Senior Network Engineer – Industrial I/OT & Communications

Role: Senior Network Engineer – Industrial I/OT & Communications
Duration: expected 12-month contract (possible conversion)
Location: Etobicoke, ON (3 days onsite)

Job Summary
The Senior Network Engineer – Industrial OT & Communications is responsible for the design, implementation, security, and lifecycle management of highly available and resilient network infrastructures supporting industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, OT platforms, and mission?critical communications environments.
This role bridges enterprise IT networking and industrial operational environments, ensuring safe, secure, and reliable connectivity across industrial sites, control centers, and field operations. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on experience with industrial networking technologies, OT cybersecurity considerations, and real?time communications in regulated or safety?critical environments.

Key Responsibilities
Network Architecture & Engineering

• Design, implement, and maintain industrial-grade network architectures supporting OT systems, including SCADA, DCS, PLCs, RTUs, and IoT platforms.
• Architect high-availability, fault-tolerant, and segmented networks for industrial environments (ring, mesh, redundant topologies).
• Lead network modernization initiatives, including legacy OT network upgrades, convergence, and migration strategies.

Industrial OT & Communications

• Support industrial communications protocols and environments, including:
  • Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, DNP3, IEC 61850, OPC UA
  • Serial-to-IP, wireless industrial links, radio, microwave, LTE/5G (private or carrier)
• Engineer robust connectivity between control systems, substations, plants, field devices, and data centers.
• Collaborate with OT engineers, automation teams, and system integrators to ensure network designs align with operational and safety requirements.

Security & Compliance

• Implement OT network segmentation, zoning, and conduits in alignment with standards such as IEC 62443.
• Design and manage firewalls, secure remote access, VPNs, and intrusion detection in OT environments.
• Support risk assessments, audits, and incident response related to OT network security.
• Ensure networks meet regulatory and safety requirements for industrial and critical infrastructure environments.

Operations & Support

• Provide senior-tier troubleshooting and root cause analysis for network incidents affecting OT operations.
• Develop and maintain network documentation, diagrams, standards, and operational procedures.
• Monitor performance, availability, and health of OT communications infrastructure.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership within the network team.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a trusted technical advisor to engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and leadership teams.
• Participate in capital planning, vendor evaluations, and technology roadmaps.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects involving OT, IT, and business stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields (or equivalent practical experience):
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Network Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Industrial Automation / Control Systems Engineering
• 8+ years of experience in network engineering, with significant focus on industrial OT or ICS environments
• Strong hands-on experience with industrial networking equipment (e.g., Cisco Industrial Ethernet, Hirschmann, Ruggedcom, Moxa, Rockwell Stratix, Aruba, Juniper)
• Expert knowledge of:
  • TCP/IP, VLANs, QoS, SDN, multicast, routing (OSPF, BGP)
  • Redundancy protocols (HSRP/VRRP, RSTP/MSTP, PRP/HSR)
• Proven experience supporting mission?critical, real-time, or safety-sensitive networks
• Solid understanding of OT/ICS cybersecurity principles and network segmentation
• Experience working in regulated, critical infrastructure, or industrial environments
• Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following sectors:
  • Utilities, energy, manufacturing, transportation, mining, oil & gas
• Familiarity with:
  • IEC 62443, NIST SP 800?82, or similar OT security frameworks
  • Private LTE/5G, industrial wireless, or radio communications
• Certifications such as:
  • CCNP / CCIE
  • Industrial Networking or OT Security certifications
• Exposure to IT/OT convergence initiatives and hybrid environments
• Experience with network monitoring and management tools in OT contexts

Certifications (Preferred, not required)

• Cisco Industrial Networking Specialist
• Cisco CCNP Enterprise (with Industrial Ethernet focus)
• CCNP Enterprise
• CWNP Certifications
• CWNA / CWNP (industrial wireless, mobility)
• Private LTE / 5G Certifications (Nokia, Ericsson, or vendor ecosystem)
• Industrial Wireless Communication Certifications (licensed/unlicensed radio, microwave)
• ITIL (Intermediate or Expert) – operations maturity