Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

📝 Job Summary

We’re seeking a hands-on, tech-savvy individual to join our manufacturing engineering team as an entry-level IT/OT Support Engineer. This role supports the deployment and maintenance of digital systems in a production environment, including PC setup, industrial software, and automation interfaces. You’ll work beyond traditional IT boundaries, supporting tools and technologies that directly impact manufacturing operations.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

• Set up, configure, and maintain PCs, thin clients, and industrial HMIs in production and lab environments
• Troubleshoot hardware/software issues on engineering workstations, operator terminals, and embedded systems
• Install and configure LabVIEW applications for data acquisition, test automation, and equipment interfacing
• Support deployment and configuration of Ignition SCADA systems, including gateway setup, tag management, and screen development
• Assist with network diagnostics and cabling in control panels and production lines
• Perform routine software installations, updates, and basic configuration tasks for manufacturing applications under guidance from senior staff
• Maintain cybersecurity hygiene on OT endpoints (patching, antivirus, access control)
• Document system configurations, troubleshooting steps, and support procedures
• Participate in commissioning new equipment and digital tools on the shop floor
• Provide hands-on support during downtime events and root cause investigations

🧠 Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Technology, or related field
• Familiarity with Windows OS, basic networking, and industrial hardware
• Exposure to LabVIEW or Ignition SCADA (academic or internship experience preferred)
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to work in a hands-on environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with technicians, maintenance staff, and IT personnel
• Comfortable working in manufacturing areas (PPE required)

🌱 Growth Opportunities

This role offers exposure to industrial automation, IIoT, and digital manufacturing systems. Ideal for candidates looking to grow into roles such as OT Systems Engineer, Automation Specialist, or MES Developer.

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🧭 IT vs. OT: Clear but Collaborative Boundaries

In a manufacturing environment, Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) serve distinct but increasingly overlapping functions:

Aspect

IT (Information Technology)

OT (Operational Technology)

Primary Focus

Business systems, enterprise software, data security

Industrial systems, automation, control, real-time ops

Typical Assets

Servers, PCs, cloud platforms, ERP, email

PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, sensors, robotics, MES

Priorities

Confidentiality, integrity, availability

Safety, uptime, deterministic control

Change Cycle

Structured, scheduled updates

Conservative, uptime-sensitive changes

Support Teams

Corporate IT helpdesk, infrastructure teams

Engineering, maintenance, automation teams

🔄 The Role of a Manufacturing IT/OT Support Engineer

This position sits at the intersection of IT and OT, with responsibilities that touch both domains:

• Elevated Account Access: The employee may have admin or elevated privileges on engineering PCs, SCADA systems, and OT endpoints — allowing them to install software, configure networks, and troubleshoot issues that standard IT accounts cannot.
• Beyond IT Scope: Tasks like configuring LabVIEW, deploying Ignition SCADA, or troubleshooting PLC-to-PC communication are typically outside the scope of traditional IT and fall under OT or engineering support.
• Hands-On in Production: Unlike IT staff who rarely enter manufacturing zones, this role requires physical presence on the shop floor — working with control panels, sensors, and industrial PCs.

🧩 Dotted-Line Reporting Explained

In this setup, the employee has dual accountability:

• Primary Reporting Line: Reports directly to Manufacturing Engineering — receives day-to-day tasks, priorities, and performance reviews from this team.
• Dotted-Line to IT: Works closely with Local IT for:
  • Network access and security compliance
  • Account provisioning and elevated permissions
  • Coordination on shared infrastructure (e.g., firewalls, domain policies)
  • Escalation of issues that cross into enterprise systems

This structure ensures the employee can act autonomously in OT environments while staying aligned with IT governance and cybersecurity standards.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.