IOT Architect

Role: IOT Architect
Location: Houston ,TX(Hybrid)
Contract

Role Summary:
The Sr. Analyst, Operational Technology role is responsible for Vendor & Application management as well as performing or monitoring activities and projects related to the operation, integration, implementation, upgrade, and/or changes to Operational Technology systems. 

Roles and Responsibilities 
•    Implementation / Administration
o    Project Implementation - Complete assigned tasks that assist with the implementation of various projects related to applications. Document end-user requirements related to the new applications.
o    System Maintenance - Perform the maintenance of various systems and technologies. Respond to reported application issues. 
o    Application Administrator - Perform setup and configuration of assigned applications and administering systems interfaces.
•    Support
o    Internal Support - Coordinate the various IT systems with lifecycle management of assigned and dependent applications.
o    Documentation - Manage documentation for all supported applications and ensure documentation is current.  Documentation may include IT PMO, Disaster Recovery, Interconnection, etc.
o    Testing - Manage testing of multiple system upgrades before releasing them to the Business and provide recommendations for application system upgrades and enhancements.
o    On-Call Support - Provide on-call support during non-business hours to Operations on an as-needed basis.
o    Customer Service - Providing exceptional customer service.
o    SOX/Compliance - Monitor, perform and document processes and system internal audits. Monitor and conform to all SOX Compliance mandates.
o    Training - Be familiar with and be able to deliver training for new users on operational technology systems and for all users on updated operational technolgy systems. Understand and disseminate training plans for operational technology systems throughout the company.  Function as a training resource for all users. 
o    Process Improvements - Contribute and/or Lead based on knowledge and experience, continuously identify potential opportunities to increase efficiencies and/or improvements to existing processes.  Identify gaps in the current business model and propose processes that will help move the business forward.
•    And other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:
Degree – Desired - Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.

•    7-10 years of experience supporting industrial control systems and Operational Technology (OT) environments within energy, refined fuels, manufacturing, or similar industrial domains. Preferred experience in midstream oil and gas.

•    Preferred technical experience includes: Windows adminstration, Linux administration, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), Operator Interface Panels (OIPs), client/server architectures, Penguin (Stratus) ztC Edge and ftServertechnologies.

•    Hands on experience troubleshooting, configuring, and supporting PLC and HMI systems, including current and legacy hardware and PLC programming platforms such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Emerson PAC Machine Edition, B&R Automation Studio. HMI Application Experience: FactoryTalk View SE, Inductive Automation Ignition, InduSoft/Aveva Edge. Preferred PLC and OIP experience: Rockwell, B&R, Emerson (legacy and current hardware). DCS Experience: DeltaV, PlantPAx 

•    Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex system interactions, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective corrective actions in high availability terminal and pipeline environments. 

•    Strong working knowledge of Windows operating systems and Linux environments, including installation, configuration, patching, and troubleshooting in OT environments.

•    Strong understanding of how OT devices communicate over segmented networks, including industrial protocols, required ports, and system dependencies. Experience re IP’ing OT devices (PLCs, HMIs, OIPs, gateways, servers) and validating device to device communications.
(Hands on firewall or switch configuration is not required.)

•    Experience configuring or overseeing HMI screen development using standardized style guides and templates, ensuring consistency, usability, and alignment with operational best practices.

•    Experience supporting PLC, HMI, and OIP password protection initiatives, including implementation and validation of access controls.

•    IT/OT Application Experience: Hands-on experience supporting and administering IT/OT applications such as  FactoryTalk AssetCentre, Rockwell Secure OT, BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA), Pleasant Password Server, or similar asset management, cybersecurity, privileged access, and backup/recovery solutions.

•    Security, Access, and Remote Support Capabilities: Proven ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot secure remote access, privileged credential management, and recovery operations across IT and OT environments. This includes leveraging tools such as BeyondTrust PRA to ensure secure vendor and internal access, maintaining compliance, and supporting high-availability operational systems.

•    Ability to travel up to 25% both domestically and internationally.

Certificates & Licenses:
•    Ignition (Core or Gold Certification) 
•    FactoryTalk View Certification

Other Skills, Attributes and Abilities:

•    Communication (oral & written) - Makes clear and convincing verbal presentations to individuals or groups. Independently delivers presentations and briefings as required within role. Effectively and consistently facilitates meetings with key stakeholders.
•    Decision Making & Problem Solving - Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, experience and judgement. Appropriately escalates issues requiring leadership insights, input on decisions. Ability to effectively seek out others, including leader or key stakeholders to ensure best decision is made.
•    Customer Service - Proactively identifies potential issues that could impact internal or external customers and resolves issues as appropriate. Promptly reacts to requests from customers in a timely and professional manner. Reinforces importance of customer service.
•    Stakeholder Engagement - Ability to maintain good relationships with the people who have the most impact on your work. Actively seek feedback from stakeholder groups; listens effectively.
•    Use of Resources (including contractor management) - Ability to lead work including people resources to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Ability to deliver with resources provided or communicate in a timely manner when additional resources (time, people, money) are required to deliver on time. Develop schedules and task/people assignments.
•    Time Management & Organization - Can effectively present and when necessary, instruct others on how to structure projects according to company standards. Ability to self-organize tasks. Effectively organizes time and priorities activities that advance project goals and key deliverables.
•    Self-Development - Takes initiative to assess own development needs and seeks out constructive feedback. Implements plans to improve upon identified development needs. Proactively gains knowledge and seeks opportunities to further develop abilities.

Essential Functions:
•    This position requires the ability to perform essential job functions consistent safely and successfully with ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and or/quantitative productivity standards.
•    This role requires the ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.
•    This position requires compliance with all personnel policies.

Physical & Safety Requirements:
•    The person in this position needs to occasionally move inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc. 
•    This role continuously operates a computer and other office productivity equipment (i.e., a calculator, copy machine and computer printer).