Systems Optimisation Engineer (Water)

Jobs.co.uk; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26 days

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Systems Optimisation Engineer (Water) in London to manage a defined hydraulic zone of the potable water network, serving hundreds of thousands of properties. The role is full-time and requires applying hydraulic expertise to meet operational and regulatory targets, leading technical input on projects and acting as system operations lead during emergencies.

You will collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation, demonstrate strong analytical and problem‑solving

Qualifications

• Experience with hydraulic principles and modelling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical input into engineering and customer-led projects.
• Act as system operations lead during unplanned emergency events.
• Write/assess risk assessments for hydraulic systems.
• Support monitoring and management of hydraulic zones.
• Design/update water pressure zone schematics.
• Assess new connections or development requests.

Skills

Hydraulic principles

Hydraulic modelling

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

About The Role Based in London, the Systems Optimisation Engineer (Water) will manage a defined hydraulic zone of Thames Water's potable supply network, typically serving hundreds of thousands of properties. Working full time, the postholder applies technical expertise in hydraulic operations to meet operational and regulatory targets. Duties include leading technical input on engineering and customer-driven projects, and acting as system operations lead during unplanned emergency events to reduce customer impact. The position involves regular contact with stakeholders throughout the organisation. Candidates should possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, hydraulic modelling knowledge, and clear communication skills. Salary ranges from £39,770 to £45,000 annually, dependent on skills and experience.

About The Role Based in London, the Systems Optimisation Engineer (Water) will manage a defined hydraulic zone of Thames Water's potable supply network, typically serving hundreds of thousands of properties. Working full time, the postholder applies technical expertise in hydraulic operations to meet operational and regulatory targets. Duties include leading technical input on engineering and customer-driven projects, and acting as system operations lead during unplanned emergency events to reduce customer impact. The position involves regular contact with stakeholders throughout the organisation. Candidates should possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, hydraulic modelling knowledge, and clear communication skills. Salary ranges from £39,770 to £45,000 annually, dependent on skills and experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a busy operational environment, within a high-profile team where contacts are made with multiple stakeholders across the business.

The System Optimisation Engineer is responsible for a geographical & hydraulic system area of the Thames Water potable water system, typically serving hundreds of thousands of properties, who is tasked to use their technical expertise of hydraulic system operations towards achieving key operational and regulatory targets.

What you’ll be doing as a Systems Optimisation Engineer (Water)

• Leading the technical operational input into engineering and customer-led projects.
• Be the technical system operations lead on unplanned emergency events with a view to mitigating against adverse effects to the customer, Interruptions to supply, water quality, and brand image.
• Write and assess risk assessments for the work impacting the clean water hydraulic system.
• Support monitoring of pressure-managed areas and management of information.
• Formulating operating strategies in conjunction with the operational control centre.
• Design and update line schematics of water pressure zones and the hydraulic systems, to help management and investigation of issues.
• Assess and approve all new connections or development requests coming from the customer.

Base location: London – Deephams (N9 0BA) & Ashford Common (TW15 1RU), however, additional travel to other sites across London may be required.

Working pattern or hours:

36 Hours per week (Mon – Fri) with the inclusion on a standby rota for which you will receive additional payment.

What should you bring to the role?

• Hold industry-relevant experience and in-depth knowledge of hydraulic principles.
• Have a thorough understanding of the Water Industries regulatory measures relating to customer satisfaction, leakage, water quality, customer low pressures and interruptions.
• Having strong communication and leadership skills is required when negotiating or liaising with different stakeholders in this role.
• Have good analytical, problem-solving, and negotiating skills and an extreme willingness to learn and work hard to drive their career within Thames Water.

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring:

• Ideally, be a degree-educated graduate in a suitable technical discipline like Engineering or equivalent.

What’s in it for you?

• This role will be paid from £39,770 to £45,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Annual Leave: 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Pension: Maximum of 12% = 2x employee contribution.
• 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.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

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. 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.

Working at Thames Water

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.