Instrumentation, Controls and Automation Technician

About the role

Join Southern Water's Wastewater Treatment Team to maintain and improve instrumentation, control and automation (ICA) systems across multiple sites in the South East. You will ensure the reliability, compliance and efficiency of control equipment while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out planned, reactive and proactive maintenance, fault finding, calibration, testing and programming of telemetry, instrumentation and analyser equipment.
• Maintain and troubleshoot MCC & LVA assemblies, PLC control systems, PID controllers and dosing equipment.
• Implement process improvements and diagnose faults on Rockwell, Mitsubishi and other package PLCs.
• Manage PLC software backups, change control, HMI & SCADA modifications.
• Set up and maintain site control networks (Ethernet, DH+, Profibus, Profinet, RS232) and configure managed switches.
• Respond to alarms from the Regional Control Centre and conduct investigative work on instrument and process issues.

Required profile

• Experience in maintaining ICA systems in an industrial or utilities environment.
• Ability to work safely on site and travel between locations.
• Willingness to undertake training and follow Southern Water standards.

Required skills

• PLC programming (Rockwell, Mitsubishi, package plant PLCs).
• HMI and SCADA systems.
• Telemetry systems and instrumentation (flowmeters, level transmitters, pressure transducers, temperature probes).
• Analyser equipment (dissolved oxygen, MLSS, turbidity).
• MCC & LVA, PID controllers, dosing equipment.
• Control networks: Ethernet, DH+, Profibus, Profinet, RS232, managed switches.
• Calibration to national standards (HACCP, MCert).

What we offer

• Base salary £38,564 – £55,704 per year (dependent on skills and experience).
• Overtime and on‑call payments.
• Company van for business use and fuel card.
• Health care cash plan, competitive pension and monitored career path.
• Training, development and progression opportunities.