It Systems Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Are you ready to move your career forward and help shape our company’s and customers’ futures? If you aspire to challenge yourself, work with the best in the industry and join a successful team where you can make a meaningful contribution, then we invite you to join us at Ketjen Corporation, a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Together, we can create a legacy marked by innovation, excitement, and energy.

Ketjen Corporation is a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Our company is driven by a strong set of core values: curiosity, care, collaboration, humility, accountability, and integrity. These values guide our decisions, shape our culture, and define how we work together to deliver exceptional value to our customers and communities.

The IT/OT System Engineer supports and maintains Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial IT systems across manufacturing and research environments. This role is responsible for the administration, monitoring, security, and continuous improvement of Process Control Systems (PCS), Process Information Management Systems (PIMS), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), laboratory systems, analytics platforms, and the supporting IT/OT infrastructure. The position plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of interconnected IT and OT environments. Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, Research & Technology, and application administrators, the IT/OT System Engineer provides hands‑on technical support, infrastructure administration, system integration, cybersecurity support, and project execution for site‑based OT systems.

• Ensure compliance with Ketjen IT/OT cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures.
• Maintain OT infrastructure documentation, including system architecture, network topology, asset inventories, and data flow diagrams.
• Support the administration of virtualized environments, including host servers, hypervisors, and virtual machines.
• Manage OT network infrastructure including switches, routers, firewalls, and secure network segmentation.
• Coordinate backup, recovery, and disaster recovery processes for OT environments.
• Install, maintain, and support OT hardware, software, and cybersecurity solutions.
• Maintain endpoint management and anti-virus solutions across OT networks.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, operating procedures, and support guides.

• Administer and support PCS, PIMS, LIMS, laboratory systems, historian systems, and analytics platforms.
• Manage operating system patching and vulnerability remediation activities within OT environments.
• Assist application owners with software upgrades, patch deployment, and ongoing maintenance activities.
• Support database maintenance and system performance monitoring.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving OT infrastructure, applications, interfaces, and network connectivity.
• Maintain and support system integrations, including historian platforms and interfaces between PIMS, LIMS, and related applications.
• Provide Level 1 and Level 2 technical support for OT hardware, software, and network systems.

• Monitor and maintain OT networks to ensure reliability, availability, and security.
• Track network configurations, IP address assignments, and system connectivity.
• Maintain inventories of OT hardware, software licenses, and infrastructure assets.
• Ensure software licensing compliance and support hardware and software asset management processes.
• Assist with implementing secure network architectures and industrial cybersecurity controls.

• Participate in OT infrastructure, system implementation, and digital transformation projects.
• Collaborate with Capital Projects, Maintenance, Operations, Research & Technology, and IT teams to support business initiatives.
• Assist with testing, deployment, and commissioning of new OT and IT solutions.
• Contribute to system standardization, documentation improvements, and process optimization efforts.
• Support rapidly changing business priorities while balancing operational support and project responsibilities.

• Build strong working relationships with manufacturing, maintenance, laboratory, research, and IT stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively through technical documentation, reports, presentations, and day‑to‑day interactions.
• Collaborate with internal and external project teams, vendors, and support organizations to deliver reliable solutions.
• Participate in audits, assessments, and cross‑function initiatives related to OT operations and cybersecurity.

• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting IT and OT infrastructure, systems administration, or industrial technology environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, a STEM-related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience supporting Process Control Systems (PCS), Process Information Management Systems (PIMS), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), or similar industrial systems.
• Working knowledge of Windows operating systems, virtualization technologies, and enterprise infrastructure environments.
• Experience with network administration, including LAN, WAN, industrial networking, switching, routing, and firewall technologies.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles, endpoint protection solutions, vulnerability management, and OT security best practices.
• Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, procedures, and system inventories.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong alignment with Ketjen's core values of curiosity, care, collaboration, humility, accountability, and integrity.

• Advanced knowledge of secure network architecture within Operational Technology environments.
• Industry certifications such as Network+, CCNA (or equivalent), ISA CAP, or cybersecurity-related certifications.
• Experience with cybersecurity frameworks and standards including NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISA/IEC 62443.
• Experience with hypervisor technologies including VMware, Hyper‑V, and Nutanix AHV.
• Experience performing OT cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability reviews, and remediation planning.
• Experience supporting internal or external audit activities.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing, refining, petrochemical, or other industrial production environments.

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package
• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

At Ketjen, we believe that our people make us successful. It’s really that simple.

We embrace diversity of experience, talent and thought. We work hard to create an inclusive work environment that empowers you to openly and honestly communicate, create and innovate.

Your decision to join our team will be rewarded with a positive, team‑oriented workplace that inspires personal and professional growth. We will make every effort to support your career goals and create opportunities for you to realize your full potential.

This is our culture. This is our commitment.

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Hands‑on technical experience
• Job variety and career flexibility
• Collaboration with seasoned employees at every level
• A proven record of innovation
• Company‑wide focus on economic and environmental sustainability
• Deep commitment to our communities, education, and social development
• Concern and compassion for fellow employees
• Among the best safety records in the industry

The bottom‑line: no matter where you apply your talent and training, Ketjen will provide the resources and support you need to succeed.

EEO is The Law - click here to see more information Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity