IT Factory Network Engineer

A Boise-based co-op with 125 years of history, this company is the second-largest beet sugar manufacturer in the U.S. They operate facilities in Nampa, Twin Falls, and Mini-Cassia, ID, producing white sugar, brown sugar, and molasses. With 1,700 employees, including 100 at HQ, their operations span from farming to processing, supported by a diverse team of farmers, engineers, scientists, and IT professionals. They’re also exploring innovative uses for byproducts, like turning processing remnants into road de-icer. Sales are managed through their National Sugar Marketing Cooperative.
 

JOB PURPOSE 

In collaboration with factory engineering, plan and implement systems and network platforms to enable factory process control. Responsible for installing, supporting and maintaining Network hardware and software technologies for OT process controls and corporate network infrastructure. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Manufacturing background. 

• Proven experience, knowledge, and understanding of the Factory processes and equipment in a manufacturing environment to effectively supervise the operations and maintenance of the controls network. 

• 3-5 years’ experience with IT and OT networks, software, hardware, firmware and IP configuration/routing. 

• Ability to set up a firewall and switch for both IT and OT networks. 

• Ability to understand how IT and OT networks function and be able to make recommendations to improve it. 

• Inventory management. 

• Background in Fiber (ethernet networks and how they function). 

• Considerable knowledge of cabling needs for Plant Network communications. 

• Ability to read and understand schematics, diagrams, blueprints, and instructions 

• Technologies: 

• Fortinet products – IT side. Client will consider candidates with experience with different networking brands, but they would need experience with Cisco style configurations.  

• Cisco switches. 

• Rockwell Hardware for automation – OT side. 

• Delta V – OT side.  

• Required if less than 5 years’ experience: Technical degree – Bachelors preferred in Computer Science or Information Technology Management  

• Preferred: CCNA 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license before employment and maintain licensure for the duration of employment in this position. 

 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND INFLUENCE 

• Perform controls network installation, configuration, support, troubleshooting and problem diagnosis. 

• Coordinate with the IT department to ensure proper protocols, policies, and security as it relates to controls networks. 

• Manage network documentation, and equipment and spares inventory. 

• Maintain technical knowledge and skills related to controls system architecture, network design, troubleshooting, etc. 

• Manage data records and file systems including PARCview and related systems in coordination with corporate IT. 

• Collaborate with corporate IT regarding data management and transport between plant and corporate systems. 

• Manage problem resolution of plant network incidents to include, as needed, working with engineering, corporate IT and contracted Network Support vendors. 

• Recommend technology solutions and improvements for installation and support procedures. 

• Design/document disaster recovery procedures for use in case of emergency. 

• Provide guidance/direction to instrument and controls technicians in providing network data cabling and systems support for factory operations 

• Responsible for managing budget for assigned factory IT maintenance accounts. 

• Plans and directs work related to controls network management and support. 

• Coordinates with management in identifying and solving network and server problems within factory operations.