AbbVie is seeking a Senior OT Security Engineer to support Manufacturing and Research Technology initiatives by embedding cybersecurity best practices across Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) environments. In this role, you will help design, assess, harden, and support OT systems and their subsystems through strong knowledge of OT/ICS technologies, industrial control environments, and plant systems.
You will apply secure-by-design principles to improve reliability, resilience, and cybersecurity across manufacturing and research operations. You will identify and implement OT security capabilities, controls, and practices that reduce risk, strengthen visibility, and support secure operations. As a technical lead in OT cybersecurity, you will evaluate emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies, and incorporate appropriate security controls into OT solutions and operational processes.
This role is focused on Operational Technology cybersecurity and supports AbbVie’s Manufacturing and Research Technology initiatives by driving enterprise-wide OT security improvements.
Responsibilities
- Conceive, design, engineer, and implement OT security solutions by studying operational requirements, collaborating with users and technical teams, reviewing system and network flows, and investigating problem areas.
- Resolve key project challenges and assumptions by using available information, technical expertise, and OT cybersecurity principles.
- Provide comprehensive consultation to business unit and IT management and staff on OT security practices, industrial control environments, network architectures, and supporting technologies across diverse computing environments.
- Demonstrate understanding of the pharmaceutical business and apply that knowledge to develop agile, impactful, and cost-effective solutions that support secure, reliable, and resilient OT environments.
- Work with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining awareness of cybersecurity, system reliability, operational continuity, and risk considerations.
- Research and evaluate alternative solutions and recommend the most efficient and cost-effective OT security solution.
- Configure, adapt, or integrate existing technologies and purchased solutions to support secure operations, monitoring, and risk reduction.
- Build and maintain relationships with affiliates, subsidiaries, vendors, and industry peers in alignment with AbbVie Values, Vendor Management Office, and Purchasing requirements.
- Mentor and/or supervise team members as needed and support performance management, including adherence to security and operational standards.
- Understand and adhere to corporate standards, including applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies, code of conduct, safety, GxP compliance, data security, and secure development and operational practices.
OT Cybersecurity Responsibilities
- Support OT security aspects of AbbVie’s Manufacturing and Research Technology initiatives through architecture, engineering, design, implementation, deployment, and operational transition of secure technology solutions.
- Lead OT cybersecurity and secure-by-design assessments, including detailed design reviews, network topology reviews, and mapping of data flows to ports, protocols, and services.
- Contribute to OT/ICS cybersecurity guardrails to ensure OT architectures, solutions, and technologies are designed and implemented using secure-by-design methodology.
- Utilize industry standards and frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-82, and ISA/IEC 62443 to identify security capabilities and technologies that strengthen OT defenses.
- Support cybersecurity risk assessments to determine system criticality, exposure, and risk gaps.
- Provide recommendations and mitigation plans for issues identified through OT/ICS cybersecurity reviews, risk assessments, and vulnerability assessments.
- Provide subject matter leadership during cyber incidents, including response, containment, and remediation.
- Some travel, up to 20%, may be required.
- Demonstrated understanding of OT/ICS environments in pharmaceutical or similar regulated industries, including threats, vulnerabilities, attack paths, and exploitation techniques relevant to OT/ICS systems.
- Proficiency in OT/ICS network design and the creation of network architecture drawings.
- Demonstrated ability to influence others, work effectively, and communicate clearly at all levels with operations, engineering, projects, vendors, and peers.
- Knowledge of techniques and tools that support effective analysis, root cause identification, and issue resolution.
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively both orally and in writing.
- Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of experience, Master’s degree with 6 years of experience, or PhD with 2 years of experience in related technical work.
- In-depth knowledge of the systems development life cycle and technical solution alternatives.
- Proven implementation of creative technology solutions that advanced the business.
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills.
Preferred
- Familiarity with cloud and OT/ICS integration.
- Work experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Experience in regulated environments supporting manufacturing or research operations.
Some travel, up to 20%, may be required.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
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