Position Summary
Mekdam Holding Group is seeking an experienced, highly technical, and accomplished OT Control Systems Cybersecurity Engineer with 6 to 10 years of control systems engineering and cybersecurity experience to join our client engagement team on a full-time, permanent basis in Qatar (preferably within Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, or industrial automation environments). In this specialized control systems security role, you will spearhead designing secure control logic, integrating safety systems security, configuring industrial network switches, and hardening programmable electronic systems. You will work closely with lead automation engineers, safety instrumented system specialists, and cybersecurity architects to ensure flawless process control defense. Ideal candidates bring a robust academic degree in automation or electrical engineering, deep practical mastery of control systems, and immediate availability for deployment in Qatar.
Detailed Job Description
As an OT Control Systems Cybersecurity Engineer at Mekdam Holding Group in Qatar, you will take full ownership of securing control system hardware, validating safety instrumented system (SIS) network isolation, and enforcing secure engineering workstation access. Your day-to-day responsibilities encompass configuring managed industrial Ethernet switches, implementing VLAN segmentation between safety and basic process control systems (BPCS), auditing PLC and DCS controller code for logic integrity, and supporting factory acceptance tests (FAT) with cybersecurity verification. You will collaborate with cross-functional automation squads to resolve control network vulnerabilities. Working in a fast-paced industrial environment in Qatar, you will drive secure control systems engineering.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, configure, and secure control system networks, industrial switches, routers, and firewalls.
- Enforce strict network isolation and cybersecurity boundaries between Basic Process Control Systems (BPCS) and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS).
- Audit PLC, DCS, and RTU controller configurations, firmware versions, and logic files for security flaws and unauthorized modifications.
- Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) with rigorous cybersecurity verification.
- Configure secure industrial wireless networks, serial communication gateways, and fieldbus security mechanisms.
- Collaborate proactively with lead control systems engineers, instrumentation specialists, and automation vendors.
- Implement secure backup and recovery mechanisms for all industrial controller programming software and project files.
- Maintain comprehensive control system inventory databases, firmware version logs, and network topology schematics.
- Ensure compliance with functional safety and industrial cybersecurity standards (IEC 61508, IEC 62443).
- Provide tier-2 and tier-3 technical escalation support for control network integration and security anomalies.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Automation & Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Control Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 6 to 10 years of professional working experience in control systems engineering, industrial automation, and OT cybersecurity within Oil & Gas or Petrochemical sectors.
- Strong technical proficiency and hands on operational mastery of PLC, DCS, SIS, and industrial networking hardware.
- Solid understanding of industrial communication protocols, network VLAN segmentation, and firewall configuration.
- Proven experience integrating cybersecurity controls into industrial control system lifecycles (FAT/SAT).
- Strong analytical problem solving capabilities and clear technical communication skills.
- Professional availability for full-time employment in Qatar (Application email: ).
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Professional certifications such as GICSP, Certified Functional Safety Expert (CFSE), or ISA/IEC 62443 Specialist.
- Hands on experience with major DCS/PLC platforms (Yokogawa CENTUM, Emerson DeltaV, ABB 800xA, Honeywell Experion).
- Prior working experience in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms or major oil & gas operating companies in the GCC.
- Advanced knowledge of industrial network diagnostics (Wireshark, protocol analyzers).
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Arabic.
Application Information
- Recruiter: Mekdam Holding Group Talent Acquisition
- Contact Name: Sitikantha (Recruitment Manager)
- Salary/Rate: Competitive and commensurate with experience
- Deadline: Open until filled
- Notice Period: Immediate to short notice preferred
- Contract Duration: Permanent / Full-Time (Qatar)
Recruitment Pro Tip
When applying for control systems cybersecurity roles, ensure your resume explicitly highlights your DCS/PLC platform expertise, BPCS to SIS network separation experience, and FAT/SAT security verification background.