At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage OT systems, ensuring reliable water and wastewater services through hands-on engineering.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pension, health benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Exciting challenges and career growth opportunities await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential services while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with OT systems, PLCs, SCADA, and a passion for safety and compliance.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ 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. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Join the Flow of Innovation with South West Water – Operational Technology (OT) Engineer Role. Are you ready to dive into the world of Operational Technology (OT) and play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of critical water and wastewater services? At South West Water, we’re looking for an OT Engineer to help us maintain the flow of essential services, ensuring our systems are as reliable as the water we provide.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Hands-On OT Engineering: From PLCs and SCADA systems to industrial communications and instrumentation – you’ll manage it all! Design, install, configure, and maintain OT systems that power our essential water and wastewater operations.
- Resilient and Secure Systems: Be at the forefront of ensuring our OT infrastructure is compliant, secure, and built to last – supporting water and wastewater services that keep our communities flowing.
- Collaboration Across Teams: Work closely with operational teams, IT, and third-party contractors to ensure smooth project delivery, from capital investment to day-to-day operational support.
- Continuous Improvement: From diagnostics to optimising control strategies, you’ll be helping us streamline our systems to ensure top-tier performance.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience in OT systems, including PLCs, SCADA, HMI, telemetry, and industrial communications networks.
- Experience in operational support, fault diagnosis, and system recovery in live environments.
- An eye for detail, a passion for safety, and a commitment to regulatory compliance – including cyber security, health, and safety standards.
The Perks of Joining Us:
- Exciting Challenges: Every day brings a new technical challenge, from solving complex issues in live OT systems to improving overall service delivery.
- A Career That Grows with You: Develop your skills and progress through structured training and continuous professional development.
- Making a Real Impact: Play a crucial role in delivering resilient and safe water and wastewater services to the South West.
In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
- A discretionary Bonus
- Competitive Contributory Pension
- Share-save Scheme
- Various health benefits
- Wellbeing support programmes
- A range of Group Discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Financial support services
- And plenty more!
Closing Date: 17th June 2026. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process. Given the critical nature of this role, successful candidates will be required to undergo a thorough security vetting process.
Operational Technology (OT) Engineer employer: Pennon Group
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets purpose. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through structured training and development opportunities, while our focus on sustainability allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community. With competitive benefits, a supportive culture, and the chance to work amidst the stunning landscapes of the South West, joining our team as an Operational Technology Engineer means being part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to a greener future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Technology (OT) Engineer
✨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 Pennon Group!
✨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 Operational Technology (OT) Engineer position at Pennon Group, 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 Pennon Group 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 Operational Technology (OT) Engineer role at Pennon Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Technology (OT) Engineer
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 Pennon Group 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 Pennon Group
✨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 Pennon Group.
✨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 Pennon Group, 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.
