Operational Technology Engineer

Holcim is the leading partner for sustainable construction with net sales of CHF 15.7 billion in 2025, creating value across the built environment from infrastructure and industry to buildings. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Holcim has more than 50 000 employees in 45 countries – across Europe, Latin America and Asia, Middle East & Africa – and has been recognized as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute. Holcim offers high-value end-to-end Building Materials and Building Solutions, from foundation and flooring to walling and roofing – powered by premium brands including ECOPact, ECOPlanet, ECOCycle, and Ytong.

Role Overview

TheOperational Technology Engineer is a specialized strategic role focused on the design, deployment, standardisation, and governance of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) - internally identified as Technical Information Systems (TIS). Acting as the critical bridge between TIS, ICS and the ERP, this role ensures the integrity, cyber-resilience and continuous availability of operational data across the global organization.

This role requires an innovative engineer to drive automation and digital transformation by serving high-fidelity data to advanced analytics, IIoT platforms, and optimization tools. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-performance culture, demonstrates a strong commitment to operational sustainability, and acts as a catalyst for continuous learning and technology adoption.

Main Responsibilities:

The Operational Technology Engineer plays a critical role in standardizing and optimizing automation systems to capture, analyse, and leverage production data, driving operational efficiency across all industrial processes.

1. Strategy & Standardization:

• Collaborate in define and implement corporate-wide ICS/TIS standards to ensure global consistency in KPIs, reporting structures, and data architecture across 100+ plants
• Align OT strategy in line with corporate guidance with business goals, identifying emerging technology needs and establishing multi-year technical roadmaps.
• Drive innovation and industrial transformation: implement Plant of Tomorrow (PoT) solutions to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.
• Train and mentor the OT plant teams: build high-performing operational plant teams through training and development, focusing on ICS and TIS systems.
• Educate and advise plant OT related risks and opportunities
• Support the product roadmap for new functionalities and features within the PCS/MES ecosystem.
• Design and maintain robust interfaces between the shop floor (PCS/DCS), laboratory (LIMS), and business layers (SAP).

2. Global Deployment & Operations:

• Support the full lifecycle of ICS/MES deployments, from initial site assessment and vendor coordination to post-go-live support and version upgrades.
• Ensure reliability of the ICS/TIS environment, coordinating with IT and external vendors.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot industrial data communication protocols and networking standards (e.g., Modbus, OPC UA/DA/HDA).
• Optimize production data streams to improve overall process efficiency and support decarbonization/sustainability goals.

3. Data Governance & Security:

• Uphold the highest standards of data quality, integrity, and confidentiality to support "Smart Operations" and advanced analytics.
• Collaborate with the Cybersecurity team to implement robust protective measures for OT data systems against evolving cyber threats.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for data architecture and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

4. Leadership & Knowledge Management:

• Design and execute global training programs to upskill plant-level PCS, TIS, PIMS, and LIMS champions.
• Manage a centralized corporate knowledge base, including engineering standards, operational manuals and troubleshooting guides.
• Influence senior stakeholders and plant management to ensure buy-in for digital initiatives and technical standards.

5. Collaboration & Communication:

• Work cross-functionally with Maintenance, Process/Production, Quality Control, Corporate IT, and PM&E to ensure end-to-end system integration and alignment.

6. Operational Management:

• Oversee site-level OT performance, ensuring smooth, secure, and efficient multi-plant operations. Implement and enforce cybersecurity measures: protect OT systems from cyber threats and vulnerabilities through OT cybersecurity controls.

Your Profile:

Level of education/qualifications normally required:

• MS or PhD in Electrical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering.
• (preferred) ISA/IEC 62443 OT cybersecurity certificate

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience as plant automation/systems engineer for process industry
• 3 years’ in managing industrial data systems (Historians, MES) and industrial networking.
• 3 years’ experience in cement (advantage)

Technical / functional skills:

• Deep understanding of OT systems in the process industry: This includes industrial control systems, SCADA systems, distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and manufacturing execution systems.
• Understanding of OT security threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies. Familiarity with security frameworks and standards like IEC 62443.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols like Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, and OPC UA.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms and IoT technologies relevant to industrial environments, JavaScript and prototyping languages such as Python
• In-depth understanding of continuous cement manufacturing processes, instrumentation, and sensor technologies.

Language skills:

• English (technical fluency critical)
• Spanish, German and French are an advantage

Mobility requirements:

• 30% international traveling worldwide

Benefits:

• Hybrid work contract
• Family Support: Subsidized child care and paid maternity/paternity leave
• Professional Growth: Company-sponsored training and professional development.
• Discounts and Perks: Subsidized meals, exclusive discounts, and company gifts for special occasions.
• Long-service awards
• Employee referral bonus
• Pension and Savings: Access to a comprehensive pension fund and an employee savings scheme.

Holcim is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We support equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexuality, disability, or age.

Important Notice: Holcim recruiters only contact candidates via official @[holcim.com] email addresses. We do not use Gmail or any other non-Holcim domains to conduct recruitment processes. Please verify the sender address before responding."