Instrument Control Automation Technician (Control and Instrumentation Technician)

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Mill Green; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £47,000 p.a.

Pension scheme

Annual leave 24–28 days

Bank holidays included

Health & wellbeing benefits

Training and development

Job summary

Thames Water Utilities Limited is seeking an experienced Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician to support the Hatfield Sewage Pumping Team at Mill Green STW. You’ll cover around 270 pumping stations with a wide range of plant and equipment, gaining exposure to innovative systems and cross-skilling opportunities.

The role requires strong practical knowledge of control systems, PLCs, and instrumentation, with preference for HNC/NVQ3 qualifications and an 18th Edition certificate.

Qualifications

• Qualified to HNC level or NVQ3 in instrumentation, control and automation.
• 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification preferred.
• Good understanding of operational plant and control systems.
• Desirable: Wonderware and ClearSCADA knowledge.
• Experience with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Allen-Bradley).
• Ability to read circuit diagrams and fault-find; inverter drives experience.
• Calibration and maintenance of front-line instrumentation desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work on pumps and control equipment, actuated valves, penstocks and measurement systems.
• Maintain and calibrate instrumentation and calibration routines.
• Read diagrams and fault-find across control systems and PLCs.
• Provide technical support to internal and external teams and contractors.

Skills

Operational plant knowledge

Diagram reading

Problem solving

Communication

Education

HNC or NVQ3 in instrumentation, control & automation

Tools

Wonderware

ClearSCADA

Rockwell PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Inverter drives

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced instrumentation, control, and automation technician to join the Hatfield based Sewage pumping team at Mill Green STW. You will be working in and around the Hatfield and surrounding areas, covering approximately 270 pumping stations of different sizes and complexities, ensuring sewage is removed from customers properties as efficiently as possible. You will be part of a close-knit, high performing team with a variety of different skills and will gain experience on a wide range of plant and equipment some of which are unique and innovative. This role offers great learning potential with the ability to cross skill into other disciplines.

What you'll be doing as an Instrument Control Automation Technician (Control and Instrumentation Technician)

To assist in keeping such sites running, the instrumentation, control and automation role will enable you to work on various pumps and associated control equipment, automated actuated valves and penstocks, flow, level and pressure measurement, programmable logic controllers, variable speed drives and controls, chemical handling, and dosing equipment.

• Ideally, you will be qualified to HNC level or otherwise NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in an instrumentation, control and automation discipline.
• Preferably, for you to have an 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification.
• A good, practical understanding of operational plant and control systems is essential.
• An understanding of Wonderware and ClearSCADA is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Alan Bradley), which will include management and programming.
• The ideal candidate will have the ability to read and fault‑find from circuit diagrams, as well as have previous experience with inverter drives.
• We are looking for someone with experience in calibration and maintenance of front‑line instrumentation.
• A problem solver, able to identify potential issues and implement solutions, or escalated if required.
• An excellent communicator, providing technical expertise to Internal and External staff and contractors.
• Resilient, adapting to the pressures of work and working in a constantly changing environment.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, under own initiative to design and standards.
• Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety issues relevant to the industry.
• Team player who can work in many different teams, showing respect for others, providing helpful feedback and supporting the development of others.
• Full UK driving licence.

We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It's a big job and we've got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We're committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that's extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we're here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you'll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It's also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Working Pattern

Working Pattern: 38 hours per week Monday‑Friday. 7:30 am -3:36pm Plus overtime opportunity, increasing earnings by a potential £5,000 upon completion of essential company training.

• Competitive salary up to £47,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Contributory pension - Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay!
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family's health and wellbeing, and your finances - from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 days with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension - Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments - Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme, including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well‑being.