Instrumentation Operations Technician

National Gas; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Performance bonus

Car scheme

26 days holiday

Life assurance

Job summary

National Gas is seeking an Instrumentation Operations Technician to maintain and operate critical gas transmission assets across the East Region. Responsibilities include installation, inspection, commissioning, maintenance, repair, and emergency response to ensure safe and reliable operation of the National Transmission System.

This safety-critical role requires expert instrumentation knowledge, fault diagnosis, and strict adherence to permit-to-work procedures, with regular travel from Essex

Qualifications

• Maintenance and operational experience in instrumentation, electronics, or control systems.
• Fault diagnosis, maintenance, calibration, inspection, and repair in oil, gas, or similar industrial environment.
• Experience with equipment installed in hazardous areas.
• Experience in safe systems of work and permit-to-work environments.
• Time-served apprenticeship or engineering training scheme.
• BTEC National Certificate, NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds or equivalent.
• Willingness to participate in standby and emergency response activities.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Install, inspect, commission, maintain, repair, and operate gas transmission assets.
• Diagnose instrumentation and control faults to keep plant running.
• Apply safe systems of work and issue isolation permits.
• Support construction, commissioning, upgrades on assets.
• Keep accurate records for regulatory and business needs.
• Monitor contractor activities for safety and standards.
• Support emergency response and incident management.

Skills

Maintenance

Fault diagnosis

Hazardous areas

Safe systems of work

Driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 3 / City & Guilds

Tools

Hazardous area equipment

Instrumentation equipment

Control systems

Job description

£44,642 to £49,894 + up to 6% bonus + access to liveried vehicle

• Opportunity to earn up to an additional 10-15% through overtime and standby

Location: Chelmsford

Working pattern: On site, 5 days a week
Travel: Regular travel, covering sites from Essex through to the Thames Estuary
Location requirement: Based within reasonable travelling distance of Chelmsford

About us

At National Gas, the work we do matters.

As Britain's national gas network, we help keep the lights on, businesses running, and homes warm by maintaining the critical infrastructure that transports gas across Great Britain. While providing the energy security Britain relies on today, we're also helping transform the network for a clean energy future.

Join us and help secure Britain's energy.

About the role

We're looking for an Instrumentation Operations Technician to help maintain and operate critical gas transmission assets across the East Region. You'll undertake installation, inspection, commissioning, maintenance, repair, and emergency response activities that support the safe and reliable operation of the National Transmission System.

This role offers the opportunity to apply specialist instrumentation expertise within a safety-critical operational environment.

Why this role matters

The East Region is responsible for supporting the safe and reliable transportation of gas through vital national infrastructure. As an Instrumentation Operations Technician, you'll help maintain the performance, integrity, and reliability of key operational assets across compressor stations, pipelines, and Above Ground Installations (AGIs).

Your expertise will support safe operations, asset performance, emergency preparedness, and the successful delivery of maintenance and improvement activities across the network.

What you'll be doing

• Carry out installation, inspection, commissioning, maintenance, repair, and operational activities on gas transmission assets
• Diagnose instrumentation and control system faults to maintain reliable plant operation
• Apply safe systems of work, issue permission documents, and implement isolations in line with operational procedures
• Support construction, commissioning, replacement, and upgrade projects across operational assets
• Maintain accurate operational, maintenance, and asset records to meet regulatory and business requirements
• Monitor third-party activities and contractor work to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards
• Support emergency response activities, security arrangements, standby duties, and operational incident management

What you’ll bring

You'll be an instrumentation engineering professional with experience maintaining and fault-finding on industrial process control and instrumentation systems.

Essential

• Proven maintenance and operational experience within an instrumentation, electronics, or control systems discipline
• Experience undertaking fault diagnosis, maintenance, calibration, inspection, and repair activities within the oil and gas, process, or similar industrial environment
• Experience working on equipment installed in hazardous areas
• Experience operating within safe systems of work and permit-to-work environments
• Time-served apprenticeship or recognised engineering training scheme in a relevant discipline
• BTEC National Certificate, NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds qualification, or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline
• Willingness to participate in standby arrangements and emergency response activities
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• CompEx EX01-04 Hazardous Equipment certification
• Experience of instrumentation, telemetry, control systems, or process automation equipment
• Experience supporting commissioning and plant modification projects
• Understanding of relevant instrumentation and control legislation and standards
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems associated with process plant operations

Security clearance

This role is subject to National Security Vetting (NSV). Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC) throughout their employment. For further information, visit GOV.UK (UK Security Vetting: Clearance Levels).

What we offer

• Market-leading double-match pension (up to 12% company contribution)
• Annual performance bonus up to 6%
• Access to the Tusker salary sacrifice car scheme
• 26 days holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• 10x salary life assurance and income protection

  Inclusive recruitment

  We're building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, championing diversity, and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

  National Gas is a Disability Confident employer and signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.