Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) in England

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Instrumentation, Control & Automation (ICA) or Control and Instrumentation (C&I) technician to join our Waste & Bioresources Operations team in Reading. This is a mobile role, where you would be required to work on various wastewater treatment works around the Reading area. We are looking for someone who can work in a safe, efficient, timely and effective manner with minimum supervision while maintaining the required standards to ensure that our statutory obligations are met and that asset availability and the associated performance measures are maintained to manufacturers' standards. An ICA Technician may also operate and optimise processes and on-site equipment to ensure delivery of water quality compliance, safety, and operational efficiencies both in and out of normal hours.

What you’ll be doing:

• Install, commission, maintain, and repair water production assets, including level instrumentation, flow meters, and Tand VM’s turbidity monitors.
• Work with technology, including SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, associated PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and Process control networks.
• Liaise with and supervise contractors and suppliers where necessary.
• Investigate asset failures and implement subsequent repairs quickly and efficiently to avoid interruptions to the waste treatment process.
• Provide specialist technical advice, remain up‑to‑date with technical knowledge, and provide training support for technical apprentices.

Base Location: Due to the nature of this role, travel to multiple sites will be required. You would be contractually based at Reading Sewage Treatment Works, RG2 0RP.

Working Pattern: 38 hours per week, Monday‑Friday, 7:30 am‑3:36 pm, plus standby & overtime opportunity. Increases earnings by a potential £8,000 – £10,000 upon completion of essential company training.

Equipment: All PPE, tools, a company van and a fuel card are provided. You must have knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Allen‑Bradley), including management and programming.

What you should bring to the role:

• Ideally, qualified to HNC level or otherwise NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in an instrumentation, control and automation discipline.
• Preferably, hold an 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification.
• Good, practical understanding of operational plant and control systems.
• Understanding of Wonderware and ClearSCADA is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Allen‑Bradley), including management and programming.
• Ability to read and fault‑find from circuit diagrams, and previous experience with inverter drives.
• Experience in calibration and maintenance of front‑line instrumentation.
• Problem‑solving skills, able to identify potential issues, implement solutions or escalate if required.
• Excellent communication, providing technical expertise to internal and external staff and contractors.
• Resilient, adapting to pressures of work and working in a constantly changing environment.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, under own initiative to design and standards.
• Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety issues relevant to the industry.
• Team player, able to work with many different teams, showing respect for others, providing helpful feedback and supporting the development of others.
• Full UK driving licence.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £57,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to benefits to support health, wellbeing and finances: annual health MOTs, access to physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

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.