Manager, Operational Technology

Air Liquide Large Industries provides our customers with industrial gas and energy solutions that are vital to their own industrial production. We own and operate over 2,000 miles of industrial gas pipelines in the U.S. supplying mainly oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and syngas in large quantities from multiple production sources to major customers in the chemicals, petrochemicals, refining and steel industries. Our pipeline operations and industrial gas production facilities are closely monitored 24/7 within our leading-edge operations control center located in Houston, Texas. Our operations control group monitors over 89,000 data points and assists with product supply and coordination. We are constantly optimizing our supply network to provide high reliability and energy efficiencies allowing Air Liquide to adjust supply needs more quickly and effectively enabling growth to our customers.

• Define the LI NAM OT/IT production plant architecture and standards. This architecture and standard shall allow LI NAM to evolve and adapt to current best practices in industry while responding to LI NAM business needs. Ensure compliance of OT architecture at the production plants with the Group and Hub Standards.

• Act as OPC (OT Cybersecurity Protection Coordinator) for the LI NAM coordinating OT Governance teams and the LI NAM Plant resources in deploying and supporting OT Cybersecurity processes/systems.

• Act as design authority and MOC accessor for the LI NAM OT Cybersecurity strategic programs (e.g. Integrated Patch Management, Asset Discovery, Backup and Restore)

• Act as technical lead for the LI NAM Nutanix virtualization program for control system applications. This includes defining the physical system, redundancy level and architecture required for each supported control system platform. Manage the virtualization platform design documentation. Ensure that POC testing is defined, documented and executed for significant version upgrades for supported control systems prior to implementation in the field.

• Contribute to the development of Group Technical Standards in the OT domain (e.g., GT-PR-COM-013) and be responsible to develop gap analysis and strategy for deployment within LI NAM.

• Coordinate with the network of LI NAM LOPCs (Local OT Protection Coordinators) to support the deployment of OT improvement programs. Develop SOP templates for OT requirements at sites and support LOPCs in development of site specific SOPs.

• Deploy a tracking and assessment system for all OT equipment located at LI NAM sites allowing for continuous updates of current information.

• Support OT improvement programs beyond those defined by the AL Group to increase the reliability and obtain the flexibility to comply with the LI NAM strategy. Included is support of the funding requests through LI NAM Industrial Direction's Strategic Programs department.

• Participate in the OT domain new technology/program definition to ensure a cost effective interaction with the equipment installed or identify the needed modifications to include them in the budget scope.

• Cooperate with the SIO center to understand their needs and develop a strategy of data communication & control. Contribute to SIO's tools communication and implementation, propose solutions.

• Support the Industrial Direction National Maintenance Controls Systems Manager as well as plant automation specialists to address their needs and improve their related knowledge. (training)

• Support the Process Control Technology department in the Center of Technical Excellence (CTE) to ensure that key OT design and programs are being successfully and consistently applied to control system upgrades, and other critical programs (APC, Autostart, ALRANS, etc..)

• Provide level II support service for LI NAM site OT issues. As required, provides support for equipment troubleshooting and emergency response by phone or in person

• Contribute to the development of the truck loading system for LI-NAM to automate the loading including the communication of information such as volume, quality and billing. Contribute to the new system deployment.

• Participate in the Large Industries Worldwide Industrial Management (LI WIM) OT/IT CoP.

• Benchmark and share best practices across business units ( BUs), the Hub and worldwide.

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, or equivalent Bachelor's degree required

• 10+ years of operational or engineering experience in industrial communications and networking, industrial computer control systems selection and design or equivalent experience.

• Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.

• Advanced level of knowledge of Air Liquide's available Operational/Information technologies installed.

• Master computer systems concepts, including computer networking, network security, system administration, database management, virtualization platforms (Nutanix Preferred) and software programming.

• Knowledge of control logic of a variety of industrial systems (ICSs) (e.g. ABB, DeltaV, Foxboro, Wonderware, Aveva, etc.)

• Agile mindset with ability to adapt to quick changes, and excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills

• Strong project development (scope development) and project management skills

• Strong ability to manage priorities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; strong ability to explain ideas to management - ability to engage and persuade leadership as well as plant leadership

• Strong personnel management skills

• Ability to communicate and document technical knowledge

• Ability to perform under stress and time constraints

• Knowledge of LI NAM operating assets

• Good organization skills and attention to detail.

• Comfortable in both corporate and field environments

• Ability to effectively work within a diverse, international organization

• Advanced skills with Google suite of tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, etc.)

• Available travel and in person support (US and Canada).

Language Skills Required

• Strong communication skills in English. French is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Has full range of motion and ability to lift 20 Kg

• Climbing, and easy/rapid access to all parts of the plant facilities

• Ability to travel as needed, including internationally

• Can be consulted 24/7 by LI leadership team or technical staff if necessary

• Able to wear FRC clothing and other PPE

Our Differences make our Performance

At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.