Associate Specialist, Cybersecurity Operations

Job Description

Job Description

As part of the Cyber Fusion Center (CFC), the Operational Technology (OT) Cyber Security Analyst supports efforts to identify, analyze, and remediate cyber security risks across manufacturing and OT environments.

This role works closely with internal teams and stakeholders to strengthen cybersecurity posture, improve cyber hygiene, and support operational activities across OT infrastructure.

The OT Cyber Security Analyst assists with cyber security operations including vulnerability management, threat monitoring, incident response, and stakeholder coordination. The role provides an opportunity to develop technical expertise in OT security while contributing to the protection of manufacturing environments.

This role works under the supervision of the FORT Lead, specifically the OT Security Lead.

Key Responsibilities

·        Support the identification and remediation of OT vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in alignment with internal prioritization and remediation guidelines

·        Collaborate with manufacturing sites, engineering teams, and cybersecurity teams to improve OT security posture

·        Assist with vulnerability scanning and assessment activities across OT assets, applications, and infrastructure

·        Monitor and analyze potential cyber threats and escalate issues to senior team members or incident response teams as appropriate

·        Support threat analysis and threat hunting activities under guidance from senior analysts

·        Assist in preparing reports and communications on OT risk, vulnerabilities, and remediation progress

·        Support OT cybersecurity governance, metrics, and reporting activities within the Cyber Fusion Center

·        Utilize enterprise tools (e.g., ServiceNow) to track and manage vulnerability remediation tasks

·        Execute cyber hygiene activities across manufacturing environments, including asset inventory validation, patching coordination support, backup validation checks, endpoint hardening activities, account and access reviews, and identification of unnecessary services or network communications

·        Support implementation and maintenance of baseline OT security controls such as network segmentation, firewall rule hygiene, and secure remote access

·        Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and help identify opportunities for automation and process enhancements

Position Qualifications

Education Minimum Requirement

HS Diploma required.

Required Experience and Skills

·        0–3 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT operations, or related technical fields

·        Foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts including vulnerability management, incident response, and network security

·        Exposure to security tools such as SIEM, endpoint protection, or logging platforms

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment

·        Effective written and verbal communication skills

·        Ability to work collaboratively across teams and stakeholders

·        Basic experience with data analysis and working with multiple data sources

Preferred Experience and Skills

·        Exposure to Industrial Control Systems (ICS), including PLCs, SCADA, or DCS environments

·        Basic understanding of OT network protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC, DNP3)

·        Familiarity with cybersecurity tools or platforms used in OT or enterprise environments

·        Awareness of cyber threats and vulnerabilities in OT/ICS environments

·        Exposure to vulnerability management or ticketing tools (e.g., ServiceNow)

·        Interest in pursuing cybersecurity certifications (e.g., Security+, GICSP)

MSJR

#eligibleforerp

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Cybersecurity, Cyber Security Governance, Cybersecurity Risk Management, Cyber Threat Hunting, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Digital Forensics, Incident Response Management, Industrial Control System, Information Technology Operations, Insider Threat Mitigation, IT Operation, IT Project Lifecycle, Log Analysis, Manufacturing Environments, Network Segmentation, Operational Technology (OT), Oral Communications, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Security Monitoring, Security Operations, SLA Management {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$65,100.00 - $102,500.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits .

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only:  We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:  We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/24/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE  the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R408294