IT/OT Solutions Architect

Proconex is the exclusive Emerson Impact Partner for Emerson Automation Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. We provide a full portfolio of Process Automation Control Systems, Valves and Control Devices, and related technologies and services to a range of customers—in the Life Sciences, Chemical, Power, Refining, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Paper, Metals, and other industries, as well as commercial enterprises and campus facilities. With three strategically located offices, Proconex maintains a deep dedication to its 200+ employees, a sharp focus on safety and quality, and the drive to deliver.

IT/OT Solution Architect

Job Overview

The IT/OT Solution Architect designs and implements integrated architectures that bridge information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems within manufacturing environments centered around Distributed Control Systems (DCS). This role ensures seamless data flow between process automation, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and enterprise IT systems while leading the design of scalable, future-ready solutions that support secure, compliant, and high-performing digital manufacturing operations. The position requires strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, effective communication across engineering, IT, and operations teams, and the ability to translate technical design into business value.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end IT/OT solution architectures integrating DCS, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), MES, and enterprise IT systems (Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)).
• Define connectivity standards between DCS and higher-level systems using protocols such as Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA), Modbus, Ethernet Industrial Protocol (EtherNet/IP), and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT).
• Design secure network topologies, including plant network segmentation, firewalls, and industrial demilitarized zone (DMZ) configurations.
• Support the development of edge and cloud data architectures for real-time process monitoring, historian integration, and predictive analytics.
• Evaluate and recommend technology platforms to support digital transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead the integration of DCS with MES and data historians (OSIsoft PI, Aveva, or Aspen InfoPlus.21).
• Collaborate with process automation and IT teams to establish standardized data models, interfaces, and asset hierarchies.
• Provide guidance on DCS modernization, virtualization, and cybersecurity hardening strategies.
• Ensure architectures meet performance, reliability, and compliance requirements (e.g., U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 11 for regulated industries).
• Define and enforce IT/OT architectural governance, design patterns, and configuration management practices, ensuring adherence to International Society of Automation (ISA)-95, ISA/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62443, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-82 standards for industrial cybersecurity and integration.
• Support the development of lifecycle management and migration plans for enterprise systems, and participate in audits, risk assessments, and cybersecurity incident response planning.
• Partner with engineering, operations, and digital transformation teams to align architecture with business objectives, and lead workshops to define requirements, solution designs, and technology roadmaps.
• Mentor cross-functional teams on IT/OT convergence, automation data flow, and best practices for DCS-to-enterprise integration.

This role is hybrid or onsite depending on facility needs and requires travel up to 75% for site assessments, design reviews, and deployment support.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, IT infrastructure, or control systems architecture.
• 3+ years of experience with DCS configuration, system design, and lifecycle management.
• 3+ years of experience with industrial networks, including Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), switches, firewalls, and remote access solutions.
• 3+ years of experience integrating automation systems with MES, LIMS, ERP, and data historian environments.
• 3+ years of experience with virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V) and industrial servers and workstations.
• 3+ years of experience with industrial communication protocols, including OPC Classic/UA, Modbus Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), MQTT, and EtherNet/IP.
• 3+ years of experience applying cybersecurity frameworks for industrial control systems (ISA/IEC 62443).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, or life sciences manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Emerson Syncade MES, OSIsoft PI, AspenTech, or Aveva solutions.
• Experience with cloud integration (Microsoft Azure Internet of Things (IoT), Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT) and edge computing for manufacturing data.
• Certifications such as The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISA/IEC 62443, or Emerson DeltaV professional certifications.
• Experience applying Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP) 5, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance principles.

We are proud to be an employee-owned organization. Through our ESOP, every team member shares in the growth and success of the company, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and long-term rewards.

Proconex offers a standout culture, fantastic work environment, and has very competitive benefits to include premium medical, 401K match, tuition reimbursement, and other unique incentives.

When receiving e-mails from a Proconex or Valspec recruiter, you will only receive e-mails from addresses ending in @proconexdirect.com, @proconex.net or @valspec.net.  Any other domains are impersonations and should be ignored.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States without company sponsorship.  Also, we are not interested in working on a corp-to-corp basis with other companies at this time.

Any third-party unsolicited resume submission(s) will immediately become the property of Proconex. Proconex will not pay any fee to a submitting employment agency, person, or entity unless a signed agreement is established.

Proconex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected class. We are committed to providing a professional environment free of any discrimination or harassment, and we are proud to be a Drug-Free Workplace.