Senior OT Architect

As a Senior OT Architect, you will play a leading role in shaping how organisations design, evolve and secure their operational technology environments. This is a senior, client-facing position focused on discovery, architectural design and technical leadership across complex OT landscapes. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, delivery teams and engineering specialists to define practical, scalable solutions that reflect the realities of operational environments.

The role sits at the intersection of strategy and delivery — guiding architectural direction, supporting major programmes of work, and ensuring that designs are grounded, implementable and aligned to operational needs. You will act as a trusted technical authority across engagements, helping organisations understand their current environments, define improvement roadmaps and establish the foundations required to support long-term resilience and maturity.

Working within our IACS Community, our Industrial Automation & Control Systems (IACS) capability sits at the heart of how we support organisations operating complex OT and ICS environments. As part of this practice, you’ll be part of a community of experienced architects, consultants and engineers who collaborate across a wide range of operational settings. Knowledge gained from live environments is shared openly, helping shape how the practice continues to evolve.

Architects operate with a high degree of autonomy while remaining closely connected to the wider team — providing technical leadership, supporting delivery teams, and contributing to the development of standards, methodologies and architectural approaches across the practice. This is an environment where experience is valued, collaboration is natural, and individuals play a meaningful role in shaping how OT services are delivered.

As a Senior OT Architect, you will:

• Lead discovery engagements and define architectural approaches across complex OT environments
• Design end-to-end OT solutions aligned to operational requirements, safety considerations and long-term sustainability
• Partner with commercial and delivery teams to support technical proposals, scope definition and solution shaping
• Act as the senior technical escalation point across OT engagements
• Lead and oversee site surveys to understand OT systems, networks and asset landscapes
• Guide security and compliance assessments across operational environments
• Facilitate risk identification and support the development of mitigation strategies
• Develop architectural roadmaps to support capability uplift and long-term improvement
• Support the creation of governance models, policies, standards and operating frameworks
• Oversee third-party suppliers and technical partners across project delivery
• Present architectural approaches, findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and direction to OT consultants and engineers
• Work alongside project managers to ensure delivery aligns with scope, timelines and outcomes

Significant experience working within OT, ICS or industrial environments in an architectural, senior consultant or technical leadership capacity is required. A strong background in one or more OT domains, such as:

• Network architecture and segmentation
• Asset discovery and environment visibility
• Governance, policy and standards
• Endpoint protection in operational environments
• Risk assessment and situational review

Experience designing and shaping OT solutions across complex environments is essential, along with a proven ability to develop roadmaps and structured improvement approaches. You should have experience producing detailed technical reports and architectural deliverables, and confidence presenting complex technical concepts to senior and executive stakeholders. A strong understanding of cyber security processes, tools and implementation approaches within OT contexts is also necessary, along with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable qualifications include significant experience within OT security, industrial environments or critical infrastructure, previous consultancy experience across sectors such as energy, oil & gas, chemicals, manufacturing or utilities, and knowledge of recognised industry frameworks and standards including IEC 62443, NERC CIP, NESA, OG86, GICSP or equivalent certifications. Additional cyber security certifications such as CISSP, GCIA, GCIH, CEH are also beneficial.

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a competitive salary, here’s what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.