Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA)

idibu; Reading; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Annual leave 24-28 days

Performance-related pay

Cycle to Work

Life assurance

Personal medical assessments

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking an Instrument Control Automation Technician to join the Water Production team in Cleeve. The role covers installations, commissioning, maintenance and repairs of water production assets across sites with travel commitments across the West Thames Valley.

You will work with SCADA, PLCs, and control networks, providing specialist technical advice and training support while ensuring safety, reliability and regulatory compliance.

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; LV knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, service and repair water production assets including level instrumentation and flow meters.
• Work with SCADA systems, PLCs, and process control networks.
• Liaise with contractors and suppliers as required; investigate asset failures and implement repairs promptly.

Skills

Relay logic

PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley)

SCADA

Instrumentation experience

Communication skills

UK driving licence

Education

HNC/NVQ3 instrumentation

Tools

Wonderware

ClearSCADA

Job description

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 Cleeve.

This is a mobile role, where you would be required to work during the day in your designated area of south Oxford; however, on emergency occasions, you may be asked to cover the wider patch of various water treatment works around the West Thames Valley, including Cotswolds, Swindon and the wider Oxford area.

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 instrumentation, flow meters, and Tand VM’s turbidity monitors.
• 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

Cleeve WTW, Springhill Road, Cleeve, Reading, RG8 0BY. 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 -3:36 pm 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.

You must have Knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Allen-Bradley), which will include management and programming.

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.
• 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.
• Good foundational knowledge of Low Voltage (LV) systems.
• Knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Allen-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 accelerate 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Who are we?

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. Its 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 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.