OT Security Architect

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.

About the role:

As an OT Security Architect, you will play a leading role in helping secure critical national infrastructure by shaping and enhancing security monitoring, detection and visibility across complex operational technology environments.

Working with some of the UK's most important energy and infrastructure organisations, you'll provide architectural leadership across OT security initiatives, helping clients strengthen cyber resilience while maintaining the safety, reliability and performance of operational systems.

This role combines technical architecture, security assessment and strategic advisory responsibilities. You'll work closely with OT engineers, cyber security specialists, SOC teams and senior stakeholders to assess existing capabilities, define future-state security architectures and deliver practical improvements that enhance detection maturity and operational visibility.

The role offers the opportunity to influence OT security strategy, establish best practice and contribute to the protection of critical industrial environments that underpin essential services.

As an OT Security Architect, you will:

• Design and assess secure OT architectures across Purdue Levels 3–3.5
• Review network segmentation, security controls and monitoring integrations within industrial environments
• Conduct assessments of OT SIEM platforms, logging coverage and detection maturity
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing monitoring and threat detection capabilities
• Identify gaps and develop practical recommendations to improve visibility and security outcomes
• Define OT logging and telemetry strategies, including data sources, collection methods and retention requirements
• Support the implementation of monitoring and detection capabilities across OT environments
• Establish approaches for detection engineering, monitoring governance and continuous improvement
• Ensure solutions align with recognised frameworks including NCSC CAF and IEC 62443
• Support compliance activities, audits and security improvement programmes within critical infrastructure environments
• Collaborate with OT engineers, SOC teams and business stakeholders to ensure solutions are practical and operationally effective
• Develop roadmaps and recommendations that balance security requirements with operational constraints
• Prepare and present technical documentation, reports and architecture outputs

Requirements

We're looking for someone with significant experience in OT cyber security, security architecture and industrial environments, combined with the ability to influence stakeholders and provide technical leadership across complex programmes.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience working within OT security architecture, industrial cyber security or OT consultancy roles
• Strong understanding of the Purdue Model and industrial network segmentation principles
• Experience assessing or implementing SIEM platforms within OT environments
• Knowledge of OT logging, monitoring and detection strategies
• Familiarity with industrial control systems, SCADA environments and OT protocols
• Experience working with security frameworks and standards such as NCSC CAF and IEC 62443
• Experience defining security roadmaps and architecture recommendations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong stakeholder engagement and consultancy skills
• Experience working within critical infrastructure, utilities, energy or industrial sectors

Qualifications & technical experience:

• Relevant degree or equivalent practical experience
• Experience designing or assessing OT security architectures
• Understanding of security monitoring, detection engineering and governance practices
• Knowledge of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) environments
• Utilities, energy or industrial sector experience highly desirable
• Security certifications such as CISSP, GICSP, GRID, SABSA or equivalent are beneficial but not essential

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

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