DCS Technician

Wolviston Recruitment partners; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolviston Management Services Limited is seeking a DCS Technician to join the operations team in Darlington. Working from the control room, you will monitor process parameters, operate DCS/SCADA systems and support commissioning during start-up, ensuring safe, compliant production.

You will collaborate with team leaders and field operators, drive safety and continuous improvement, and maintain production logs while adhering to COMAH regulations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating DCS, PLC or SCADA systems in a process environment.
• Background in chemical, petrochemical or other high-hazard industries.
• Minimum 5 years' operational experience in a process plant setting.
• Process Operations qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of plant start-up, shutdown and steady-state operations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive and safety-first mindset.
• Effective communication and the ability to work collaboratively within a shift team.
• Experience within a COMAH-regulated environment (desirable).
• Flexibility to work continental shift patterns.

Responsibilities

• Operate and control plant systems via DCS/SCADA, ensuring safe and efficient production
• Support commissioning and start-up activities, including execution of operational procedures
• Monitor plant performance, verifying alarms, trips and process parameters
• Deliver clear, structured and accurate shift handovers
• Promote and embed a strong safety culture aligned with COMAH and site standards
• Respond effectively to plant upsets and emergency situations, managing safety systems as required
• Coach and mentor operators, supporting cross-training and capability development
• Review and improve start-up and operational procedures to enhance performance and safety
• Maintain accurate production logs, reports and operational documentation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise plant efficiency and reliability

Skills

DCS/SCADA operation

Shift teamwork

Problem-solving

Safety-first mindset

COMAH environment experience

Plant start-up & shut-down

Communication skills

Education

Process Operations qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent)

Job description

DCS Technician

Location: Darlington, Co Durham

Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time

Closing Date: Nov 30th, 2026

Ref: 1654674

The Opportunity

Wolviston Management Services are supporting a major process manufacturing client in the appointment of a DCS Technician to join their operations team during a key phase of commissioning, start-up and ongoing production. This is a critical control room position, playing a central role in ensuring the safe, stable and efficient operation of a large-scale production facility. You will be instrumental in driving operational performance, supporting plant start-up activities and maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. Working closely with Team Leaders, Lead Technicians and field-based operators, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-performing, safety-led environment while supporting the development of operational capability across the wider team.

The Role

Operating from the Control Room, you will take ownership of process monitoring, plant control and operational decision-making during commissioning and steady-state production. You will support plant start-up, verify system performance and ensure all activities are carried out in line with COMAH regulations, site procedures and best practice standards. This is a hands-on, technically focused role suited to an experienced process operator with strong DCS/SCADA knowledge and the ability to lead by example within a shift environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and control plant systems via DCS/SCADA, ensuring safe and efficient production
• Support commissioning and start-up activities, including execution of operational procedures
• Monitor plant performance, verifying alarms, trips and process parameters
• Deliver clear, structured and accurate shift handovers
• Promote and embed a strong safety culture aligned with COMAH and site standards
• Respond effectively to plant upsets and emergency situations, managing safety systems as required
• Coach and mentor operators, supporting cross-training and capability development
• Review and improve start-up and operational procedures to enhance performance and safety
• Maintain accurate production logs, reports and operational documentation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise plant efficiency and reliability

What We're Looking For

We are keen to speak with experienced Control Room or Process Technicians who can demonstrate:

• Proven experience operating DCS, PLC or SCADA systems within a process environment
• Background in chemical, petrochemical or other high-hazard industries
• Minimum 5 years' operational experience within a process plant setting
• Process Operations qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of plant start-up, shutdown and steady-state operations
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive and safety-first mindset
• Effective communication and the ability to work collaboratively within a shift team
• Experience within a COMAH-regulated environment (desirable)
• Flexibility to work continental shift patterns

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a pivotal stage of its operational journey. You will play a key role in shaping plant performance, supporting safe start-up and contributing to long-term operational success.