OT Engineer – Controls & Automation

Sword Group

OT Controls Engineer at Sword shaping and delivering secure and scalable control system solutions. Developing standardised engineering policies and collaborating on cyber security for energy infrastructure.

Posted 5/15/2026full-timeGlasgow • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop, review and maintain engineering standards for substation control systems, including RTUs, telecontrol and automation equipment
Produce detailed technical specifications for control system components and ensure alignment with operational and regulatory requirements
Design and implement structured test plans to validate equipment against defined specifications
Carry out technical evaluation and assurance of vendor solutions prior to approval for deployment
Develop, configure and test standardised RTU builds and control system configurations to ensure repeatability across sites
Produce engineering schematics, control cabinet layouts and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD
Support the development of standardised substation control system designs and architectures
Work with industrial communication protocols including DNP3 (essential) and IEC 61850 (desirable)
Contribute to the implementation of secure-by-design principles within OT environments, including segmentation, access control and system hardening
Collaborate with engineering, cyber security and operational teams to ensure solutions are practical, deployable and aligned to standards
Support the wider digitisation of control systems, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable and future-ready

Requirements

What you’ll need

Experience working within operational technology or control system environments, ideally within utilities, energy or industrial infrastructure
Strong experience designing, configuring or commissioning substation control systems, telecontrol or automation equipment
Hands-on experience configuring RTUs (e.g. Schneider, Hitachi/ABB, ZIV, SEL or equivalent platforms)
Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols, particularly DNP3 (essential)
Familiarity with IEC 61850 (desirable)
Knowledge of electricity distribution networks and associated engineering standards, codes and regulatory frameworks (highly desirable)
Experience producing engineering drawings and schematics using AutoCAD
Understanding of substation protection and control schemes (desirable)
Awareness of OT cyber security principles and the ability to apply secure configuration and network segmentation practices
Strong analytical, problem-solving and documentation skills
Ability to communicate effectively with both technical specialists and wider stakeholders
**Desirable Certifications & Skills**
Degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or a related discipline
Familiarity with OT cyber security frameworks such as IEC 62443
Industry certifications such as CCNA, CompTIA Security+, or vendor-specific RTU / SCADA certifications

Benefits

Comp & perks

Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more….
At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.
If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.
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Hard Skills & Tools

substation control systemsRTUstelecontrolautomation equipmentengineering schematicscontrol cabinet layoutswiring diagramsindustrial communication protocolsDNP3IEC 61850

Soft Skills

analytical skillsproblem-solving skillsdocumentation skillseffective communication

Certifications

Degree in Electrical EngineeringDegree in Control SystemsCCNACompTIA Security+IEC 62443