Information Technology (IT) Support Specialist

**6-month Contract - On-site Stevenage** Shift work: 5 days on, 2 off (6am-2pm/ 2pm-10pm + weekends) About our Client: Our Client is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation, programmed T cell therapies for the treatment of cancer. Using a broad suite of proprietary and modular T cell programming technologies. The company is engineering precisely targeted, controlled and highly active T cell therapies that are designed to better recognise cancer cells, break down their defense mechanisms and eliminate these cells. They have a pipeline of product candidates in development for the treatment of haematological malignancies and solid tumours . Role Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive OT Support Specialist to support the operational technology (OT) systems critical to our biopharmaceutical laboratories and manufacturing environments. You will be responsible for the implementation, support, and administration of OT hardware, software, and infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration with the PC systems that support them. This role requires strong collaboration with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Quality Control (QC), IT, and Engineering, to drive proactive solutions and address issues promptly.Your role will also involve staying informed about emerging technologies relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry OT and manufacturing, identifying opportunities for improvement, and supporting the team guide the organisation on how best to implement these innovations. Key Responsibilities:

• Provide ongoing support for OT hardware, software, and system connectivity, ensuring integration with the supporting PC systems.
• Perform systems administration and operational support for OT environments, including laboratory software, process control systems, and plant instrumentation.
• Collaborate with system owners to define user requirements, ensuring that OT system designs meet business needs.
• Monitor, manage, and optimise complex OT platforms and equipment, ensuring high performance and uptime.
• Lead and provide guidance on OT-related projects, from software/systems implementation to validation and integration into operations.
• Act as a liaison between operations, QC, IT, third-party vendors, and Engineering to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Ensure that OT systems are maintained according to GxP, GMP, and cybersecurity standards, particularly ISA-95 security principles.
• Stay ahead of the OT technology roadmap by planning upgrades for legacy systems and ensuring that critical systems are patched and up to date.
• Manage risks related to OT hardware and software, ensuring stability, security, and availability across systems.
• Provide hands-on operational support for OT environments, including setup, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Contribute to GxP-compliant system documentation, test plans, and user acceptance testing.

• 5+ years of experience in IT design, build, and operational support.
• 3+ years in a similar role, supporting systems in a laboratory or manufacturing environment, ideally in the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of GxP and GMP compliance in a highly regulated environment.
• Hands-on experience with IT infrastructure, networking, Active Directory (AD), and Windows operating systems.

• Knowledge of OT computing, ISA-95 / Purdue Framework, and security principles.
• Understanding of integration techniques and communication protocols (e.g., OPC, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
• Knowledge of Windows-based OT environments and storage solutions.

• Excellent communication skills, with a focus on clear, concise written documentation.
• Agile and responsive, with the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage and resolve complex technical challenges.

• Experience in developing design patterns and implementation standards.
• Experience with creating and maintaining system implementation and operational procedures.
• Degree in Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (preferred but not
• essential).
• Understanding of ISA-95 / Purdue Framework
• Technical knowledge of integration techniques and communication protocols.