Instrumentation, Control & Automation Engineer

We are currently seeking an experienced (ICA) Instrumentation, Control & Automation Engineer to work across the Thames Valley East Region covering Newbury, Reading, and Chilterns).

As an ICA engineer, you will be one of our Technical Leaders for the ICA team in Thames Valley, taking on the most difficult and complex ICA problems to ensure our assets perform effectively.

The role will also require you to drive down repeat & flatline alarms, support asset upgrades proactively to raise risks and request funding for these upgrades. Also to identify other efficiencies, participate in water quality investigations. Also, work with our reservoir engineers to identify planned outages in your area to ensure we utilise outages to upgrade on-site assets and lead in organising ordering new parts and installation with the ICA team.

You will conduct risk assessments and create appropriate method statements when required to safely carry out your work. There may be a need to liaise with, audit or supervise contractors and suppliers/Team members where necessary.

You will be responsible for providing specialist technical advice with up-to-date technical knowledge. This is alongside coaching, mentoring, and supporting colleagues with your Technical Expertise. You will maintain good stakeholder relationships with our Operational Technology teams. Training and further development support will be provided with internal and external courses.

• 38 Hours Monday-Friday 07:30 -15:36.
• Thames Valley East Region covering Newbury, Reading, and Chilterns.

What you’ll be doing as an ICA Engineer

• Demonstrating effectiveness, by driving down flatline and repeat alarms alongside alarm rationalisation.
• Overseeing the Installation, modifying and commissioning of new plant equipment to relevant standards and diagnosing and repairing faults in systems and plants. Proactively identifying and reporting follow-on work or areas for enhancement.
• Drive asset availability by liaising with relevant stakeholders, contractors, WQ, Control, and Controller of Premises for your designated areas.
• Supporting HMI upgrades in the area.
• Documented PLC changes to update and prevent recurring issues.
• Support training and coaching delivery on the ground; troubleshooting and direct problem solving with ICA Technician.
• Monitoring Mandat, PPM and NEDMs and Reactive works and escalating any risks for non-compliance.
• Deliver site-specific onsite manuals/ guides for future supporting team members with fault diagnosis.
• Liaising and supervising contractors and suppliers where necessary.
• Delivering cost-effective improvements to assets and systems.
• Conducting your risk assessments and creating appropriate method statements when required to safely carry out maintenance activities.
• Providing specialist technical advice where appropriate with up-to-date technical knowledge and providing training support for technical trainees.
• Identify and escalate risks, providing input into the APS Risk Process where required.
• Identify and escalate efficiency opportunities.
• Support project development and input into capital delivery projects.
• Audit contractors/Team members to ensure compliance with RAMS and company processes
• Engage with Licence to Operate (LTO) programme.
• Participate in hours rota following training.

What should you bring to the role?

• Experience with PLCs and SCADA systems and communication network systems, instrumentation including flow, level, pressure etc. Allen Bradley PLC experience is ideal.
• Experience with variable speed drives (VSDs) and other starting methods for motors/pumps.
• Ideally, you will be qualified to HNC level or Higher, otherwise will have City and Guilds Part 2 or NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in an instrumentation, control and automation discipline.
• Preferable for you to have an 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification and 3-phase electrical knowledge or qualifications.
• Physical fitness and the ability to work in confined spaces with successful completion of the appropriate training.
• Take Ownership of responding quickly to faults, being curious to fully understand the problem and identify the best solution to resolve it the first time.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to interact with the team.
• The ability to deliver exceptional service through an enthusiastic and positive approach, taking accountability for your role while working accurately and flexibly within a busy team.
• Teamwork – We are one team, and our end goals are the same.
• Proactive – take the lead on recommendations and improvements around the site and communicate effectively.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £52,800 per annum depending on skills and experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays) 
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

The real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support you.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.