Operational Technology Engineer – Advanced Manufacturing Scale-Up

Operational Technology Engineer – Advanced Manufacturing Scale-Up

Location: Coventry

Hours: Full time

Salary: £40,000 to £50,000 plus 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), pension, life assurance, employee assistance programme, wellbeing support, and flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme

About the Role

Unipart Manufacturing is launching a flagship, fast-paced manufacturing project in Coventry, combining high-volume electrification assembly with complex injection moulding inputs. Fully aligned with Unipart’s Sector and Growth Strategy and The Unipart Way Forward Plan, this exciting venture will scale rapidly from zero to over 200 team members within a four-month period. We are seeking an Operational Technology (OT) Engineer to manage, secure, and maintain the industrial automation infrastructure across our manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Technology Transformation Manager, you will bridge the gap between traditional IT networks and industrial control systems (ICS) - ensuring maximum system reliability, low latency, and robust cyber security defence against operational threats.

As part of your key responsibilities, you'll:

ICS and Control System Management - Oversee the design, installation, and maintenance of industrial control systems to guarantee operational reliability.

OT Network Architecture and IT Integration - Design and manage low-latency OT network architectures, collaborating with IT teams to ensure secure integration with enterprise ERP, MES, and data platforms.

Industrial Cyber Security Strategy - Implement OT cybersecurity strategies - including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and patch management - aligned with IEC 62443, NIST, or ISO 27001 standards.

Vulnerability and Penetration Testing - Conduct regular vulnerability assessments, system audits, and penetration testing to identify and mitigate security risks.

Data Integration and Analytics - Develop secure protocols for data exchange between shop-floor OT systems and higher-level analytics platforms to support decision-making.

System Maintenance and Documentation - Maintain detailed technical documentation, including network topology diagrams, configuration baselines, and security protocols.

Technology Modernisation - Identify and implement innovative automation and OT technologies to drive continuous improvement in line efficiency and resilience.

Compliance and SHE Adherence - Ensure all OT infrastructure complies with industry regulations, safety standards, and environmental health & safety (SHE) policies.

About You

We'd love you to have the following skills and experience, but please apply if you think you'd be able to perform well in this role!

Industrial Engineering Background - Proven experience in an Operational Technology, Automation, or Industrial Control Systems (ICS) engineering role within manufacturing.

Automation Systems Mastery - Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting shop-floor automation hardware.

OT Security Frameworks - Practical knowledge of industrial cyber security standards such as IEC 62443, NIST CSF, or ISO 27001.

Network Infrastructure and Protocols - Skilled in industrial network architecture, switches, firewalls, network segmentation, and fieldbus/industrial Ethernet protocols.

IT/OT Convergence and MES/ERP - Track record of bridging IT and shop-floor OT environments, including data exchange with MES or ERP systems.

Auditing and Threat Mitigation - Experience performing vulnerability assessments, security patching, and network performance monitoring in live production environments.

Analytical and Communication Skills - Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to communicate technical OT/security concepts to operational stakeholders.

About Unipart

We are a supply chain performance improvement partner. We Design, Make, Move, and Improve components in our customers' supply chains, keeping their operations and assets moving and working better, for longer. Through our commitment to continuously driving operational efficiencies, we improve performance - saving time, cost, and carbon. Our ambition is to be the driving force behind efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We believe that a great workplace is one where you can bring your whole self to work. Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and based entirely on merit. We define merit through a combination of technical skills and the core behaviours that help our people thrive at Unipart. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity that exceeds our statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and subsequent legislation. Whether it's your age, disability, neurodiversity, gender identity, family status, or any other characteristic that makes you 'you' - it is your talent and potential that we value most. Adjustments for you: We want you to perform at your best. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have specific accessibility needs at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are here to support you.

You may have experience in the following: Operational Technology Engineer, OT Engineer, OT Security Engineer, Industrial Control Systems, ICS Engineer, SCADA, PLC, Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, Industrial Cyber Security, IEC 62443, NIST CSF, ISO 27001, Network Engineer, Industrial Ethernet, Fieldbus, IT/OT Convergence, MES, ERP, Vulnerability Assessment, Penetration Testing, Manufacturing Engineer