First Line Maintenance Operator

South West Water Limited; Totnes; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Discretionary Bonus

Competitive Contributory Pension

Share-save Scheme

Wellbeing support programmes

Cycle to Work Scheme

Group Discounts

Health benefits

Job summary

South West Water Limited is seeking a practical, motivated First Line Maintenance Operative to join the M&E team at Totnes/Plymouth. You will perform planned maintenance, inspections and asset checks to maximise reliability and service continuity across wastewater sites.

The role requires strong mechanical aptitude, a safety-focused attitude and a willingness to learn. A full UK driving licence is essential, with opportunities to grow technical knowledge through on-site training and team

Qualifications

• Strong mechanical aptitude with a proactive safety focus.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to work across multiple sites.
• Willingness to learn, develop skills and take ownership of work.
• Good communication and teamwork to coordinate with M&E and operations teams.
• Experience in maintenance environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance on mechanical assets.
• Perform routine inspections, lubrication and adjustments.
• Identify defects and escalate issues before failures occur.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and data.
• Support asset registration and data improvements through MADE system.
• Collaborate with workshop and mobile maintenance teams.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Full UK driving licence

Safety-conscious

Willingness to learn

Teamwork & communication

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Mechanical Engineering

5 GCSEs including Maths, English and Science (grade 4/C or above)

Tools

MADE system

Maintenance management systems

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Location

Totnes & Plymouth

Team

Wastewater Services (WWS) M&E

Help keep our wastewater assets running safely and reliably

Position

We’re looking for a practical, motivated and mechanically minded First Line Maintenance Operative to join our Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in maintenance, engineering and asset management. You'll play a key role in carrying out planned preventative maintenance across our wastewater treatment sites and pumping stations, helping to maximise asset availability, improve reliability and support essential wastewater services.

What You'll Be Doing

As a First Line Maintenance Operative, you'll support the delivery of our maintenance programme by carrying out routine inspections, maintenance activities and asset checks across our operational sites. You'll work closely with colleagues across Wastewater Operations and M&E teams, helping to ensure our assets remain safe, reliable and efficient.

Key Responsibilities

• Carrying out planned preventative maintenance on mechanical assets.
• Performing routine inspections, lubrication, fluid checks and equipment adjustments.
• Identifying asset defects and escalating issues before they become failures.
• Applying first-line maintenance techniques to improve asset reliability.
• Maintaining accurate maintenance records and work completion data.
• Supporting asset registration and asset data improvements through the MADE system.
• Working collaboratively with workshop and mobile maintenance teams.
• Adhering to all health, safety and environmental procedures.
• Undertaking training and development activities to build technical knowledge and competence.
• Contributing to the delivery of a safe, reliable and effective wastewater service.

What We're Looking For

• Strong mechanical aptitude.
• Full UK driving licence.
• A proactive and safety-focused approach to work.
• Willingness to learn, develop and take responsibility for work under your control.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Mechanical Engineering, relevant experience, or willingness to achieve this within an agreed timeframe.
• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths, English and Science at Grade 4/C or above.
• Experience working within maintenance, engineering, utilities or operational environments.
• Experience of wastewater treatment processes or pumping stations.
• Understanding of maintenance schedules, safe systems of work and RAMS.
• Experience using maintenance management systems and completing maintenance records.
• Computer literacy and confidence using digital systems.

Why join us

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable engineering and maintenance experience while supporting critical wastewater infrastructure. You'll receive ongoing training and development, work alongside experienced professionals and play an important role in delivering reliable services for customers and communities.

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• A discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Share-save Scheme
• Various health benefits
• Wellbeing support programmes
• A range of Group Discounts
• Cycle to Work Schemes

Closing Date

4th November 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Core Values

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.