Operational Technology (OT) Engineer

South West Water; Exeter; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance plus bank-h

Discretionary Bonus

Competitive Pension

Share-save Scheme

Health benefits

Wellbeing support programmes

Group Discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Financial support services

Job summary

South West Water in Exeter is seeking an Operational Technology Engineer to maintain and enhance the OT stack across our water and wastewater network. You will work hands-on with PLCs, SCADA, HMI, and telemetry, delivering reliable systems that support essential services.

Join a team focused on safety, cyber security, and regulatory compliance while collaborating with operations, IT, and external contractors on capital and daily projects.

Qualifications

• Experience with OT systems including PLCs, SCADA, HMI and telemetry.
• Experience in live operational support, fault diagnosis and recovery.
• Attention to detail with commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design, install, configure, and maintain OT systems powering water operations.
• Ensure OT infrastructure is secure, compliant, and reliable.
• Collaborate with operations, IT and contractors on projects.
• Diagnose issues and optimise control strategies for performance.

Skills

PLC/SCADA/HMI

Telemetry networks

Industrial comms

OT support

Fault diagnosis

Cyber security

Safety compliance

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Join the Flow of Innovation with South West Water – Operational Technology (OT) Engineer Role

Are you ready to dive into the world of Operational Technology (OT) and play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of critical water and wastewater services? At South West Water, we’re looking for an OT Engineer to help us maintain the flow of essential services, ensuring our systems are as reliable as the water we provide.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Hands-On OT Engineering: From PLCs and SCADA systems to industrial communications and instrumentation – you’ll manage it all! Design, install, configure, and maintain OT systems that power our essential water and wastewater operations.
• Resilient and Secure Systems: Be at the forefront of ensuring our OT infrastructure is compliant, secure, and built to last – supporting water and wastewater services that keep our communities flowing.
• Collaboration Across Teams: Work closely with operational teams, IT, and third-party contractors to ensure smooth project delivery, from capital investment to day-to-day operational support.
• Continuous Improvement: From diagnostics to optimising control strategies, you’ll be helping us streamline our systems to ensure top-tier performance.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in OT systems, including PLCs, SCADA, HMI, telemetry, and industrial communications networks.
• Experience in operational support, fault diagnosis, and system recovery in live environments.
• An eye for detail, a passion for safety, and a commitment to regulatory compliance – including cyber security, health, and safety standards.

The Perks Of Joining Us

• Exciting Challenges: Every day brings a new technical challenge, from solving complex issues in live OT systems to improving overall service delivery.
• A Career That Grows with You: Develop your skills and progress through structured training and continuous professional development.
• Making a Real Impact: Play a crucial role in delivering resilient and safe water and wastewater services to the South West.

In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• A discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Share-save Scheme
• Various health benefits
• Wellbeing support programmes
• A range of Group Discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Financial support services
• And plenty more!

Closing Date: 28th August 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Given the critical nature of this role, successful candidates will be required to undergo a thorough security vetting process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid

- Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You

- We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future

- Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.