Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA)

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Down Ampney; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 24 days

Company van provided

Overtime opportunities

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Thames Water Utilities Limited is seeking an Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) to join our Water Production team at Latton WTW. The role is hybrid with travel to surrounding sites and supports asset performance.

You will install, commission, maintain and repair instrumentation and control systems, work with SCADA and PLCs, liaise with contractors, and contribute to safety and water quality objectives.

Qualifications

• Qualified to HNC level or NVQ level 3 in instrumentation, control and automation.
• Desirable 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification.
• Understanding of ladder logic and PLCs; able to read circuit diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, maintain and repair water production assets including instrumentation.
• Work with SCADA systems, PLCs and process control networks.
• Liaise with and supervise contractors and suppliers as needed.
• Investigate asset failures and implement repairs to avoid interruptions to water supply.
• Provide specialist technical advice and training support for technical apprentices.

Skills

Instrumentation & automation

Ladder logic

PLC programming

Fault diagnosis

Communication

Health & safety

Driving licence

Teamwork

Education

HNC or NVQ level 3 in instrumentation, control & automation

Tools

SCADA systems

ClearSCADA

Job description

Job title Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) Ref 45609 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid - Latton (WTW) Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 38 hours per week, Mon - Fri, 7:30 am - 3:36pm Salary Offering up to £53,000 per annum depending on skills and experience. Closing date 22/09/2026

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Instrumentation, Control & Automation (ICA) or Control and Instrumentation (C&I) technician to join our Water Production team in Latton WTW.

This is a mobile role, where you would be required to work in day in your designated area of Cotswold and Swindon, however on emergency occasions, you may be asked to cover the wider patch of various Water treatment works, Boosters, Reservoirs around the West Thames Valley area, which includes the Oxford area if operational issues arise.

We are looking for someone who can work in a safe, efficient, timely and effective manner with minimum supervision while maintaining the required standards to ensure that our statutory obligations are met and that asset availability and the associated performance measures are maintained to manufacturers' standards.

An ICA Technician may also operate and optimise processes and on-site equipment to ensure delivery of water quality compliance, safety, and operational efficiencies both in and out of normal hours.

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

• The role would include installations, commissioning, maintenance, and repairs of water production assets, including level, Pressure, flow Instrumentation.
• Working with technology, including SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, associated PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and Process control networks.
• Liaise with and supervise contractors and suppliers where necessary.
• This vital role also involves the investigation into asset failures and the implementation of subsequent repairs as quickly and efficiently as possible to avoid interruptions to the water supply process.
• You will be responsible for providing specialist technical advice where appropriate, with up-to-date technical knowledge, and providing training support for technical apprentices.

Base Location

– Latton Water Treatment Works, Cirencester Road, Down Ampney, Cirencester, GL7 5QF. Due to the nature of this role, travel between various sites will be required.

Working Pattern:

38 hours per week Monday-Friday.7:30 am -3:36pm Plus standby & overtime opportunity, increasing earnings by a potential £8,000 - £10,000 upon completion of essential company training.

Equipment:

All PPE, tools, a company van and a fuel card are provided.

What you should bring to the role

• Ideally, you will be qualified to HNC level or otherwise NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in an instrumentation, control and automation discipline.
• Desirable for you to have an 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification.
• A good, practical understanding of operational plant and control systems is essential.
• An understanding of ClearSCADA and Telemetry outstations is desirable.
• Good foundational knowledge of Low Voltage (LV) systems desirable.
• Knowledge and experience working with Ladder 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 where available.
• 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 elevate 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.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary offering up to £53,000 per annum, depending on skills, experience and qualifications.
• Plus standby & overtime opportunity, increasing earnings by a potential £8,000 - £10,000 upon completion of essential company training.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.