Freelance Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

IT/OT Systems Engineer
Here at Siemens, we take pride in enabling sustainable progress through technology. We do this by empowering customers through the combination of the real and digital worlds - improving how we live, work, and move today and for the next generation. We know a business thrives only when its people are thriving. That is why we put our people first and support them as they grow in new ways.
Transform the everyday with us!
This role is On-Site in Buffalo Grove, IL. It is a Technical Bridge Role - Factory, Manufacturing and Distribution Center IT
We are looking for an IT/OT Systems Engineer to provide dedicated, on-site technical depth for factory and distribution center operations. This position will be based fully on-site at [LOCATION]. In this peer-support role, you will bridge remote infrastructure engineering and floor-level operational needs. You will coordinate with the Senior Infrastructure Engineer and infrastructure team on standards, architecture, and managed systems while partnering with Factory IT Leads and production teams on day-to-day execution and site priorities. Factory IT Leads retain ownership of factory-floor and distribution center IT priorities, and the Senior Infrastructure Engineer retains ownership of infrastructure architecture and standards.
You'll make an impact by:
• Serve as the on-site technical bridge between factory operations, Factory IT Leads, the Senior Infrastructure Engineer, associate infrastructure engineers, central managed services, and third-party machine vendors.
• Coordinate network infrastructure provisioning and configuration performed by central managed services, including switches, racking, cabling, and core network configuration, while directly handling hands-on setup and support for endpoints such as PCs.
• Maintain accurate, current site-specific network architecture documentation and verify alignment with infrastructure team standards.
• Lead on-site execution of cybersecurity vulnerability remediation and compliance actions, coordinating patching and remediation windows with production and distribution center schedules.
• Maintain IT/OT network segmentation by validating VLAN boundaries and firewall rules as equipment, vendors, and segmentation requirements change.
• Manage compensating controls for legacy or unpatchable floor equipment, including monitoring, isolation, and documented exceptions.
• Maintain accurate site asset inventories to support audits, compliance requirements, and cyber insurance obligations.
• Administer user access reviews and support privileged access management for site systems.
• Coordinate with third-party machine vendors and managed service providers to confirm security requirements before network connection.
• Gather site-level evidence and documentation for audits and support deployment of company-wide security initiatives, including multifactor authentication and endpoint hardening, across factory systems.
• Lead endpoint access and PC login administration for factory users.
• Act as the local technical escalation point for diagnosing and resolving application performance issues affecting production and distribution center operations.
• Administer factory-specific applications and services, supporting the availability and performance of production-critical systems.
• Lead site-level data, analytics, and digital enablement initiatives, translating factory-floor data needs into practical solutions.
• Support Industrial Internet of Things, operational technology communication protocols, edge computing, and cloud-connected operational technology infrastructure that enable data-driven manufacturing and operational excellence.
• Work independently on-site while collaborating closely with technical and operational stakeholders to align execution with production priorities and infrastructure standards.
You'll win us over by having the following qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
• Technical degree or a minimum of 3 years of hands-on IT infrastructure experience.
• Working knowledge of network fundamentals, including VLANs, switching, and basic firewall concepts, sufficient to execute against architecture and standards established by the infrastructure team.
• Experience supporting vulnerability remediation, patching, and compliance activities.
• Familiarity with IT/OT segmentation concepts and experience working around production equipment and operating schedules.
• Experience troubleshooting infrastructure, endpoints, or applications as a technical escalation point in an on-site environment.
• Ability to work fully on-site and provide off-shift availability as needed to support production and distribution center schedules.
• Ability to travel regionally as required.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States on a continual and permanent basis without company sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated IT infrastructure expertise within a manufacturing, industrial, plant, distribution center, or research and development environment.
• Proven ability to administer factory-specific or production-critical applications and services.
• Knowledge of network architecture documentation and site asset inventory management.
• Expertise in privileged access management, user access reviews, cybersecurity audits, or compensating controls for legacy equipment.
• Ability to coordinate technical work with managed service providers and third-party machine vendors.
• Knowledge of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), operational technology (OT) communication protocols, edge computing, data analytics, and cloud-connected OT infrastructure.
About Siemens:
We are a global technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to sustainable transportation and advanced healthcare, we create technology with purpose that adds real value for customers. Learn more about Siemens at https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company.html.
Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion in our Diverse Global Workforce:
We value your unique identity and perspective. We are fully committed to providing equitable opportunities and building a workplace that reflects the diversity of society, while ensuring that we attract the best talent based on qualifications, skills, and experiences. We welcome you to bring your authentic self and transform the everyday with us.
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You'll Benefit From
Siemens offers a variety of health and wellness benefits to our employees. Details regarding our benefits can be found here: https://www.benefitsquickstart.com/siemens/index.html
The pay range for this position is $92,320 - $158,263 annually. The actual wage offered may be lower or higher depending on budget and candidate experience, knowledge, skills, qualifications, and premium geographic location.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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