Lead Operational Technology Specialist - Onslow Village

Salary: £50,000 - 50,000 per year

Requirements:

• Deep expertise in operational technology within complex engineering environments such as tunnel systems, with a strong understanding of functional safety, resilience, availability, and performance.
• Strong understanding of traffic control standards and specifications, with the ability to align technical solutions to legislative frameworks such as the Standards for Highways and the Road Tunnel Safety Regulations.
• Experience working with technical standards and technology specifications, with knowledge of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) systems such as SCADA, PLC, control and automation systems, information products, monitoring and detection systems.
• Good working awareness of environmental considerations, industrial communication protocols, networking, telecommunications, and power systems.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights, working effectively with business and technical stakeholders to shape solutions, guide design decisions, and resolve complex challenges.
• Strong capability in technical governance, strategy, and integration, with the ability to develop roadmaps, standards, and architectures, and ensure systems are effectively integrated to meet business needs and performance outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership for tunnel systems and operational technology, working closely with the Principal OT Architect for Tunnels and Connected Vehicles and senior stakeholders to shape direction, offer challenge, and support informed decision-making.
• Act as the technical authority for tunnels OT, strategically driving governance and assurance processes in support of tunnel renewals and the adoption of emerging technologies, digital solutions, and data-driven approaches to asset management.
• Ensure risks are clearly understood and mitigated before deployment.
• Define and drive the technical strategy for tunnel systems, developing architectural guardrails, specifications, and long-term roadmaps across technologies such as SCADA, ITS systems, digital elements of Mechanical & Electrical Systems, and telecommunication systems.
• Enhance safety, reliability, obsolescence management, and performance.
• Lead the development of business cases, procurement approaches, and supplier engagement, promoting the adoption of COTS solutions and open standards while ensuring alignment to future architecture and organisational strategy.
• Build and strengthen Operational Technology capability by mentoring colleagues, collaborating across teams, supporting the OT community, and translating complex technical challenges into clear, accessible insights that drive continuous improvement.
• Manage the budgets allocated by the Head of Operational Technology Systems Engineering and Principal OT Architect for Tunnels and Connected Vehicles in line with the Digital Services financial governance processes.

Technologies:

• Architect
• Support
• PLC
• Network

More:

We are National Highways, managing and improving Englands motorways and major A roads to help our customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers, and delivery, supported by our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork, and ownership. Our Digital Services Directorate is reshaping the way we operate by delivering digital, data, and technology services across the organisation in a modern and efficient manner. Our vision is to develop integrated information and technology that empowers our colleagues and provides real-time information to our customers, while integrating with intelligent vehicle and transport systems as they evolve to enhance journey safety and reliability. This is a hybrid role based at any National Highways office location, requiring two days per week in the office. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

last updated 36 week of 2026