IT/OT Engineer

About Ekco

Founded in 2016, Ekco has rapidly become one of Europe's fastest-growing cloud service providers and a trusted security-first Managed Service Provider. IT leaders rely on Ekco to enhance operational efficiency, facilitate smarter scaling, and mitigate risks through local expertise and a European-wide presence. The company focuses on advancing cloud maturity by guiding transformation, bolstering security, and optimizing technology investments. Currently, Ekco employs over 1,000 talented professionals across the UK, Ireland, Benelux, South Africa, and Malaysia with continued expansion plans.

Ekco operates on four fundamental principles: ownership and accountability, full collaboration and commitment, building trust-based relationships, and a relentless desire for personal and professional growth. Individuals aligned with these values typically thrive within the company culture.

Role Overview

The IT/OT Engineer will be crucial in sustaining and administering operational technology infrastructure, overseeing virtual machine environments, managing user access, and safeguarding the security and integrity of OT systems. Key functions include user onboarding/offboarding, facilitating secure remote connectivity, ensuring backup and recovery of critical systems, and advancing OT cybersecurity initiatives in compliance with rigorous industry standards and site-specific protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Virtual Machines on controlled hardware platforms.
• Manage user accounts and groups through Identity and Access Management processes.
• Provide remote access solutions for OT environments supporting deployment and maintenance teams.
• Control and audit user and group access to OT resources.
• Implement and monitor backup and recovery measures meeting vendor guidelines.
• Identify and secure GxP data in alignment with regulatory compliance.
• Submit service requests related to network, server, and firewall infrastructure issues.
• Ensure conformity with Global Information Security Risk Management (ISRM) and OT Cybersecurity Standards (OTCS).
• Support OTCS initiatives such as IAM, Dirsync, Tanium, Nozomi, USB Hardening, Application Whitelisting, and Micro-segmentation.
• Authorize and execute site-specific Standard Operating Procedures for OT system management.
• Maintain detailed regulatory-compliant site documentation.
• Collaborate with Quality teams to ensure project and infrastructure compliance via Computer System Validation (CSV) and similar methods.
• Engage in high-risk security remediation planning and execution targeting OT vulnerabilities.
• Deploy secure segmentation protocols across OT networks to restrict lateral threat movement.
• Assist in formulating and enforcing firewall lockdown policies safeguarding OT assets.
• Contribute to development of low-level design documentation and establish ongoing threat monitoring mechanisms.
• Review and update Business Continuity Planning to ensure operational resilience and rapid recovery of OT systems.
• Foster a culture of continuous OT security awareness and training programs across the organization.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience in operational technology and IT support within regulated sectors.
• Possession of a CCNA certification is mandatory.
• Proficient in managing virtual machine infrastructure and understanding of network switch solutions.
• Knowledgeable in OT cybersecurity practices and incident response strategies.
• Skilled in backup and recovery protocols tailored for operational technology.
• Strong documentation capabilities and adherence to compliance requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and teamwork skills.
• Additional certifications such as CISSP or Microsoft qualifications are advantageous.

Preferred Attributes

• Attention to detail with a deep commitment to regulatory standards.
• Ability to operate autonomously and collaboratively within teams.
• Proactive problem-solving attitude applied to support challenges.
• Understanding of GxP data security and internal SOPs.
• Experience handling high-risk security remediations, secure segmentation, firewall management, threat surveillance, and Business Continuity Plan formulation within OT environments.
• Background in designing and delivering operational technology cybersecurity awareness and training initiatives.

Benefits and Perks

• 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays for work-life balance.
• Additional birthday leave providing one day off to celebrate.
• Participation in a company pension scheme for future financial security.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme offering wellbeing support.
• Engagement in EkcOlympics, a global team challenge promoting collaboration and fitness.
• Unlimited Pluralsight subscription encouraging continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Opportunities for career growth and international advancement within the company.

Why Work at Ekco?

• Recognized as Microsoft's 2023 Rising Star Security Partner of the Year.
• First Irish Microsoft MSP to achieve all four Microsoft Security Specializations.
• Ranked as the 4th fastest-growing tech company in the Deloitte Fast50 Awards.
• Culture emphasizing diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging.
• Strong commitment to internal mobility and career development.
• Flexible and family-friendly working environment central to company values.
• Trusted security-first Managed Service Provider chosen by IT leaders for efficient, scalable, and risk-aware solutions.