Position Name: Engineer / Sr. Engineer Industrial Network Specialist – Central Maintenance (Utilities – E&I;)

Department: Central Maintenance

Sub-Department: Utilities – Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I;)

Reporting To: Manager – Central Maintenance (Utilities – E&I;)

Role Objective:

To ensure the reliable, secure, and efficient operation and maintenance of Industrial Network Infrastructure supporting automation, process control, and utility operations across the iron and steel plant. The role is responsible for maintaining high availability of Industrial Ethernet, OT (Operational Technology) networks, communication systems, industrial cybersecurity, and connectivity between PLC, DCS, SCADA, instrumentation, and field devices to support uninterrupted plant operations.

Role Responsibilities:

- Plan, supervise, and execute preventive, predictive, corrective, and breakdown maintenance of Industrial Network Infrastructure supporting utility and process automation systems.
- Ensure high availability and reliability of OT (Operational Technology) network infrastructure connecting PLCs, DCS, SCADA, HMIs, historians, engineering workstations, servers, Remote I/O systems, drives, analyzers, and field instrumentation.
- Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Industrial Ethernet switches, managed switches, routers, firewalls, wireless industrial communication systems, media converters, serial communication gateways, protocol converters, and fiber optic networks.
- Maintain industrial communication protocols including Profinet, Profibus, Modbus RTU/TCP, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, OPC DA, Foundation Fieldbus, HART, CAN, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, and other industrial communication systems.
- Monitor network performance, bandwidth utilization, latency, redundancy health, communication diagnostics, and device availability to ensure uninterrupted automation system performance.
- Diagnose and resolve communication failures between PLCs, DCS, SCADA, VFDs, MCCs, analyzers, field instruments, and process control equipment.
- Configure VLANs, managed switch settings, network segmentation, ring redundancy protocols, industrial Wi-Fi, and secure remote access solutions for industrial automation systems.
- Support commissioning, integration, and startup of automation projects involving industrial communication and networking infrastructure.
- Maintain network architecture drawings, IP addressing schemes, communication matrices, cable schedules, network topology documentation, and configuration backups.
- Implement network backup, disaster recovery, redundancy verification, and configuration management procedures for critical automation infrastructure.
- Coordinate firmware updates, network device replacements, configuration management, and preventive maintenance activities with minimal disruption to plant operations.
- Support Industrial IoT (IIoT), Edge Computing, OPC connectivity, historian integration, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and digital transformation initiatives.
- Implement industrial cybersecurity best practices including network segmentation, firewall management, endpoint protection, secure authentication, user access management, patch management, and backup verification in coordination with IT and Cybersecurity teams.
- Perform periodic health checks of industrial servers, network switches, fiber optic links, communication modules, and network devices.




- Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for recurring communication failures and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve network reliability.
- Coordinate with Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation, IT, Operations, OEMs, system integrators, and contractors for troubleshooting, modernization, shutdowns, and expansion projects.
- Ensure availability of critical network spares including switches, SFP modules, fiber optic accessories, communication cards, network cables, industrial routers, and power supplies.
- Monitor network KPIs including network uptime, communication availability, redundancy performance, fault response time, cybersecurity compliance, and maintenance effectiveness.
- Ensure compliance with PTW (Permit to Work), LOTO (Lockout-Tagout), electrical safety procedures, industrial cybersecurity policies, and statutory safety requirements during maintenance activities.
- Prepare technical reports, network audit reports, cybersecurity assessment reports, maintenance documentation, and management presentations.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers, technicians, and contractors on industrial networking technologies, communication troubleshooting, and OT cybersecurity.
- Responsible for fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment, free from all forms of harassment and discrimination.
- ISO (9001, 14001, 45001 & 50001):
- Customer Focus: Ensure reliable and secure industrial communication networks to support uninterrupted utility operations, automation systems, and stable production processes.
- Process Effectiveness: Improve network reliability, communication availability, system redundancy, and automation performance through effective maintenance, standardized network architecture, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- OH&S; Contribution: Ensure compliance with electrical safety procedures, PTW, LOTO, cybersecurity policies, hazard identification, emergency response procedures, and safe work practices during maintenance and commissioning activities.
- Environmental Responsibility: Support environmental monitoring systems and utility automation networks that enable reliable operation of emission monitoring, water treatment, gas handling, and environmental compliance systems.
- Energy Performance: Ensure reliable communication infrastructure supporting Energy Management Systems (EMS), utility monitoring, process optimization, and energy conservation initiatives in line with ISO 50001 requirements.
- Ensure compliance with SA8000 requirements and promote ethical labor practices, workplace safety, and employee welfare within the assigned area of responsibility.

