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Automation Project Manager with VMware

00069120881

We are looking for an Automation Project Manager with strong OT / industrial automation experience and solid VMware knowledge to support infrastructure and automation-related projects in a regulated manufacturing environment. The role will focus on managing the delivery of automation and OT infrastructure activities, including system migrations, virtual server changes, application coordination, vendor
alignment, change control, and site implementation planning. The candidate does not need to be a deep VMware engineer, but must understand VMware-based OT environments well enough to manage technical dependencies, risks, cutover planning, and stakeholder
discussions.

This role requires someone who can work effectively with automation engineers, OT architects, infrastructure teams, site engineering, vendors, cybersecurity teams, and business stakeholders.


Key Responsibilities

  • Manage automation and OT infrastructure project activities across manufacturing sites.
  • Coordinate activities related to VMware-hosted OT systems, including virtual servers, OT applications, SCADA-related components, historians, engineering tools, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Support planning and execution of OT system migrations, upgrades, and infrastructure changes.
  • Work with automation teams to understand system dependencies, communication flows, production constraints, and vendor requirements.
  • Coordinate with infrastructure teams on VMware, virtual machines, storage, backups, snapshots, networking, and capacity requirements.
  • Support migration planning from VMware to alternative platforms where applicable, such as Hyper-V, Azure Local, or cloud-connected infrastructure.
  • Drive project planning, milestones, RAID logs, status reporting, stakeholder updates, and escalation management.
  • Coordinate site readiness, technical prerequisites, implementation windows, and cutover activities.
  • Support change-control preparation, including CAB submissions, implementation plans, rollback plans, validation evidence, and post-change checks.
  • Work with OT cybersecurity teams to ensure alignment with segmentation, firewall, remote access, hardening, and compliance requirements.
  • Manage third-party vendors and OEMs involved in automation systems and OT applications.
  • Ensure risks and dependencies are clearly documented and actively managed.
  • Facilitate workshops with site teams, automation engineers, IT infrastructure, OT security, and vendors.
  • Track deliverables, actions, decisions, assumptions, and open technical questions.
  • Provide clear executive-level and technical-level project reporting.

Required Experience

  • Proven experience as a Project Manager in industrial automation, OT infrastructure, manufacturing IT, or regulated production environments.
  • Good understanding of industrial automation systems, including SCADA, HMI, PLCconnected systems, historians, batch systems, or OT application servers.
  • Practical knowledge of VMware environments, including virtual machines, ESXi, vCenter, snapshots, storage, networking, backups, and migration dependencies.
  • Experience managing infrastructure or application migration projects involving virtualized servers.
  • Experience working with manufacturing sites and production-critical systems.
  • Strong understanding of change control, implementation planning, rollback planning, and validation requirements.
  • Ability to coordinate technical teams without needing to be the hands-on engineer.
  • Experience managing vendors, OEMs, and cross-functional delivery teams.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Experience with RAID management, project planning, status reporting, and delivery governance.

  • Ability to work in complex, multi-site, multi-vendor environments.


Preferred Experience

  • Experience in pharma, life sciences, chemicals, food manufacturing, or other regulated industries.
  • Experience with GxP / CSV / validated systems.
  • Experience with OT cybersecurity programmes, network segmentation, or secure remote access.
  • Familiarity with Purdue Model / ISA-95, IEC 62443, or NIST 800-82.
  • Experience with VMware-to-Hyper-V, VMware-to-Azure Local, or VMware-to-cloud migration projects.
  • Understanding of OT networking, VLANs, firewall rules, port matrices, and system connectivity.
  • Experience coordinating plant shutdown windows or tightly controlled maintenance windows.
  • Experience with ServiceNow, Jira, MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar project management tools.
  • Experience preparing steering committee updates and executive reporting.

Technical Knowledge Expected

The candidate should understand the following concepts well enough to manage discussions, risks, and dependencies:

  • VMware ESXi and vCenter basics.
  • Virtual machine lifecycle management
  • VM snapshots, backups, and restore points.
  • VM migration dependencies.
  • Storage and compute capacity planning.
  • Virtual networking, VLANs, port groups, and firewall dependencies.
  • Windows Server and OT application hosting.
  • OT application dependencies and vendor constraints.
  • Change windows, rollback plans, and production-impact assessment.
  • Backup and disaster recovery requirements.
  • OT segmentation and secure access principles.

What we offer

  • Long-term contract engagement possible or pernament agreement
  • Hybrid working model depending on project requirements
  • International and multi-stakeholder environment
  • Involvement in complex engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, or transformation
    programs

For more information about us, visit Cognizant Poland.
If you are looking for another opportunity and are interested in the company, do not hesitate to apply online!

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.


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About Cognizant: 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.

Benefits that help you thrive and grow

Our benefits program is built with you in mind—so you can enjoy a fulfilling, balanced and healthy life.

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Financial wellbeing

We regularly review market data to ensure compensation reflects the value you bring. Your benefits extend beyond pay and may include retirement plans, financial education, etc.

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Physical and mental health

We empower you to prioritize your wellbeing through paid time off, flexible working where possible, healthcare plans, counselling, our Mental Health Allyship program and more. 

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Your career, your way

With 350,000+ roles at Cognizant, you’ll have opportunities explore new technologies, industries and locations—and build the skills you need to grow your career.

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Real-world impact

Think about the biggest brands you rely on. Chances are, they rely on us to help strengthen their business. Here, you’ll turn bold ideas into solutions that improve lives everywhere.

Your path to Cognizant

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process. Please keep in mind that it may vary by role and location. Explore our FAQs to learn more.

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Step 1: Apply to the right opportunity

Find an open role that matches your skills and career goals and show us why you’re the person for the job. Don’t see the right opportunity? Consider joining our Talent Community.

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Step 2: Connect with your recruiter

If one of our recruiters sees a fit, they’ll set up a short intro call to learn more about you and how your experiences and skills match the role.

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Step 3: Show off your skills

If you and our team would like to continue the process, you’ll interview with our hiring team. Some roles may also require technical assessments and/or client interviews.

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Step 4: Decision time

Our team will then review each candidates’ potential to succeed in the role. This step may take some time because we want to find the right fit for both you and us—but you can count on us to keep you updated.

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