Staff Engineer OT Digital Systems

Job Location: Hershey, PA or Remote (with travel to manufacturing sites as needed)

Position Title: OT Data Engineer 

Summary:

The OT Data Engineer – Unified Namespace is responsible for designing and implementing  scalable industrial data solutions that enable real-time visibility and integration across manufacturing systems. This role supports Hershey’s Digital Factory initiatives by connecting Control Systems, Historians, MES, and ERP platforms through a unified, standards-based data architecture.

This Staff Engineer role contributes to enterprise OT data strategy, improving decision-making, operational efficiency, and digital capabilities across the manufacturing network.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and maintain a Unified Namespace (UNS) architecture using MQTT-based technologies
• Develop semantic data models and hierarchical structures aligned to ISA-95 and ISA-88 standards
• Integrate PLC/SCADA, historians, MES, WMS, Production Planning, QMS, and ERP systems
• Implement and support HiveMQ, HighByte, and Ignition platforms
• Develop data pipelines and integrations using Python for scripting ETL jobs, API integrations, and automation
• Establish data governance standards and practices
• Enable real-time, event-driven data architectures
• Collaborate cross-functionally across OT, IT, and Engineering
• Support Digital Factory and MES initiatives
• Integrate and optimize historian platforms such as AVEVA PI

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 5+ years of industrial data engineering or OT experience
• Experience with Unified Namespace and MQTT architectures
• Experience with HiveMQ, HighByte, or similar platforms
• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition platform
• Experience integrating MES, ERP, and control systems
• Proficiency in Python and pipeline orchestration and transformation tools
• Knowledge of ISA-95, ISA-88, and data modeling
• Experience with OT data governance
• Experience with factory floor industrial manufacturing technology including PLCs, SCADA, Robotics

Preferred:

• Experience with AVEVA PI or other historians
• Familiarity with analytics, machine learning, and AI platforms; Databricks preferred
• Experience with APIs and event-driven architecture
• Experience with messaging tools such as Apache Kafka
• Understanding of OT cybersecurity

Key Capabilities:

• Strong analytical and system design skills
• Ability to translate manufacturing needs into scalable solutions
• Effective cross-functional collaboration
• Focus on reliability, scalability, and standardization

Additional Information:

• This position focuses on the Operations Technology space and supports Hershey’s Manufacturing Supply Chain Network.  Knowledge of factory floor automation systems is required.
• Travel as required for on-site support of manufacturing sites
• Occasional off-hours support as needed

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
 
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.  

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
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To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information.  You may also email a request for accommodation to [email protected]. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.