At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a skilled team to maintain and optimise operational technology in water services.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, health benefits, training opportunities, and a competitive pension.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate uniqueness and foster an inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential infrastructure while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong background in industrial control systems and experience in team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
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. Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Make a Difference Where Technology Meets Essential Services Are you an experienced Operational Technology (OT), ICA or Automation professional looking for an opportunity to lead a skilled team while helping deliver critical services to millions of customers? We're looking for an OT Maintenance Manager to lead the maintenance, performance, resilience and security of our operational technology assets across water and wastewater treatment operations. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine technical expertise, people leadership and continuous improvement in a role that directly supports essential infrastructure across our region.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading and developing a high-performing team of OT and ICA professionals
- Managing planned and reactive maintenance activities to maximise asset availability and performance
- Building strong relationships with operational teams to understand priorities and site criticality
- Driving the maintenance, reliability and optimisation of instrumentation, control and automation systems
- Providing technical leadership and support on complex operational issues and incidents
- Using data, trend analysis and root cause investigations to improve system reliability and inform investment decisions
- Supporting OT governance, cyber security and compliance requirements
- Ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing across your team
- Managing budgets and contributing to operational and capital expenditure planning
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives and the development of future OT capabilities
What we are looking for:
- Strong background in industrial control systems, automation or ICA maintenance
- Experience working with process control and electrical systems
- Knowledge of PLCs, programming, industrial communications and instrumentation maintenance
- Experience within drinking water, wastewater or similar industrial process environments
- Understanding of risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work
- Strong technical problem-solving and fault-finding capabilities
- Experience leading teams and driving performance
- Full UK driving licence
- Eligible to successfully complete UK Security Clearance (SC)
Qualifications:
- Minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent), including Mathematics, English and a Science subject
- Relevant industrial control, instrumentation, electrical or automation qualification/apprenticeship
- ONC/HNC or equivalent in a related discipline
- Compliance with current IEE regulations
Desirable:
- IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
- Supervisory or management qualification
- Experience within Critical National Infrastructure environments
- Previous ICA maintenance leadership experience
- Experience managing telemetry, instrumentation and operational technology assets
Why join us? This is an opportunity to play a vital role in maintaining and modernising critical infrastructure while leading a talented team of specialists. You'll have the opportunity to influence technology strategy, develop people, and help shape the future of operational technology across the business.
Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays
Jobs need car
Discretionary bonus
Competitive contributory pension
Share-save scheme
Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
Group discounts
Cycle to Work scheme
Financial support services
Development and training opportunities… and much more!
Closing Date: 4th September 2026
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.
OT Maintenance Manager South West Water · Redruth employer: AquaCare, Company
As a Software Engineering Manager at South West Water, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to delivering impactful digital solutions that enhance critical business operations. Located in Exeter, the company offers a supportive work culture with flexible working options, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits, including a pension scheme and healthcare support, ensuring that employees are valued and have opportunities for growth and development in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land OT Maintenance Manager South West Water · Redruth
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like AquaCare, Company!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the OT Maintenance Manager South West Water · Redruth position at AquaCare, Company, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when AquaCare, Company is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted OT Maintenance Manager South West Water · Redruth role at AquaCare, Company!
We think you need these skills to ace OT Maintenance Manager South West Water · Redruth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to AquaCare, Company and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at AquaCare, Company
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to AquaCare, Company.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at AquaCare, Company, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
