Instrumentation Field Service Engineer

United Utilities; Freckleton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26 days

Pension up to 14%

Bonus scheme 7.5%

Healthcare plan

Gym discounts

Best Doctors

Life cover

Employee assistance

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an Instrumentation Field Service Engineer for Preston Wastewater Treatment Works, Freckleton, PR4 0XE. You will deliver high-quality instrumentation maintenance and technical support across our operations.

The role requires practical fault diagnosis, installation work and proactive maintenance in a fast-paced environment, with a mix of independent and team-based tasks. A time-served apprenticeship and full UK driving licence are essential.

Qualifications

• recognised apprenticeship or equivalent with relevant academic qualifications.
• Experience in instrumentation, electrical maintenance or engineering in field-based/utilities environments.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality instrumentation maintenance and installation to keep assets operating.
• Diagnose faults across instrumentation and systems-based equipment.
• Carry out proactive and planned maintenance to prevent issues.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety and internal procedures.
• Provide asset performance data for corporate systems.
• Analyse recurring issues and recommend long-term solutions.

Skills

Instrumentation maintenance

Electrical systems

Fault diagnosis

Team player

Driving licence

Education

Time-served apprenticeship

Tools

Safety procedures

Job description

Job number UU06231 Country United Kingdom Region Lancashire Location name Preston Wastewater Treatment Works, Clifton Marsh, Lytham Road, Freckleton, Preston, PR4 0XE Posting End Date 02/09/2026 Band 6a Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary £40,232

The Role

Are you ready for a hands‑on role where no two days are the same? Joining us as an Instrumentation Field Service Engineer, you’ll play a crucial part in keeping our sites running smoothly by delivering expert maintenance and technical support across our operations.

Working in a fast‑paced and modern maintenance environment, you’ll be right at the centre of proactive, planned, and reactive support—making a real impact every single day. You’ll help us stay compliant with company, statutory and regulatory standards, all while supporting the protection of our environment.

You’ll also shape the future of our assets by contributing to key capital and operational projects, ensuring what we build today performs reliably tomorrow.

This role offers the perfect balance of independence and teamwork—sometimes you’ll be out working alone, other times you’ll collaborate closely with a supportive, skilled team.

A note about skills and development

You’ll join us as an Instrumentation Engineer (single skill) from day one.
But don’t worry—if your goal is to develop into a flexi‑skilled engineer, we’ll fully support you.

Please note

• This role involves working in confined spaces
• You’ll take part in an out‑of‑hours standby rota, so flexibility is essential

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver high-quality, efficient instrumentation maintenance and installation work to keep assets operating at their best
• Diagnose and resolve faults with accuracy across instrumentation and systems‑based equipment
• Carry out proactive and planned maintenance activities to prevent issues before they happen
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety regulations and internal procedures
• Maintain effective budget and cost control
• Provide clear, accurate asset performance and repair data to feed into our corporate systems
• Analyse recurring issues and recommend long‑term solutions.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship

What You'll Bring

• A recognised, time‑served apprenticeship (or equivalent) supported by relevant academic qualifications
• Full UK driving licence (mobile field‑based role)
• Proven experience in an instrumentation, electrical maintenance, or engineering role—ideally in a field‑based or utilities/process environment
• Strong diagnostic and fault‑finding capability across instrumentation, controls and electrical systems
• Understanding of flow, level, pressure or other measurable instrumentation—particularly within water, wastewater or similar process industries
• Solid working knowledge of safe systems of work, risk assessments and permit‑to‑work processes
• A team player—comfortable working independently but always maintaining strong communication with colleagues and on‑site teams.

What We Offer

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance‑related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company‑funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Salary - £40,232
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Preston Wastewater Treatment Works, Clifton Marsh, Lytham Road, Freckleton, Preston, PR4 0XE
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long‑term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.