At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and integration of Operational Technology systems in modern utilities.
- Company: Cognizant, a top global tech consulting firm with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to sustainability and digital transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming water utilities through cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in OT systems, cybersecurity, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
OT Architect (Operational Technology & Cyber Security) - Water Utilities in London employer: Cognizant
Cognizant is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving field of Operational Technology and Cyber Security. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Cognizant provides extensive training opportunities and encourages professional development, ensuring that team members are equipped to lead transformative initiatives in the water utilities sector. Located in the UK, employees benefit from a culture that values diversity and inclusion, alongside the chance to work on impactful projects that contribute to sustainable infrastructure and enhanced customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land OT Architect (Operational Technology & Cyber Security) - Water Utilities in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups or webinars, and connect with current Cognizant employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with OT systems and cybersecurity. When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or hiring managers, let your expertise shine through.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or using online platforms. Focus on articulating your thoughts on SCADA systems, IIoT technologies, and how you can contribute to Cognizant's mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at Cognizant. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace OT Architect (Operational Technology & Cyber Security) - Water Utilities in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the OT Architect role. Highlight your experience with SCADA systems, cybersecurity, and any relevant projects you've worked on in the utilities sector. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention specific technologies you’ve worked with, like PLCs, RTUs, or cloud platforms. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge of operational technology and data integration.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the important bits!
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, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognizant
✨Know Your OT Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Operational Technology concepts, especially SCADA systems and their integration with IT. Brush up on protocols like Modbus and OPC UA, as these will likely come up in conversation.
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Savvy
Familiarise yourself with ISA/IEC 62443 and NIS2 principles. Be prepared to discuss how you would embed these security measures into OT designs, as cybersecurity is a key focus for the role.
✨Prepare Real-World Examples
Think of specific projects where you've successfully integrated OT and IT systems or led a SCADA upgrade. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your achievements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you would translate operational requirements into scalable architectures and lead workshops, as this is crucial for the role.
