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel) to aggregate logs, build detections/dashboards, and identify anomalous activity across OT and IT-adjacent systems
• Design and maintain Azure cloud network and security architecture supporting cloud-connected CMS/SCADA applications, including virtual networks, network security groups, Azure Firewall, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud
• Administer identity and access management (Azure Entra ID) for OT/ICS system access, including role-based access control, conditional access, and privileged access reviews
• Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments, vulnerability scanning, and gap analyses for ICS/OT assets, and drive remediation in accordance with IEC 62443, NERC CIP, and NIST 800-82/800-53 frameworks
• Support cybersecurity compliance audits by maintaining system inventories, network diagrams, security control documentation, and evidence of compliance
• Develop, maintain, and exercise OT incident response and disaster recovery playbooks/procedures in coordination with IT Security and Operations
• Partner with Controls Engineering on secure integration of PLCNext controllers, Modbus TCP/RTU, and OPC-UA communications into the CMS network architecture
• Provide onsite and remote support for network and cybersecurity-related troubleshooting during commissioning, ensuring switches, firewalls, and SCADA/Ignition systems are properly configured prior to energization
• Maintain awareness of emerging OT/ICS threats, vulnerabilities, and industry best practices, and recommend improvements to the security posture of the fleet
• Assist the Operations team in resolving network- and cybersecurity-related issues that arise post-commissioning
• Serve as the technical authority on OT/ICS cybersecurity architecture, advising Engineering and Delivery leadership on risk, tradeoffs, and long-term security strategy for the CMS/BESS platform
• Establish and evolve team standards, reference architectures, and best practices for network segmentation, firewall policy, SIEM use, and Ignition/SCADA security across the fleet
• Mentor junior engineers on OT network and cybersecurity fundamentals and review their designs and configurations for adherence to security and compliance standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Working knowledge of industrial network architecture and hands-on configuration/troubleshooting of managed switches, routers, and firewalls (e.g., Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto)
• Mastery of network fundamentals: VLANs, subnetting, routing, NAT, ACLs, and secure remote access (VPN)
• Required working knowledge of NERC CIP compliance requirements as they apply to BES Cyber Systems, including asset categorization, electronic/physical security perimeters, and access management
• Required familiarity with the IEC 62443 series of industrial automation and control systems (IACS) cybersecurity standards, including zone/conduit segmentation, security levels, and lifecycle security requirements
• Familiarity with additional ICS/OT cybersecurity frameworks and standards, including NIST 800-82/800-53
• Working knowledge of SIEM platforms, log aggregation, and security event correlation/alerting for threat detection
• Understanding of SCADA/HMI system architecture, particularly the Ignition platform (Gateway, Designer, tag/alarm structures)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Azure cloud networking and security services (VNets, NSGs, Azure Firewall, Entra ID, Defender for Cloud)
• Hands-on proficiency configuring, troubleshooting, and hardening Layer 2/3 managed network switches and firewalls (policies, routing, VLAN tagging, fiber network technology)
• Proficient administering the Ignition SCADA/HMI platform, including scripting and security configuration
• Proficient with SIEM tooling (e.g., Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or similar) for building detections, dashboards, and alerting
• Proficient with Microsoft Azure networking and security services; working knowledge of Azure AD/Entra ID administration
• Proficient supporting cybersecurity compliance activities, including documentation, evidence gathering, and audit support for frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NERC CIP
• Proficient with Modbus and/or OPC-UA industrial protocols
• Basic / Foundational experience with Python or PowerShell scripting for automation and log analysis
• Basic / Foundational experience with vulnerability scanning and assessment tooling
• Proficient in MS Office, Windows RDP, and remote administration tools
• Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and read/understand network, control, and electrical drawings
• Communicate effectively with staff and management at all levels, including translating technical cybersecurity risk into business terms
• Always maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity
• Lead proactive efforts to achieve departmental and company cybersecurity and compliance goals
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing requirements with a positive attitude
• Protect confidential information by not communicating, disclosing to, or using it for the benefit of 3rd parties. Protection of the CMS/SCADA platform and its cybersecurity posture is of utmost importance
• Comply with all EHS policies, practices, and procedures, reporting all unsafe activities to Management and/or Human Resources
• Work in a global environment to maintain standards and latest cybersecurity practices
• Ability to work closely with and influence cross-functional teams (Controls, Software, IT, and Operations)
• Self-directed project management skills to lead security initiatives to completion
• Highly competitive, self-starter that can work both individually and in a group setting
• Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) years of related experience in OT/ICS or IT network security
• Demonstrated familiarity with and hands-on experience supporting NERC CIP compliance requirements (e.g., asset identification/categorization, electronic and physical security perimeters, access control, and audit evidence/documentation) is required
• Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting managed network switches and firewalls in a production or industrial environment is required
• Experience administering or supporting a SCADA/HMI platform (Ignition preferred) is required
• Experience with SIEM deployment, tuning, or monitoring is required
• Familiarity with IEC 62443 industrial cybersecurity standards is required
• Experience supporting cybersecurity compliance programs more broadly (NIST 800-82) is preferred
• Relevant certifications a plus: CISSP, GICSP, CCNA/CCNP Security, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Certified SCADA Security Architect
• Experience reading and understanding project drawings, network diagrams, and technical documentation
• Protocol working knowledge in Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC-UA, MQTT-SpB, and/or IEC 61850 is a plus
• Experience with BESS, Container Management Systems, or other industrial control system environments including their communication network architecture and cybersecurity requirements is a plus
• Working knowledge of Linux OS, including command-line administration, service/log management, and basic hardening practices is a plus
• Experience with Microsoft Azure networking, security, and identity services is preferred
• Experience with inverter-based technology projects, especially involving Battery Energy Storage Systems or PV, is considered an asset