Network Engineer

KING INDUSTRIES JOB DESCRIPTION Network Engineer- Operational Technology (OT) Engineering Department Location: Norwalk, CT King Industries, Inc. is actively seeking to hire a skilled Network Engineer to join our team in the chemical industry, focusing on Operational Technology (OT) environments. The ideal candidate should have a BS in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT) or related field, as well as have a strong background in networking and industrial control systems. You will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust network solutions that ensure the security and efficiency of our operations. Skills Required: Regular and consistent attendance at our Norwalk location is required. Excellent verbal/ written communication & teamwork abilities. High level of competence in the use of PC/ Servers for business and technical applications. Excellent organization skills, persistence, good judgment, and attention to detail. Knowledge and mechanical ability to design and troubleshoot networking and routing issues at a chemical facility. Knowledge of Process Historians and report generation based on data collection. Education and Experience Requirements: BS in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT), or related field. Proven experience (5years) in network engineering, preferably in an OT manufacturing environment. Experience with VMware ESXI is critical. Strong knowledge of routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP) and VLAN configuration. Familiarity with industrial networking standards (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus). Experience with cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, IEC 62443). Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Duties and Responsibilities: Install, Configure, Manage, and Optimize VMware ESXi hypervisors on physical servers. Deploy VMware ESXi clusters, integrating with vCenter Server for centralized management and monitoring. Configure & optimize ESXi host settings, including networking, storage, and security, for improved performance and reliability. Manage and update ESXi hosts with patch management, firmware upgrades, and hot fixes using VMware Update Manager (VUM). Create & manage virtual machines within the ESXi environment, including configuring CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. Configure VM snapshots and backup solutions, such as DATTO for disaster recovery and business continuity. Use VMware vSphere Client and ESXi command-line interface (CLI) for advanced troubleshooting and host management. Automate common administrative tasks in ESXi using PowerCLI, including VM deployment, configuration, and management. Utilize ESXi logs, vSphere Health Monitoring, and diagnostic tools for troubleshooting and issue resolution. Leverage VMware vSphere API and third-party tools to integrate ESXi with other enterprise systems for improved automation. Engage in root cause analysis for incidents, identifying and implementing corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. Network Design & Implementation: Design and deploy network architectures for OT environments, including routing protocols, VLANs, and subnetting. Configure and manage network devices (routers, switches, firewalls) to optimize performance and reliability. Replace aged computers and hardware with modern ones – part of a site-wide modernization project. Infrastructure Development Design infrastructure improvements to increase data throughput within the plant. Deploy new infrastructure to help advance capital projects and complete jobs within the plant. Understand the connections between the process buildings and how the associated buildings communicate with each other. Cybersecurity: Implement cybersecurity measures to protect OT networks from internal and external threats. Monitor network traffic for anomalies and respond to security incidents. Develop and enforce security policies and procedures in line with industry standards. Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Conduct regular network assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. Troubleshoot and resolve network issues, ensuring minimal downtime in production environments. Collaborate with IT teams to integrate OT and IT networks where applicable. Documentation & Compliance: Maintain detailed documentation of network configurations, processes, and security protocols. Process Historian & Database Programming Maintain the Process Historian and reports that are generated and distributed to personnel for process tracking. Ensure reports are being maintained and up to standard for compliance with environmental regulations and process safety management. Collaboration & Training: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering, and IT, to support network requirements. Provide training and support to personnel on network best practices and cybersecurity awareness.