Control and Automation Field Engineer

United Utilities; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave plus bank hols

Competitive pension with employer cont

5% performance bonus

Healthcare plan

Inclusion & continuous learning

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a skilled Controls & Automation Field Engineer to maintain and improve industrial control and automation systems across the North West. The role is field-based with occasional standby rota, covering Lancaster/Cumbria with flexible hours and strong safety practices.

You will diagnose faults on PLCs, SCADA, HMI, and telemetry, perform planned maintenance, and mentor apprentices while contributing to capital and operational projects.

Qualifications

• Completed Electrical or Instrumentation apprenticeship or equivalent
• HNC/HND in Instrumentation, Control & Automation or similar
• Experience with PLC programming (Siemens or Allen Bradley) and industrial networks

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve industrial control and automation systems across production, catchment, drainage and network operations
• Diagnose and resolve faults on PLCs, SCADA, HMI, telemetry and communication systems
• Carry out planned maintenance including PLC battery changes and software updates
• Ensure control system configurations are securely backed up
• Optimise automation to improve performance and reliability
• Administer CA authorisation permits and ensure safe working practices
• Support and mentor apprentices and fellow field service engineers
• Provide asset performance data to drive smarter decisions
• Identify recurring issues and propose long-term solutions
• Ensure critical spares are available and support investment planning
• Participate in a 24/7 standby rota (~5 times per month)
• Work independently and contribute to capital/operational projects

Skills

Electrical apprenticeship

Instrumentation apprenticeship

PLC programming

Fieldbus & networks

SCADA/HMI knowledge

Industrial security best practice

UK driving licence

Education

HNC/HND in Instrumentation, Control & Automation

Job description

Location: Lancaster / Cumbria / Kendall (Field based with flexibility)
Core hours: 8–4 with flexible working | Standby rota required
Help us keep the North West flowing

At United Utilities, we don’t just supply water we support the health, wellbeing and prosperity of millions of people across the North West. As a proud FTSE 100 company and ranked #4 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow, excel and truly belong.
We’re investing heavily in the future of water, wastewater and environmental resilience. Now we’re looking for a skilled Controls & Automation Field Engineer to help us protect essential services, optimise our assets and keep our region running smoothly.

Why Join us

You’ll be part of a supportive, forward thinking engineering community with access to exceptional benefits, including:

• 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 after four years, plus bank holidays
• Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution
• 5% performance related bonus and recognition awards
• Company funded healthcare plan
• A culture built on inclusion, innovation and continuous learning

What you’ll be doing

You’ll play a vital role in maintaining and improving the industrial control and automation systems that keep our water and wastewater services safe, reliable and efficient. Every day will bring new challenges across our production, catchment, drainage and network operations.

• Deliver efficient C&A maintenance, repairs and installations across a wide range of operational assets
• Diagnose and resolve faults on PLCs, SCADA, HMI, telemetry and communication systems
• Carry out planned maintenance, including PLC battery changes and software updates
• Ensure all control system configurations are securely backed up
• Optimise automation systems to improve performance and reliability
• Administer C&A authorisation permits and ensure safe working practices
• Support and mentor apprentices and fellow field service engineers
• Provide accurate asset performance data to help drive smarter decision making
• Identify recurring issues and recommend long term solutions
• Ensure critical spares are available and support investment planning
• Participate in a 24/7 standby rota (approx. 5 times per month)
• Work independently when required and contribute to capital and operational projects

Essential skills & experience

You’ll bring strong technical expertise, a proactive mindset and a commitment to safety and quality. We’re looking for someone with:

• A completed Electrical or Instrumentation apprenticeship
• HNC/HND in Instrumentation, Control & Automation (or equivalent experience)
• Experience with PLC programming (Siemens or Allen Bradley preferred)
• Knowledge of Fieldbus, IP based networks and radio communication systems
• Working knowledge of SCADA, HMI, telemetry and industrial communication basics
• Understanding of information security best practice
• A full UK driving licence
• Ability to pass a colour vision assessment
• Experience in water, food processing or similar industrial environments is beneficial

You’ll need to live within a reasonable distance for standby response.

Make a real impact
This is your chance to use your technical expertise to protect essential services, support environmental sustainability and help shape the future of water in the North West. You’ll join a team that values your ideas, invests in your development and celebrates your success.