Compex Electrical Engineer

SevernTrentLife; Midlands; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK water and waste company is seeking a CompEx Electrical Engineer to ensure DSEAR compliance across their operations. You will manage safety processes for potentially explosive environments, develop compliance strategies, and support risk assessments. The ideal candidate has a strong electrical engineering background, is proficient in safety regulations, and excels in communication. This role offers competitive benefits and a commitment to career development.

Benefits

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme

Leading pension scheme

Sharesave scheme

Dedicated training and development

Electric vehicle scheme

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Strong electrical engineering background with practical knowledge in safety regulations.
• Experience managing electrical installations and mentoring technical staff.
• Understanding of DSEAR regulations and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Ensure DSEAR compliance and manage inspections.
• Support teams with technical advice on risk assessments.
• Coach staff to maintain electrical competence.

Skills

Electrical engineering background

Technical drawing interpretation

Explosion protection principles

Safety risk management

Planning and analytical skills

Communication

Education

Degree, HND, HNC, or NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we serve 4.8 million households and businesses across the heart of the UK. Each cup of tea and every toilet flush is only possible because of our dedicated team of 6,500 members working across our region.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and celebrate individuality. We believe diverse minds, experiences, and backgrounds help us learn and serve our communities better.

If you want to make a difference because you care, we’d love to hear from you. There truly is something for everyone here.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

We are seeking a CompEx Electrical Engineer (Competence in Explosive Atmospheres) / DSEAR Responsible Person (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) to join our Asset Planning team.

You will lead efforts to ensure our sites and equipment comply with safety standards for working with potentially explosive substances, in accordance with DSEAR regulations. Acting as the Technical Person with Executive Function, you’ll be the expert for all DSEAR-related matters.

Your role will involve developing and implementing compliance processes, supporting teams with risk assessments and technical advice, and managing inspection and improvement programs with external partners. You will interpret technical documents and ensure clarity across teams.

Collaborating closely with operations, engineering, and safety colleagues, you’ll foster a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring DSEAR compliance through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Managing inspection and maintenance schedules for hazardous area assets.
• Acting as Responsible Person under BS EN 60079-14 & 17 and as an Authorising Engineer for CompEx roles.
• Supporting and coaching electrical maintenance staff to maintain competence.
• Auditing DSEAR compliance and reviewing inspection reports for risk management.
• Reviewing technical drawings and certifications for hazardous area equipment.
• Maintaining and updating internal procedures to meet legal standards.
• Managing DSEAR documentation for projects and supporting competence development across the business.
• Advising operational teams on DSEAR risk management.
• Working across departments to reduce health and safety risks.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE

To succeed, you should have a strong electrical engineering background, with the ability to interpret technical drawings. Practical knowledge of explosion protection principles and relevant standards, along with experience in managing electrical ignition risks, is essential.

Ideally, you will have experience managing electrical installations, mentoring technical staff, and working with consultants. Knowledge of DSEAR regulations, hazardous area assessments, and safety risk management is desirable.

You should be a strong communicator with excellent planning, analytical, and influencing skills. Comfortable working independently and in teams, you’ll be adept at prioritising, seeing the bigger picture, and proficient with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

You must be a fully qualified electrical engineer or electrician (Degree, HND, HNC, or NVQ Level 3), with a valid CompEx Ex14 Responsible Person qualification or CompEx Ex01–04 certification, and relevant hands-on experience working in DSEAR hazardous areas, including knowledge of Exd, Exe, and Exi protection methods.

A solid understanding of IEC standards (such as IEC 60079 series) and a full UK driving license are also required.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Working here is more than just a job. You can build a career at Severn Trent, and we’ll reward you for it. We offer a range of benefits recognizing your contributions, along with award-winning training to help you reach your potential. We also support your role in caring for the environment and communities.

Some of our key perks include:

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (with options to buy or sell up to 5 days annually)
• Annual bonus scheme (up to £2,250 based on company performance)
• Leading pension scheme with doubled contributions (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave scheme to buy Severn Trent shares at a discount
• Dedicated training and development through our ‘Academy’
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail discounts
• Family-friendly policies and two volunteering days per year

WHAT’S NEXT?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Prepare your updated CV and set aside about five minutes to complete your application. We will notify you of the outcome after the closing date, so keep an eye on your emails and phone.

If you’re curious and want to learn more, search #LifeAtSevernTrent on social media.