Field Engineer – Controls & Automation (Water Utilities)

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

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.