Thermal Hydrolysis Process Technician

About the role:

We have an excellent opportunity for a Thermal Hydrolysis Process Technician to join our Maintenance team at our Chertsey Sewage Treatment Works. As the successful candidate, you will be responsible for monitoring, inspecting and maintaining equipment, and reporting any defective items to ensure a swift repair or attempting a first‑time fix yourself where possible. You will work closely with other site teams to ensure the smooth running and production of a good‑quality biosolids product, which is used to generate green energy and is then recycled back to land.

There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint.

What you’ll be doing as the Thermal Hydrolysis Process Technician

• The operation of sludge digesters, boilers, high‑pressure/temperature reactors, power generation plants and equipment.
• Sampling, testing, basic maintenance and fault‑finding of the plant and equipment.
• Gathering performance data to ensure the plant operates efficiently and that statutory and regulatory compliance is met.
• Undertake safety and security checks and housekeeping, as well as close communication and liaison with the wider site team.
• You will also be responsible for the effluent stream for the STW.

Base Location: Chertsey Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

Working Pattern: 38 Hours Monday‑Friday 7:30 am – 3:36 pm plus standby & overtime opportunity for which you will receive additional payment.

All PPE and tools are provided.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:

• Be able to demonstrate confidence, flexibility, initiative, problem‑solving skills, ability to work with your hands and a willingness to learn.
• If you can already demonstrate knowledge and/or experience of working with boilers and energy generation plants, or process equipment such as pumps and gearboxes, that would be beneficial.
• Be prepared to be trained in safety procedures, including confined space entry and boiler operation accreditation.
• Have basic literacy and numeracy skills, and some computer data input or enquiry experience is desirable, but not essential, as well as the completion of NVQ level 2 units as a minimum (or equivalent).
• A full current driving licence is essential for this role.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive salary up to £35,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Standby rota payments & overtime opportunities can increase this earning potential after training.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 days with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution – Maximum of 12% – 2× employee contribution.
• 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.

Find out more about our benefits and perks.

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.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

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.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.