IT Consultant

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced Consultant – IT/OT Network professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience in designing, implementing, and managing Information Technology (IT)/Operational Technology (OT) networks within enterprise & manufacturing environments. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in IT network architecture, IT/OT segmentation, legacy network migrations, and an in-depth understanding of secure industrial communication protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive IT/OT network infra and architectures, including 5-zone segmentation strategies and Industry 4.0 zoning frameworks.
• Oversee the design and deployment of secure IT/OT network solutions in manufacturing environments.
• Lead IT/OT network segmentation projects to optimize performance, security, and compliance requirements.
• Analyze packet flow, create and implement firewall rules for IT/OT data streams, and ensure proper zoning to minimize risk.
• Migrate legacy IT/OT networks to modern Industry 4.0 architectures while ensuring minimal disruption to production.
• Drive integration and interoperability of industrial switches, firewalls, and secure remote-access solutions.
• Manage and optimize Phoenix Contact industrial switches, mGuard firewalls, and mCloud connectivity solutions.
• Plan, implement, and optimize SD-WAN, data center, enterprise, and cloud connectivity to support global manufacturing operations.
• Cisco ACI Fabric: Configurations, Spine & Leaf architecture, troubleshooting, vPC, Layer 3 out, and ACI upgradation
• Cisco DMVPN, Routing Protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), and advanced routing (Redistribution, Summarization, Policy Routing).
• Switching Technologies: VLANs, STP, Trunking, EtherChannel, HSRP/VRRP/GLBP, and Layer 2/3 security.
• Network Tools and Monitoring: Syslog, SNMP, Netflow, Netops,SolarWinds, WireShark.
• QoS Implementation and traffic management.
• Firewall Knowledge, IPv4 addressing/subnetting/VLSM, structured cabling
• Coordinate incident response and recovery plans in OT environments, proactively addressing vulnerabilities and threats.
• Provide L3 and L4 support for complex IT/OT network incidents impacting industrial operations.
• Ensure network solutions comply with relevant industry standards, protocols, and security best practices.
• Continuously assess risks, develop robust mitigation strategies, and maintain thorough documentation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Production, IT, Security, and other stakeholders) to drive operational excellence.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise language for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Science, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Certifications (preferred): CCNP, CCNP, CCIE, CISSP, CISA, or similar relevant certifications.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• IT/OT Network Design: Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and managing OT networks, including 5-zone segmentation.
• Industry Protocols & Standards: Strong understanding of industrial (MODBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP) and IT protocols (TCP/IP, VLANs, VPN).
• Security & Firewall Management: Hands-on experience with packet flow analysis, firewall rule creation, and secure remote-access solutions.
• Industrial Networking Equipment: Extensive knowledge of Phoenix Contact industrial switches, mGuard firewalls, and mCloud connectivity.
• Cisco ACI, SD-WAN & Cloud Connectivity: Familiarity with Cisco ACI, SD-WAN technologies, data center, enterprise, and cloud network architectures.
• Routing & Switching: BGP, OSPF, EIGRP routing protocol and basic to advance switching technologies.
• Network Monitoring tools: Syslog, SNMP, Netflow, Netops, SolarWinds, WireShark.
• Incident Response: Demonstrated capability to manage OT security incidents, threat mitigation, and OT network recovery.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to assess complex network issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Communication & Leadership: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and present to executive stakeholders.