Danone Specialized Nutrition is launching a major greenfield investment to build a next‑generation liquid nutrition facility, incorporating advanced connected manufacturing systems, digital technologies, and secure IT/OT integration.

Reporting to the IT/OT Lead – Automation, the IT/OT Engineer – Network & Architecture is responsible for delivering the technical design, implementation, commissioning, and documentation of all IT and OT network infrastructure supporting the new plant. This includes site network architecture, segmentation, DMZ layers, firewalling, server/virtualization environments, industrial Ethernet, and secure connectivity between PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, MES, and business systems.

You will act as the technical owner of network and architectural decisions during project execution, ensuring all systems are delivered safely, on time, and in full, meeting Danone’s global IT/OT, cybersecurity, and engineering standards.
Your expertise will be essential to ensuring the facility is operationally ready, cyber‑secure, and scalable for future digitalization as the site moves toward start‑up.

As part of the plant project team, you will play an important role in technical execution, commissioning readiness, documentation, and troubleshooting during start‑up. This role provides an excellent pathway for internal development into broader engineering, IT/OT or operations leadership positions within Danone.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Technical Ownership – Network & Architecture

• Act as the technical SME for IT/OT network infrastructure, including LAN/WAN, Wi-Fi, industrial Ethernet, VLANs, segmentation, DMZ, and firewall architecture.
• Define and validate the IT/OT network topology supporting PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, MES, historians, and business systems.
• Ensure alignment to Danone global IT/OT standards and cybersecurity requirements.

2. Project Execution & Commissioning

• Lead the installation, configuration, integration, and commissioning of network components and server/virtualization environments.
• Conduct FAT/SAT for network equipment, cybersecurity controls, and OT system connectivity.
• Troubleshoot network and IT/OT connectivity issues during construction, commissioning, and start‑up.

3. Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Implement cybersecurity controls across IT/OT systems, including segmentation, access control, hardening, patching, backup/restore, and secure remote access.
• Support cybersecurity assessments, remediation plans, and compliance documentation.
• Maintain audit‑ready technical records for all network and OT infrastructure.

4. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Automation, Engineering, Operations, Quality, R&I, EHS, and Supply Chain to ensure network readiness for commissioning and start‑up.
• Act as the primary technical interface for network‑related topics with EPCM partners, integrators, Global/Regional IT/OT, and automation/MES vendors.

5. Infrastructure Delivery & Support

• Support deployment of virtual machines, storage, domain integration, user profiles, and IT/OT monitoring tools.
• Ensure stable and secure connectivity for control systems, SCADA/MES, historian, and digital quality solutions.
• Provide hands‑on technical support during system bring‑up, line trials, and early operations.

6. Documentation & Standards

• Develop and maintain network documentation: architecture diagrams, IP schemas, firewall rulebooks, switch configurations, OT device registers, and validation protocols.
• Ensure EPCM and vendors deliver all required documentation for commissioning and operations handover.

7. Operational Readiness & Handover

• Support creation of IT/OT SOPs, troubleshooting guides, backup/restore procedures, PM plans, and CMMS master data.
• Ensure all infrastructure is validated, backed up, and documented prior to handover to Operations/IT.

8. Reporting & Decision Support

• Provide status reporting on network and IT/OT readiness, risks, and open issues to the IT/OT Lead – Automation and project leadership.
• Offer technical insights to support design, commissioning, and operational decisions.

Education and  Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Automation/Control Engineering, Electronic/Network Engineering, or related field.

• 3+ years of experience in IT/OT, network engineering, or industrial systems integration.

   

• Experience in manufacturing, FMCG, dairy, pharmaceutical, or food environments preferred.

   

• Exposure to IT/OT network design, industrial Ethernet, cybersecurity, and automation system connectivity.

• Experience collaborating with EPCM, automation vendors, and cross‑functional engineering teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Interpersonal: 

• Effective communication with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, IT, and vendor teams
• Strong problem‑solving skills, especially under commissioning/start‑up pressure
• Strong relationship‑building with internal and external partners
• Commitment to safety, quality, and cybersecurity culture

Technical: 

• Strong understanding of IT & OT networks (LAN, VLANs, Wi‑Fi, industrial Ethernet).
• Experience with Cisco, Fortinet, HP, Stratix switches, firewalls, and network tools.
• Familiarity with PLC, SCADA, HMI systems and OT connectivity requirements.
• Knowledge of IT/OT convergence, integrating business systems with automation layers.
• Understanding of cybersecurity (segmentation, patching, access control, secure remote access).
• Experience with virtual servers/VMs (VMware/Hyper‑V/Nutanix), backups, and resilience.
• Ability to interpret network diagrams, specifications, and infrastructure documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting across IT/OT connectivity, SCADA/MES links, and device networks.
• Familiarity with project execution processes (FAT/SAT, commissioning, documentation).

Danone is a large, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company with market leading brands across four divisions: Essential Dairy and Plant Based Products, Waters, Specialised Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Specialised Nutrition offers nutritional solutions with the shared goal of improving the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, from the first day of pregnancy into old age. We are looking for high calibre, dedicated and experienced personnel to complement our existing workforce.

At Danone we are passionate in our commitment to sustainability with the belief in building a healthier future through food. Our eating and drinking choices have an impact on our own health, the health of our society and the health of our planet. 

Ensuring an inclusive working culture that is accessible to all is important to us. Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 

Please note, owing to the high volume of applications we receive, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.