IT/OT Field Engineer at Avacone in Darmstadt, Hesse, DE

Role Purpose

We are seeking an experienced IT/OT Field Engineer to support the integration of laboratory instruments with an enterprise laboratory data platform.

This hands-on role bridges Information Technology and Operational Technology, ensuring instruments are prepared, connected and validated for onboarding. You will work closely with laboratory teams, site IT and technical specialists to establish reliable connectivity and resolve readiness issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Locate, inspect and prepare laboratory instruments for integration with the data platform.
• Verify that instrument PCs and servers are connected to the corporate network and operate within approved network zones.
• Coordinate device registration, firewall approvals and required port openings with site IT.
• Identify and validate file-share paths and network drives for file-based instruments.
• Support the deployment of data connectors or agents on instrument PCs and connect relevant file shares or data feeds.
• Record instrument models, software and firmware versions, and collect representative raw data files for schema mapping.
• Maintain technical contacts for networking, firewalls, proxies, servers, service accounts and storage access.
• Confirm instrument ownership and support responsibilities with laboratory owners and site IT.
• Complete instrument readiness checks before onboarding.
• Escalate technical blockers promptly to project and site management.
• Support end-to-end testing and troubleshoot physical and network connectivity issues onsite.
• Maintain accurate instrument inventories, readiness checklists and issue logs.

Required Skills and Experience

• 5–6 years of relevant IT/OT field engineering experience, preferably in laboratory or manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience supporting instrument PCs, servers, LAN/WAN connectivity and firewalls.
• Working knowledge of device registration, firewall rules, VLANs, ports and network zoning.
• Experience connecting laboratory or manufacturing instruments to enterprise systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for connectivity, network access and physical connection issues.
• Ability to work effectively in an active laboratory environment.
• Strong documentation, communication and coordination skills.
• Availability to work onsite in Darmstadt 4–5 days per week.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with laboratory data platforms, data connectors or enterprise storage solutions.
• Exposure to pharmaceutical or life sciences laboratories, including GxP or non-GxP environments.
• Familiarity with Chromatography Data Systems (CDS) or file-based scientific instruments.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Instrumentation or a related discipline, or equivalent hands-on field engineering experience.