Operational Technology Network Specialist

MUST BE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN

REQUIRES PUBLIC TRUST / TOP SECRET CLEARANCE PREFERRED

HYBRID - 3 DAYS ONSITE / 2 DAYS REMOTE

LOCATION: BETHESDA, MD (with occasional local travel)

Salary is dependent upon the candidate's skills, experience, education and certifications. 

Salary Range: 

High end of salary range is considered for those who exceed qualifications in one or more required skill areas. 

Soft Tech offers competitive BENEFITS in the areas of: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, PTO, and Paid Holidays

Soft Tech Consulting, Inc. is seeking an Operational Technology (OT) Network Specialist to support one of our government clients. The OT Network Specialist will provide technical expertise and support for the client's Facility Operational Technology Systems (FOTS), including Building Automation Systems (BAS), Fire Alarm Systems, Hospital Automated Courier Systems (HACS), and Animal Facility Environmental Monitoring (AFEM). The role focuses on managing and securing OT networks, ensuring compliance with NIST SP 800-82r3 and SP 800-53 Rev 5 standards, and supporting system availability, integrity, and confidentiality.

• Oversee technical processes to ensure optimal system performance.
• Conduct assessments to identify limitations and implement improvements.
• Develop and implement strategies for operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and government regulations.
• Design, implement, and maintain network infrastructure for OT/ICS systems.
• Support segregated VLANs and air-gapped networks for secure OT operations.
• Coordinate with client's Center for Information Technology (CIT) and Facility Network (FACnet) managers.
• Facilitate network changes, drops, and troubleshooting for ORF/DFOM operations.
• Provide support for Active Directory, DNS, virtualized servers, and network services.
• Configure and optimize routers, switches, and firewalls in OT environments.
• Implement cybersecurity controls and patch vulnerabilities without disrupting operations.
• Monitor network performance and respond to alerts and connectivity issues.
• Maintain hardware/software and ensure secure integration with IT networks.
• Ensure network configurations comply with NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5.
• Ensure OT networks comply with industry standards and federal regulations
• Respond to and mitigate reported security vulnerabilities.
• Develop and maintain Security Assurance Packages for Authority-to-Operate (ATO).
• Support cybersecurity initiatives and vulnerability remediation planning.
• Support vulnerability management and threat modeling for OT systems.
• Maintain secure access controls and intrusion detection mechanisms.
• Maintain accurate inventories of network hardware and software.
• Create and update system and network architecture diagrams.
• Collaborate with system owners and IT support groups.
• Liaise with IT, automation, and engineering teams to align OT and enterprise systems.
• Provide documentation, diagrams, and incident response procedures

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in network engineering or OT/ICS network support.
• Strong understanding of NIST SP 800-82r3 and SP 800-53 Rev 5.
• Experience with VLANs, firewalls, switches, routers, and air-gapped networks.
• Familiarity with BAS platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo CC, Johnson Controls Metasys).
• Proficiency in Active Directory, DNS, virtualization, and patch management.
• Strong documentation and technical writing skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and planning abilities.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and manage vendor relationships.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment.

Preferred:

• Experience in federal or healthcare environments.
• Knowledge of OT systems such as HACS, AFEM, and Fire Alarm Systems.

Soft Tech Consulting, Inc. is a woman and minority-owned small business headquartered in Chantilly, VA. With contracts in both the public and private sectors in the DC metro area and across the country, Soft Tech is an organization made up of highly successful and talented Information Technology professionals offering enterprise class solutions for any size organization at great value. Soft Tech’s mission is to help government organizations design, implement, and maintain mission critical Information Technology solutions. By focusing jointly on our employees and our customers, we are able to achieve our mission by providing each and every one of our customers with continuous quality customer support.   Soft Tech Consulting, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.