Head of Instrumentation & Automation Engineering

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £100,000

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Car Allowance

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Employee benefits and wellbeing

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Head of Instrumentation, Control & Automation Engineering to act as the senior technical authority for ICA. You will shape strategic automation, OT and digital engineering across assets, ensuring safety, reliability and efficiency.

Based in hybrid Reading location, you will lead ICA governance, set standards, and provide independent assurance across the asset lifecycle while influencing senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering relevant to Instrumentation, Control and Automation.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional standing.
• Significant experience leading ICA teams within regulated environments.
• Experience as Technical Authority, Discipline Lead or senior engineering role.
• Extensive knowledge of instrumentation, automation, SCADA, PLCs and telemetry.
• Experience developing standards, governance frameworks and assurance processes.

Responsibilities

• Establish ICA strategy, standards, specifications and policies.
• Act as Technical and Design Authority for Instrumentation, Control and Automation.
• Define long-term vision for control systems, OT and digital engineering.
• Provide independent technical assurance across the asset lifecycle.
• Review and approve complex ICA designs and solutions.
• Lead technical investigations and advise on engineering risks.
• Provide discipline leadership for AMP8 investment programme.
• Embed ICA requirements in project briefs and design work.
• Collaborate with Capital Delivery, Operations and partners to raise standards.
• Lead governance for Functional Safety and Safety Instrumented Systems.
• Promote new technologies and intelligent automation to improve safety and efficiency.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing ICA engineering team.
• Represent Thames Water in industry forums and regulatory discussions.

Skills

Strategic ICA leadership

Technical Authority

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Industrial control systems

SCADA, PLCs, telemetry

Asset lifecycle governance

Education

Degree in engineering

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Thames Water is seeking a Head of Instrumentation, Control & Automation Engineering to act as the senior technical authority for ICA. You will shape strategic automation, OT and digital engineering across assets, ensuring safety, reliability and efficiency.

Based in hybrid Reading location, you will lead ICA governance, set standards, and provide independent assurance across the asset lifecycle while influencing senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.