Utilities Operations Engineer – High Voltage AP (SAP) – Reading

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: Basic Salary up to £55,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience). Overtime is not guaranteed but is frequently available.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. Flexible working may be offered on a temporary basis. Requests will be considered where possible; however, all arrangements must meet business needs and cannot be guaranteed.

As a Utilities Operations Engineer, you will play a key role in the safe operation, maintenance, and delivery of contractor works across your designated Electrical Network area. Holding Authorised Person appointments, you will carry out switching operations, manage safety documentation, and ensure the ongoing reliability and safety of critical infrastructure. This is a hands-on role where your technical expertise and judgement directly support operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Produce and review switching schedules and safety programmes for HV/LV network operations.
• Issue and receive safety documentation (e.g. Permits to Work, Certificates of Isolation, Sanctions for Test, Limitations of Access, outage requests).
• Maintain accurate records of switching operations within EDOR (Electrical Distribution Operations Record).
• Take responsibility for electrical safety within your appointed area.
• Safely operate, maintain, and manage electrical equipment under your control.
• Provide direction and oversight when managing works delivered by staff or contractors.
• Ensure timely communication of network failures to Operations/Network Managers and relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake Authorised Person duties within the limits of your appointment.
• Prepare, review, and implement Safe Systems of Work.
• Act as Work Supervisory Officer where required.
• Deputise for the Operations Manager when needed.

Requirements:

• Technician Apprenticeship or ONC/NVQ with suitable additional experience.
• A background as an experienced electrician.

Desirable Experience:

• Operating high voltage switchgear.
• Engineering capability across relevant networks, comprising a range of infrastructure facilities and associated plant and equipment.
• Utilities or building services delivery across a large portfolio of buildings.
• Supporting engineering services throughout the asset lifecycle.
• Providing utilities engineering insight to support operational decision-making.

Personal Development at AWE:

Experienced electricians without HV Training may be considered for an improver role – we will review your experience and align to the most appropriate role.

What you’ll bring:

You’re calm under pressure, organised, and able to respond effectively in a changing priority environment. You take ownership of your work, apply sound judgement, and bring a proactive and flexible approach to your role.

Benefits:

• 9-day working fortnight – every other Friday off, plus 270 hours annual leave.
• Market-leading pension scheme – AWE contributes 9% to 13% of your pensionable pay.
• Family-friendly policies – including 39 weeks full pay for maternity and 4 weeks full pay for paternity leave.
• Professional development – including funding for professional memberships.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life assurance – 4x annual salary, with the option to increase.
• Retail and lifestyle discounts.
• Special leave policy – including volunteering, public service, and caring responsibilities.

The ‘Working at AWE’ page on our website is where you can find full details in the ‘AWE Benefits Guide’.

Important Information:

You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.

We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process. Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, it is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston / Burghfield.