At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement security for industrial systems, ensuring safety and resilience.
- Company: Join a leading organisation driving cyber transformation in operational technology.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, flexible leave, generous pension, and health assistance.
- Other info: Permanent role in the North West with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact securing critical systems in a high-stakes environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in OT/ICS security and knowledge of relevant standards required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
We’re working with a large organisation undergoing significant cyber and digital transformation to hire a Cyber Security Architect focused on Operational Technology (OT). This role sits within a dedicated Security Architecture function and is specifically aligned to securing industrial and operational systems. The focus is on designing and assuring cyber security controls across complex OT environments, ensuring operational resilience, regulatory alignment, and risk mitigation from the outset.
This is not an enterprise IT architecture role — it is centred on industrial control systems, operational networks, and IT/OT convergence.
What you’ll do
- Define and implement security architecture principles across OT / ICS environments.
- Embed secure-by-design controls into industrial systems and operational technology platforms.
- Lead design assurance across OT network segmentation, zone and conduit modelling, and industrial DMZ architectures.
- Identify architectural gaps within existing OT estates and define pragmatic remediation roadmaps.
- Align OT security architecture to recognised frameworks and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with OT engineers, operational stakeholders, and cyber teams to balance safety, availability, and security.
- Provide architectural guidance across IT/OT convergence programmes.
What we’re looking for
- Proven experience securing Operational Technology (OT) or Industrial Control Systems (ICS) environments.
- Strong understanding of IT/OT convergence and securing legacy or brownfield industrial estates.
- Knowledge of recognised OT security standards such as IEC 62443 (ISA-99), NIST SP 800-82, and application of the Purdue Model.
- Experience designing secure segmentation models (zones and conduits), industrial firewalls, and secure remote access solutions.
- Familiarity with industrial protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, Ethernet/IP, OPC/UA, and associated security risks.
- Experience operating in regulated, safety-critical, or high-availability environments.
- Ability to translate technical risk into clear architectural decisions for engineering and operational audiences.
We welcome candidates from any industry with relevant OT/ICS experience — energy, utilities, manufacturing, transport, defence, or other industrial sectors.
What’s on offer
- 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, flexible leave options, and family-friendly policies.
- Generous employer pension contribution up to 13.5% and employee health assistance programme.
- Maternity, paternity, adoption, and parental leave, as well as flexible working and career breaks.
- Employee Assistance Programme including helpline, coaching access, wellbeing app, digital GP service, and more.
This is a strategic, high-impact role focused on securing operational systems that underpin critical business and industrial functions. This is a permanent position based in the North West of England. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship and have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years without more than 6 months living overseas.
OT/ICS Cyber Security Architect in Birchwood employer: Ibex Talent Solutions
Join a forward-thinking organisation in the North West of England that prioritises cyber security and operational resilience. As a Cyber Security Architect, you will be part of a collaborative work culture that values innovation and employee growth, offering generous benefits such as 30 days' holiday, a substantial pension contribution, and comprehensive health assistance programmes. This role not only provides the opportunity to make a significant impact on critical industrial systems but also supports a healthy work-life balance with flexible working options.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land OT/ICS Cyber Security Architect in Birchwood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the OT/ICS space. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups. 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 case studies showcasing your experience with securing OT environments. This will help you stand out during interviews and give potential employers a clear picture of what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—focus on companies that align with your values and expertise. Use our website to find roles that match your skills in OT/ICS. Tailor your approach to each company, showing them why you’re the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s current OT security challenges and think about how you can help solve them. Be ready to discuss specific frameworks like IEC 62443 and how your experience aligns with their needs.
We think you need these skills to ace OT/ICS Cyber Security Architect in Birchwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Cyber Security Architect. Highlight your experience with OT/ICS environments and any relevant frameworks like IEC 62443 or NIST SP 800-82. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about securing operational technology and how your background makes you a perfect fit for this role. Let us know what excites you about working with us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Relevant Projects:If you've worked on projects involving industrial control systems or IT/OT convergence, make sure to mention them! We love seeing real-world examples of your work that demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills in action.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ibex Talent Solutions
✨Know Your OT/ICS Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems. Familiarise yourself with key standards like IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82, as well as the Purdue Model. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in designing secure segmentation models and industrial firewalls. Have specific examples ready where you've implemented secure-by-design controls in OT environments. This will demonstrate your practical skills and understanding of the complexities involved.
✨Understand IT/OT Convergence
Be ready to discuss how you’ve navigated the challenges of IT/OT convergence in past roles. Highlight any experiences where you balanced safety, availability, and security. This shows that you can think strategically about how these areas intersect.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating technical risks into clear architectural decisions. You might be asked to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Use simple language and relatable examples to make your points.
