Senior Operational Technology (OT) Program Manager (SCADA)

Title: Senior Operational Technology (OT) Program Manager (SCADA)
Location: Houston TX - Hybrid
12 month contract and possibility of extension

Job Summary:
The Senior Operational Technology (OT) Program Manager is responsible for leading and executing complex OT projects within the IT organization of a Fortune 200 company. This role requires a deep understanding of industrial automation, cybersecurity, and IT/OT convergence to drive strategic initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, security, and compliance. The ideal candidate will partner with cross-functional teams, including IT, operations, engineering, and external vendors, to ensure the successful implementation of OT solutions.

Key Responsibilities:
Project Leadership & Execution:
Manage the IT lifecycle of OT projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with business goals.
Drive IT/OT integration initiatives, ensuring seamless collaboration between enterprise IT and industrial control systems (ICS).
Collaborate: Work closely with industrial automation teams and stakeholders to define project Product, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria for OT digital deliverables.
o Act as the primary contact and coordinator between the Industrial Automation Department and the Digital departments that support Operational Technology.
o This role will track and facilitate IT processes for the Operational Technology on behalf of the Industrial Automation Department.
Develop Plans: Create project plans, including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies, tailored to the specific needs of OT environments.
Manage Execution: Oversee project execution, ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget, while maintaining quality standards and addressing any roadblocks.
Integration: Facilitate seamless integration of IT solutions with existing industrial automation systems, minimizing disruptions and maximizing compatibility.

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Act as a liaison between IT, operations, and engineering teams to align OT initiatives with business objectives.
Coordinate with cybersecurity teams to ensure OT systems adhere to industry security standards (e.g., NIST, ISA/IEC 62443).
Work with vendors and service providers to deliver high-quality OT solutions while managing contracts and service agreements.
Risk Management & Compliance:
Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to OT project execution and cybersecurity threats.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., NERC CIP, FDA, ISO 27001) and internal IT/OT governance policies.
Implement best practices for change management, system resilience, and disaster recovery in OT environments.
Technical & Business Alignment:
Oversee the IT responsibilities in the deployment of SCADA, DCS, MES, PLC, and other industrial automation systems.
Support IT/OT infrastructure initiatives, including edge computing, cloud integration, and IoT deployments.
Stay up to date with emerging OT trends, technologies, and regulatory changes impacting the organization.

Qualifications & Experience:
Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Industrial Automation, or a related field (Master s preferred), or 10 years of experience
5+ years of project management experience in Operational Technology (OT), IT/OT convergence, or industrial automation.
Strong experience in leading large-scale OT transformation projects within a corporate IT environment.
Expertise in project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, PMP, PRINCE2).
Knowledge of ICS, SCADA, MES, IIoT, and cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443).
Experience with cloud-based OT solutions (AWS, Azure IoT, Edge Computing).
Strong understanding of networking, industrial protocols (Modbus, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP), and OT cybersecurity.
Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Helpful Certifications:
PMP (Project Management Professional)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA)
ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Expert
Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certification

Must Have Skill (Top 3):
1.) Project Management create and manage
schedules, manage costs/resources
2.) Strong written and verbal communication &
interpersonal skills
3.) Familiarity with Industrial Automation, SCADA, Operational Technology, Networking, Cybersecurity

Prior applicable job experience:
1.) PM experience in a field-level software and/or hardware technology rollout to large organizations
2.) Experience in coordinating cross-functional teams in an industrial automation context within a large corporation
3.) Developing and facilitating adoption of standards in the domain of Software, Operational Technology, SCADA, networking, and/or Cybersecurity
What does a normal day for this candidate look like?
Developing project plans and scheduled in coordination with the software/IT group and the field operations stakeholders.
Coordination of multiple active deployments with field personnel
Managing issues arising from deployment activities to resolution

Please list programs, software, tools, or systems this resource will use.
Excel, PowerPoint, MSWord, MS Project, SCADA, Service Now, Outlook
What level resource are you looking for?
Senior resource with a proven track record Are any certifications required or preferred? Bachelor-level college degree in related field strongly preferred Engineering and/or software background preferred Senior -level resource, 5+ years minimum