Automation & Operations Technology Engineer

Automation & Operations Technology Engineer

• Location: United States, Canada
• Minster, Boucherville
• On-site
• Permanent Full-Time
• Posted: 2 Apr 2025

The Automation & Operations Technology Engineer will be the single point of contact for Operational Technology Cybersecurity strategy, improvement, maintenance and will also act as a liaison between plant operations and regional and global IT and Cybersecurity teams. This position will be responsible for Danone plants in Minster, Ohio and Boucherville, Quebec.

Primary responsibilities include using cybersecurity tools (Claroty, Hackuity, Qualys, Firewalls, Beyond Trust, Factory Talk Security) for threat mitigation, vulnerability management, alert monitoring, preventing unauthorized access, and remote access management to maximize the availability of industrial automation systems (Hardware, Network, SCADA Software, Database, Integration of new components and solutions).

You will collaborate with operations and engineering teams on corporate and plant initiatives, ensuring all cybersecurity policies are followed. This role will also support automation improvement projects, actively participate in patching campaigns during planned shutdowns, and assist in recovery efforts during outages caused by cybersecurity incidents.

Candidate must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs, have stamina and endurance (e.g., standing, sitting, walking, etc.) to occasionally work long hours, willingness to travel stateside & abroad, and availability to be on-call & work flexible hours (e.g., weekends, off shifts, holidays during special projects implementation).

Job Responsibilities:

• Enforce Danone Global OT cybersecurity policies and standards
• Daily health check on all OT systems
• Continuous improvement of Cybersecurity KPIs (Vulnerability, Cybersecurity alerts, Backup systems management, PLC Security)
• Formal monthly reporting of Cybersecurity KPIs to plant directors, automation director, and regional security officer
• Report high priority incidents related to cybersecurity to automation director and regional cybersecurity team
• Manage industrial legacy system migration related to obsolete operating systems, databases, and automation software
• Industrial Automation Asset Management and data contextualization using Claroty xDome
• Management of vendor remote access to OT systems
• Management of vendor onsite wireless access to OT systems
• Participate in Cybersecurity audits and maintain audit reports
• Continuous improvement of industrial automation systems
• Maintain and update industrial automation architecture drawings and network monitoring software (HiVision, PRTG)
• Industrial automation hardware life cycle management (obsolescence)
• Organize Windows patch installation in industrial automation servers and workstations with the Americas server infrastructure team
• Master plan development for industrial networking and industrial applications roadmap
• Share knowledge and learnings through Danone North America networking
• Enforce Danone North America automation standards and specifications as part of plant initiatives and projects
• Facilitate meetings with the regional IT teams regarding continuous improvement of system performance, reliability, and obsolescence
• This role is on-site in West Jordan, UT, with support for Portland, OR, and Eugene, OR plants requiring monthly travel (estimated travel ~30% - 40%), to be managed by the candidate based on business needs
• Occasional travel required for training or plant projects

About You

• Experience and working knowledge in:
• OT Cybersecurity program management
• Industrial networking and communication protocols (OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, IO Link, AS-i)
• Rockwell/Siemens/Schneider PLC programming
• Basic electrical knowledge and comfort working with 24VDC, 120VAC, and 480VAC control systems and their associated components
• AutoCAD and Microsoft Visio
• Familiarity with the following SCADA or HMI systems is a plus:
• Ignition
• Wonderware
• Factory Talk View SE/ME
• Familiarity with programming languages and SQL programming is a plus
• Microsoft Office suite and Microsoft server environments
• Must be self-directed and able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Must be organized and self-disciplined to manage concurrent projects
• Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Experience in IT and OT network segregation using Purdue model
• Fast learner, open to learning new things (attending training & certification related to the role as needed) and adapts to change
• ISA/IES 62443 or any other Cybersecurity Certification is a plus
• Must speak English. Ability to speak French strongly preferred.

Experience Requirement:

• 5+ years of job experience in automation and operations technology

Educational Requirement:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing related to automation and operations technologies OR a minimum of 10 years of experience in food manufacturing related to information systems and automation technologies in lieu of a degree.

About Danone

At Danone North America, you’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, Two Good, Oikos, evian, and Happy Family. You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working together to ensure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America doesn’t just welcome what makes you unique; we value it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic, or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect.

Dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, we are a leading global food & beverage company built on four businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Medical Nutrition.