Competencies:

- Strong technical knowledge of Industrial Ethernet, OT networking, and industrial communication systems.
- Expertise in industrial network design, configuration, troubleshooting, redundancy, and performance optimization.
- Solid understanding of PLC, DCS, SCADA, process automation, and instrumentation communication architectures.




- Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity principles, ISA/IEC 62443 concepts, network segmentation, and secure remote access.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills using Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and reliability engineering techniques.
- Effective planning, coordination, documentation, and vendor management capabilities.
- Commitment to operational reliability, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.

Key Skills:

- Industrial Ethernet and Fiber Optic Communication Networks
- Managed Industrial Switches, Routers, Firewalls, Wireless Industrial Networks
- Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, Modbus RTU/TCP, OPC UA, Foundation Fieldbus, HART, EtherCAT, CAN, DeviceNet
- Industrial Network Design, VLANs, Ring Redundancy, RSTP/MRP, and Network Segmentation
- PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI, Historian, and Remote I/O Communication Integration
- Industrial Servers, Virtualization, Backup, Disaster Recovery, and Redundancy Management
- Industrial Cybersecurity, User Access Control, Patch Management, Endpoint Protection, and Firewall Administration
- Industrial IoT (IIoT), Edge Computing, OPC Integration, and Manufacturing Connectivity
- Network Monitoring, Diagnostics, Configuration Management, and Performance Optimization
- CMMS/SAP Maintenance Management and Technical Documentation
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA), FMEA, and Reliability Improvement
- Electrical Safety, OT Network Compliance, and Statutory Regulations

Abilities:

- Lead troubleshooting of critical industrial communication failures affecting production and utility systems.
- Design, configure, and optimize secure industrial network architectures for automation systems.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary activities involving automation, instrumentation, electrical, IT, and operations teams.
- Manage network modernization, migration, redundancy enhancement, and digital transformation projects.
- Analyze complex network performance issues and implement long-term reliability improvements.
- Mentor engineers and technicians on industrial networking, communication protocols, and OT cybersecurity best practices.
- Adapt to emerging technologies including TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking), software-defined industrial networking, IIoT platforms, cloud-connected manufacturing, AI-based network monitoring, and predictive diagnostics.

Knowledge:

- Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech in Electrical, Electronics, Electronics & Communication, Instrumentation, Computer Science, Information Technology, Automation, or equivalent Engineering discipline.
- Minimum 2 - 7 years of experience in Industrial Networking, OT Infrastructure, Process Automation, or Industrial Communication Systems within an integrated Iron & Steel Plant or other continuous process industries.
- Strong knowledge of Industrial Ethernet, automation communication protocols, PLC/DCS networking, fiber optic systems, industrial cybersecurity, and network redundancy concepts.
- Experience with industrial networking platforms and automation solutions from major OEMs such as Siemens, Rockwell Automation, Cisco Industrial, Hirschmann, Moxa, ABB, Schneider Electric, Honeywell, Yokogawa, Phoenix Contact, Belden, or equivalent.
- Knowledge of ISA/IEC 62443 industrial cybersecurity principles, Indian Electricity Rules, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, and industrial networking best practices.

📌 Senior Engineer /Engineer (Industrial Network Specialist) (Chandrapur)
🏢 Lloyds Metals & Energy
📍 Chandrapur