IT Systems Engineering Lead

IT Systems Engineering Lead Location - Reading (onsite 5 days) Salary - Considering from £85,000 to £110,000 Contract - Fixed Term 12 month contract About the Role We are seeking an experienced IT Systems Engineering Lead to provide technical leadership across the design, assurance, and integration of complex IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments within major capital projects. This is a high-impact role responsible for ensuring IT infrastructure, architecture, cybersecurity, industrial networks, and digital systems are designed and delivered to the highest standards of performance, reliability, security, and compliance. You will work closely with engineering teams, contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders to drive successful project execution from concept and design through to operational handover. Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and governance of IT Systems standards and engineering practices.
• Provide technical assurance across IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, Industrial Networks, and OT systems.
• Review and approve IT systems designs to ensure compliance with regulatory, industry, and project standards.
• Identify and resolve technical and integration issues during early project phases, including Pre-FEED and FEED.
• Conduct risk-based assessments of design deviations and provide technical recommendations.
• Oversee contractor and vendor design activities, ensuring quality, consistency, and technical integrity.
• Lead technical bid evaluations and support supplier selection processes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to optimise solutions and identify value-adding opportunities.
• Ensure IT and OT systems are effectively integrated and aligned with project digital strategies.
• Evaluate existing systems, data integrity, and infrastructure to support integration and migration planning.
• Ensure connectivity and data flows between control systems, historian platforms, industrial networks, and enterprise systems.
• Support operational readiness activities and ensure successful handover of project systems to site operations.
• Champion the adoption of emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies that improve reliability, efficiency, and performance. What We're Looking For Essential Experience
• Significant experience leading the design and delivery of IT and OT systems within complex industrial, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, or engineering environments.
• Strong understanding of IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, and Industrial Control Systems.
• Experience managing system integration between operational and enterprise environments.
• Proven track record of technical governance, design assurance, and engineering leadership.
• Experience reviewing contractor and vendor deliverables and leading technical evaluations.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, data protection requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience applying risk management principles to engineering and technology decisions. Technical Expertise
• Enterprise IT Infrastructure and Networks
• Cybersecurity and Security-by-Design
• Operational Technology (OT) Environments
• Industrial Networks and Control Systems
• Historian Platforms and Data Management
• Systems Integration and Data Exchange
• Digital Strategy and Technology Deployment
• Technical Standards and Engineering Governance