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 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 cutting-edge projects that make a real impact on sustainable infrastructure and customer experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land OT Architect (Operational Technology & Cyber Security) - Water Utilities
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your projects and achievements in OT and cybersecurity. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to OT architecture and cybersecurity. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Cognizant.
We think you need these skills to ace OT Architect (Operational Technology & Cyber Security) - Water Utilities
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, cybersecurity, 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 operational technology and how you can contribute to our mission at Cognizant. Let us know what excites you about this role!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to include examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and come up with innovative solutions, especially in the utilities sector.
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 you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognizant
✨Know Your OT Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Operational Technology systems, especially SCADA and telemetry. Be ready to discuss how these systems integrate with enterprise IT and ERP platforms, as this will show your understanding of the role's technical requirements.
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Savvy
Familiarise yourself with ISA/IEC 62443 and NIS2 security principles. Be prepared to talk about how you've implemented cybersecurity measures in past projects, as this is crucial for the OT Architect role.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Think of examples where you've acted as a trusted advisor or led workshops. Highlight your ability to translate complex operational requirements into clear, actionable plans, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about data flows, IIoT technologies, and cloud integration. Practise articulating your thought process and problem-solving approach, as this will help you stand out as a candidate who can lead architectural decisions.
