Business Analyst (Operational Technology) - Utilities Industry

The Company Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 350,000 employees as of January 2024.

Cognizant Consulting At Cognizant, our consultants orchestrate the capabilities to truly change the game across strategy, design, technology and industry/functional knowledge to deliver insight at speed and solutions at scale. Our consulting services elevate the unique abilities and business aspirations of customers and employees and build relationships based on trust and value.

Water Utilities Consulting With the arrival of AMP8 and recent market developments, Water Utilities in the UK have embarked on a transformation journey that focuses on sustainability, reliable infrastructure, customer centricity, social responsibility, and disruption from innovative competitors entering the marketplace. Cognizant has multiple engagements with water utilities in the UK where we are utilising our capabilities in data science and digital enablement to help them lead this transformation through new offerings, solutions and innovative business models that are aligned to the market trends and regulatory commitments.

We are looking for experienced business analysts/consultants/product owners who are passionate about making a difference for our clients in the energy and utilities domain. This is an opportunity for being at the forefront of the transformation journey working with the best minds in the energy and utilities domain at Cognizant.

Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Business Analyst with a robust Operational Technology (OT) background to join our team. This role is critical for bridging the gap between business needs and OT systems, ensuring seamless integration and optimization of technologies within the utilities domain. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving process improvement, enhancing system performance, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Requirements Gathering and Analysis: Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and document business, functional, and technical requirements related to OT systems. Conduct workshops, interviews, and process mapping to understand current systems and workflows.
• Operational Technology Expertise: Provide expertise in OT systems, including SCADA, DCS, PLC, and other industrial control systems used in the utilities sector. Work closely with IT and OT teams to ensure system interoperability and security. Analyze OT infrastructure and recommend upgrades or improvements aligned with business goals.
• Solution Design and Implementation: Develop detailed specifications for system changes or enhancements. Assist in evaluating, selecting, and implementing new OT solutions. Ensure alignment of OT systems with operational strategies and compliance standards.
• Stakeholder Communication: Act as a liaison between business units, IT, and OT teams to ensure alignment on project objectives and deliverables. Present findings, solutions, and progress updates to management and stakeholders.
• Process Improvement: Identify inefficiencies in existing OT-related processes and propose innovative solutions. Support the integration of OT data into enterprise systems for better decision-making and analytics.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure adherence to industry regulations, including NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and other applicable standards. Identify and mitigate risks associated with OT systems and infrastructure.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Proven experience as a Business Analyst, preferably in the utilities sector with a focus on OT systems.
• In-depth knowledge of OT technologies such as SCADA, PLCs, RTUs, and industrial networking.
• Strong understanding of utility operations.
• Familiarity with IT/OT convergence and cybersecurity principles.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in process mapping tools, business analysis frameworks, and requirements documentation.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as NERC CIP, ISO 27001, or similar.

Preferred Experience:

• Working experience with advanced OT technologies (e.g., IoT, digital twins).
• Hands-on experience in utility-specific OT applications.
• Certifications such as CBAP, PMP, or certifications in OT cybersecurity (e.g., GICSP, CISSP).

Work Environment:

Candidates should be comfortable working in both office and travel to client sites. Join our team to shape the future of OT innovation in the utilities domain while driving operational excellence and sustainability.