Job Title:Operational Technology Regional Lead
Location: Coventry
Driving the future of automotive. We’re Lear For You.
Company Overview
Position overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled Operational Technology Regional Lead to join our Advance Manufacturing and Engineering Team within the Lear EU & Africa Seating organization. This role will be responsible for leading the team that will design, implement, and maintain automation systems that monitor and control industrial processes. The successful candidate will have deep expertise in OT areas including network topology, SCADA systems, IIOT platforms and industrial communication protocols.
You will collaborate with Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality, IT, and Compliance teams to deliver applied technologies and Industry 4.0 initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, quality, and productivity. The ideal candidate combines leadership and technical excellence with a passion for innovation and process improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
OT Roadmap
1. Develop the Operational Technology roadmap for the connected factory initiative in the region
2. Lead the planning, execution, and completion of OT projects across the EMEA region, ensuring they meet timelines, budgets, and technical requirements.
3. Assist in building business cases for new ideas and projects, including impact assessment and financial benefits.
4. Document exploration paths, learnings and project progress.
OT Architecture & Design
5. Assess high-level process concept blocks (Value Stream Mapping-like) for each Business Unit from OT and IT perspectives.
6. Define baseline architecture and modular network design for scalability across plants.
7. Align regional OT/IT design with global standards and operational models.
8. Define baseline backbone for machinery connectivity, aligned with Business Segment operational model
OT System Implementation
9. Define requirements for PLCs, SCADA, DCS, MES systems.
10. Define DCS/SCADA Architecture per Business Segment
11. Align OT Topology per selected architecture (depending on business model)
12. Lead PLC and HMI Program Architecture with Controls CoE team to standardize Program Code
13. Map best practices for Robotics Programming Architecture – to define common backbone architecture
14. Lead vendor evaluation and selection.
15. Oversee installation, configuration, and validation of OT systems.
16. Ensure proper documentation and end-user training.
OT Network Management
17. Design and ensure adherence to standard industrial level OT network topologies
18. Ensure alignment with IT around infrastructure hardware for switches, and routers.
19. Monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues.
Cybersecurity
20. Conduct OT risk assessments and software audits with IT
21. Implement and manage Automation Version Control & Lifecycle management
22. Monitor for security incidents and lead incident response.
23. Manage and solve security and visibility incidents in the OT realm
Governance & Compliance
24. Maintain OT compliance with industry standards and regulations (NIS2).
25. Prepare for audits and remediate non-compliance issues.
26. Manage change control processes for OT systems.
Operational Excellence
27. Oversee asset inventory and lifecycle management.
28. Ensure robust backup and disaster recovery plans for OT systems.
29. Drive continuous monitoring and reporting of OT performance.
Leadership & Collaboration
30. Coordinate with IT, operations, and global OT teams.
31. Manage vendor relationships and third-party access.
Key skills and Qualifications:
32. 10+ Years in Manufacturing Automation or OT Leadership
33. Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical field.
34. Industrial manufacturing domain knowledge essential
35. Strong knowledge of ICS, PLCs, SCADA, DCS, MES systems
36. Fluency in English, both written and verbal.
37. Curious mindset with passion for innovation, technology and creative problem-solving.
38. Analytical thinking and ability to balance creativity with feasibility.
39. Familiarity with control system architectures and network topologies
40. Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
41. Excellent communication and team collaboration abilities
Why Lear
We offer a fantastic place to work, opportunity to grow and being part of a company who places its people first.
What We Offer
42. Competitive Salary,
43. Access to Learning and development opportunities
44. Opportunities to give back to the community
45. Meaningful work that makes a difference in the world