Process Control Technician in Exeter

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 support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

About the Role: As a Process Control Technician, you will play a vital role in ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of drinking water to our customers. Working within the Central Process Control Team, you will remotely monitor, manage, and optimise water treatment works and the strategic distribution network using advanced control and monitoring technologies. This is a dynamic operational role where you will analyse data, respond to alarms and incidents, coordinate network operations, and work closely with field teams to maintain water quality, supply resilience, and operational efficiency. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative process improvements while supporting environmental objectives through effective management of energy, chemicals, and water resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor and control water treatment and distribution assets through SCADA and associated systems.
• Coordinate water production and network operations to maintain customer service, water quality, and supply standards.
• Respond to operational alarms and incidents, ensuring timely escalation and coordination with field-based teams.
• Analyse process and network performance data to identify optimisation opportunities and mitigate operational risks.
• Support incident management by providing technical information and operational guidance.
• Ensure operational reports, logs, and handover documentation are completed accurately and on time.
• Work collaboratively with production, network, strategy, energy, and asset performance teams to optimise system performance.
• Support abstraction planning and resource management to ensure adequate raw water availability.
• Coordinate operational activities in line with company procedures and authorisation protocols.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of control room processes, technologies, and ways of working.
• Participate in shift rotas and provide additional operational cover where required.

What We're Looking For:

Essential Qualifications:

• GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths, English, and a Science subject.
• Strong IT and data analysis skills.
• Ability to interpret technical information and make informed operational decisions.

Desirable Qualifications:

• HND or equivalent technical qualification in: Water treatment operations, Network operations, Engineering, or a similar technical discipline.

Essential Experience:

• Experience within a technically demanding operational environment.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Experience working with operational systems, process monitoring, or control technologies.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to changing priorities.

Desirable Experience:

• Water treatment operations.
• Water distribution network operations.
• Utility, industrial process, or infrastructure environments.
• SCADA or remote monitoring systems.

Key Skills & Behaviours:

• Communicates effectively with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Can prioritise workload and make sound decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Remains calm, focused, and resilient during incidents and operational events.
• Takes ownership and accountability for delivering results.
• Works effectively with minimal supervision.
• Embraces change and contributes positively to continuous improvement.
• Supports a collaborative and inclusive team culture.
• Is committed to ongoing learning and professional development.

Shift patterns are required for this position, the shift times would be: 2x morning shifts: 06:30 - 15:00, 2x afternoon shifts: 14:30 - 23:00, 2x night shifts: 22:30 - 07:00. This would consist of 6 days on and then 4 days off.

Closing Date: 13th Aug 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding 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 every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
• Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.