Operational Technology Engineer / Operational Technology Engineeress

About Holcim

Holcim is a leading partner in sustainable construction, achieving net sales of CHF 15.7 billion in 2025. Our mission is to create value across the built environment, from infrastructure and industry to buildings. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, we employ over 50,000 individuals across 45 countries—including Europe, Latin America, and Asia, as well as the Middle East and Africa. Holcim has been recognized as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute. We provide high-value end-to-end Building Materials and Building Solutions, encompassing everything from foundation and flooring to walling and roofing, powered by premium brands such as ECOPact, ECOPlanet, ECOCycle, and Ytong.

Role Overview

The Operational Technology Engineer is a key role dedicated to the design, deployment, standardization, and governance of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), referred to internally as Technical Information Systems (TIS). This position serves as a vital link between TIS, ICS, and ERP systems, ensuring the integrity, cyber-resilience, and continuous availability of operational data across our global organization. We seek an innovative engineer who will drive automation and digital transformation, delivering high-fidelity data for advanced analytics, IIoT platforms, and optimization tools. The ideal candidate will thrive in a performance-driven culture, demonstrate a strong commitment to operational sustainability, and serve as a catalyst for continuous learning and technology adoption.

Main Responsibilities

• Standardization & Strategy: Collaborate on defining and implementing corporate-wide ICS/TIS standards to ensure global consistency in KPIs, reporting structures, and data architecture across 100+ plants.
• Align OT strategy with corporate guidance and business goals, identifying emerging technology needs and establishing multi-year technical roadmaps.
• Drive innovation and industrial transformation by implementing Plant of Tomorrow (PoT) solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.
• Train and mentor OT plant teams, fostering high-performing operational groups focused on ICS and TIS systems.
• Educate and advise on plant OT-related risks and opportunities.
• Support the product roadmap for new functionalities within the PCS/MES ecosystem.
• Design and maintain robust interfaces between shop floor systems (PCS/DCS), laboratory (LIMS), and business layers (SAP).

Global Deployment & Operations

• Support the full lifecycle of ICS/MES deployments, from initial site assessments to post-go-live support and upgrades.
• Ensure the reliability of ICS/TIS environments by coordinating with IT and external vendors.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot industrial data communication protocols and networking standards (e.g., Modbus, OPC UA/DA/HDA).
• Optimize production data streams to enhance overall process efficiency and support decarbonization and sustainability goals.

Data Governance & Security

• Uphold high standards of data quality, integrity, and confidentiality to support Smart Operations and advanced analytics.
• Collaborate with the Cybersecurity team to implement robust measures for protecting OT data systems against cyber threats.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for data architecture and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Leadership & Knowledge Management

• Design and execute global training programs to enhance skills among plant-level PCS, TIS, PIMS, and LIMS champions.
• Manage a centralized corporate knowledge base, including engineering standards and operational manuals.
• Influence senior stakeholders and plant management to ensure support for digital initiatives and technical standards.

Collaboration & Communication

Work cross-functionally with Maintenance, Process/Production, Quality Control, Corporate IT, and PM&E to ensure seamless system integration and alignment.

Your Profile

• Education: MS or PhD in Electrical, Electronic, or Automation Engineering is preferred. ISA/IEC 62443 OT cybersecurity certificate is a plus.
• Experience:
  • 3 years of experience as a plant automation/systems engineer in the process industry.
  • 3 years in managing industrial data systems (Historians, MES) and industrial networking.
  • 3 years of experience in cement (advantageous).
• Technical Skills: Deep understanding of OT systems in the process industry, including industrial control systems, SCADA, DCS, PLCs, and MES.
• Keen knowledge of OT security threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies, familiar with security frameworks like IEC 62443.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, and OPC UA.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and IoT technologies relevant to industrial environments, as well as programming skills in JavaScript and prototyping languages like Python.
• In-depth understanding of continuous cement manufacturing processes, instrumentation, and sensor technologies.

Language Skills

• English: Technical fluency is critical.
• Additional languages: Spanish, German, and French are advantageous.

Mobility Requirements

30% international travel required.

Benefits

• Hybrid Work Contract: Flexible working arrangements.
• Family Support: Subsidized child care and paid maternity/paternity leave.
• Professional Growth: Access to company-sponsored training and professional development.
• Discounts and Perks: Subsidized meals, exclusive discounts, and company gifts for special occasions.
• Long-Service Awards: Recognition for tenure.
• Employee Referral Bonus: Incentives for referrals.
• Pension and Savings: Access to a comprehensive pension fund and employee savings scheme.

Commitment to Diversity

Holcim is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We support equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexuality, disability, or age.

Important Notice

Holcim recruiters only contact candidates via official recruitment@holcim.com email addresses. We do not use Gmail or other non-Holcim domains to conduct recruitment processes. Please verify the sender’s address before responding.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.