At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and integration of Operational Technology systems in modern utilities.
- Company: Cognizant, a top global IT and consulting firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, remote work options, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on sustainability and cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming water utilities with innovative technology solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in OT architecture, SCADA systems, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
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 340,000 employees as of January 2025.
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.
Energy & Utilities Consulting Energy & utilities in the UK are going through a transformation journey with the focus on making data-centric Asset Investment decisions, enhanced customer experience (through digital and data enablement), sustainable and reliable infrastructure (green energy driven water treatment, fewer leakages etc.), digitalisation of the aging infrastructure, visualisation of their disparate decision support systems in a single pane of glass and most importantly disruption from innovative technologies entering the marketplace.
Role Overview The OT Architect will lead the design integration and governance of Operational Technology (OT) systems across a modern utilities environment. This role focuses on secure SCADA telemetry and industrial automation platforms ensuring seamless interoperability with enterprise IT ERP and cloud ecosystems.
Roles & Responsibilities
- OT Architecture & Systems Integration
- Design and maintain end to end OT architectures covering SCADA RTUs/PLCs telemetry historian platforms and field communications.
- Develop integration patterns between OT systems and enterprise IT/ERP platforms (e.g. SAP Oracle Maximo GIS asset management).
- Define secure data flows between plant control rooms corporate networks and cloud services.
- Lead the adoption of IIoT technologies edge computing and modern data architectures for real time operational insight.
- Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Embed ISA/IEC 62443 NIS2 and UK CNI security principles into OT designs.
- Conduct risk assessments threat modelling and architecture reviews across OT environments.
- Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement segmentation zero trust principles and secure remote access for OT assets.
- SCADA & Utilities Operations
- Provide architectural leadership for SCADA upgrades control system migrations and telemetry modernization programs.
- Work closely with control room operations and engineering teams to ensure system reliability availability and regulatory compliance.
- Support lifecycle planning for OT assets including vendor selection obsolescence management and technology road mapping.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Technical Leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership engineering managers and IT/OT program teams.
- Translate operational requirements into scalable secure and compliant architectures.
- Lead workshops produce high quality technical documentation and guide delivery partners and system integrators.
- Support procurement contract reviews and vendor governance for OT and IIoT solutions.
Essential skills
- Utilities Operational Domain Knowledge
- Understanding of end-to-end business process model in Water and Wastewater treatment operations
- Understanding of supervisory and control processes
- Expertise in defining solutions for data acquisitions from operational systems and OT-IT Integration
- Understanding of operational technology elements (PLCs, RTUs, Data Loggers, SCADA systems, Timeseries historian etc.) and how they help utility operational processes
- Appreciation of protocols used in process automation Modbus, OPC UA, OPC DA, MQTT, AMQP etc.
Enterprise Asset Management Domain Expertise for Utilities
- Solution Design and Prototyping
- Business & technology process mapping, capability maps and value streams
- Excellent communication skills
Desired Skills
- Expertise in Cloud Technologies preferably Azure
- Appreciation of IoT Technologies
- An appreciation of Enterprise Architecture
Operational Technology Architect (OT Architect) - Water Utilities in City of London employer: Cognizant
Cognizant is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving field of water utilities. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Cognizant provides extensive training opportunities and encourages a culture of continuous learning, ensuring that employees are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of modern operational technology. Located in the heart of the UK, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to cutting-edge projects that drive meaningful change in the energy and utilities sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Technology Architect (OT Architect) - Water Utilities in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like a pro! Research the company, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects and achievements relevant to the role of an OT Architect. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your capabilities in real-world scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Technology Architect (OT Architect) - Water Utilities in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the OT Architect role. Highlight your experience with SCADA systems, data integration, and any relevant technologies. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of the water utilities sector!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Be sure to highlight your technical expertise in areas like IIoT, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge of operational technology and its application in real-world scenarios.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognizant
✨Know Your OT Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of Operational Technology architecture, especially in relation to SCADA systems and telemetry. Brush up on your knowledge of integration patterns between OT and IT systems, as this will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Savvy
Cognizant places a strong emphasis on cybersecurity principles like ISA/IEC 62443. Be prepared to discuss how you would embed these principles into OT designs and share examples of past experiences where you’ve implemented security measures in operational environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
As an OT Architect, you’ll need to act as a trusted advisor. Prepare to talk about how you’ve successfully engaged with senior leadership and technical teams in the past. Highlight any workshops or documentation you’ve produced that helped bridge the gap between operational requirements and technical solutions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in the energy and utilities sector, particularly around IIoT technologies and data-centric decision-making. Being able to discuss how these trends impact the role will show your passion and understanding of the industry.
