At a Glance
- Tasks: Carry out electrical repairs and maintenance across Drinking Water and Waste Water sites.
- Company: South West Water is part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy 23–27 days’ holiday plus 8 bank holidays and a competitive contributory pension.
- Other info: Position based in Barnstaple with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Join a purpose-driven team focused on sustainability and community impact.
- Qualifications: Must have completed an apprenticeship and comply with 18th Edition IEE Regulations.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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.
We’re looking for an Electrical Craftsperson to join our Barnstaple team. If you enjoy problem-solving, take pride in delivering high-quality work and want a role that offers variety, autonomy and impact, this is a fantastic opportunity. You’ll work across both Drinking Water and Waste Water operational sites, owning the maintenance, repair and fault diagnosis of a range of electrical and control assets. Your expertise will help ensure our services are safe, sustainable and reliable for our customers and communities.
What you’ll be doing:
- Carrying out electrical repairs, maintenance and fault diagnosis across a variety of sites and assets
- Working with electrical, control and process systems to ensure risks to our customers are minimised
- Supporting both planned and reactive maintenance activities
- Collaborating with multi-disciplinary field teams
- Liaising with site teams and stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of works
- Completing and updating engineering documentation to support operational performance
- Identifying opportunities for asset preservation, prevention of future faults and long-term improvement
- Following ISO, health safety and compliance standards
- Prioritising and organising workload efficiently within the maintenance delivery model
- Undertaking training to continuously improve technical and safety skills
What we’re looking for:
- Essential: Completed apprenticeship supported by relevant technical qualifications (City Guilds, BTEC, ONC/HNC/HND)
- Compliance with current 18th Edition IEE Regulations
- Strong experience in fault finding three-phase electrical systems
- Full UK driving licence
- Desirable: City Guilds Inspect Test 2391-10
- Industrial or commercial electrical experience
- Knowledge of VSDs, soft starts and motor control systems
- Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams
- Experience working with RAMS
- Strong understanding of LV systems (415 Vac to 24 Vac/DC)
What’s in it for you?
At South West Water, everyone plays a part in making amazing things happen. As well as joining a supportive and purpose-driven team, you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits:
- 23–27 days’ holiday plus 8 bank holidays
- The option to buy or sell annual leave
- Up to 13 additional days of holiday through rota days
- Free parking at most sites
- Cycle to Work scheme
- 26 weeks’ additional maternity leave
- Shared parental leave options
- Employee share schemes (Pennon Group plc)
- Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to Champion Health wellbeing platform
- Free eye tests + Specsavers discounts
- Thousands of deals via Pennon Perks (shopping, travel, entertainment, gyms more)
- Discretionary bonus
- Competitive contributory pension
- And plenty more
If you’re ready for a new challenge and want to build a career with a business that values you, click Apply Now to become our next Electrical Craftsperson. We look forward to receiving your application.
Closing Date: 1st July 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.
Electrical Engineer in Devon employer: South West Water
South West Water, located in the stunning South West of the UK, offers a supportive environment with benefits like free parking and a Cycle to Work scheme. The team is dedicated to sustainability, aiming to lower carbon footprints and improve water quality through various initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Electrical Engineer in Devon
✨Get Hands-On at Local Workshops
Don’t miss out on local engineering workshops and hackathons! They’re a brilliant way to learn something new, meet fellow aspiring engineers, and often, company reps will be scouting for fresh talent. Plus, you can mention your hands-on experiences at these events during your interviews!
✨Join Engineering Societies and Clubs
Get involved with engineering societies at your school or in your area. These communities often host talks, networking events, and even competitions, which can open doors to apprenticeship opportunities. Plus, chatting with industry professionals is never a bad idea!
✨Show Off Your Passion Online
Consider starting a blog or a social media account where you can share your engineering projects, ideas, and learnings. This not only demonstrates your passion but also your initiative. Share the link on your application to really showcase who you are!
✨Don’t Wait, Apply Early!
Apprenticeships often have early application windows, so keep an eye on South West Water’s website and get your applications in as soon as you can. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to secure an interview and land that coveted position!
We think you need these skills to ace Electrical Engineer in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an engineering apprenticeship at South West Water, make sure to highlight any relevant technical skills and subjects you've excelled in. Include specific projects or coursework that demonstrate your understanding of engineering principles—anything from physics projects to CAD designs can really make your application stand out!
Include Your Learning Experience:Since this is an apprenticeship, we want to see how keen you are to learn. In your cover letter, talk about what you hope to gain from this opportunity at South West Water and how it aligns with your career goals. Don’t be shy—express your enthusiasm for getting hands-on experience!
Tailor Your CV for Engineering:Make sure your CV reflects your passion for engineering. List relevant coursework, skills, and any hands-on experiences like workshops or engineering clubs. Feel free to use a clear and structured layout so it's easy for the hiring team at South West Water to see your qualifications at a glance.
Keep it Visual—If Possible!:If you've worked on any engineering projects, consider including visual elements in your application—like pictures, graphs or even a small portfolio link. This isn’t mandatory, but visuals can help us appreciate your work and problem-solving skills more effectively!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Showcase Your Passion for Engineering
Since you're applying for an apprenticeship, it’s crucial to demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for engineering. Be ready to talk about any projects you've done, be it in school or in your spare time, as this shows your commitment and eagerness to learn on the job at South West Water.
✨Get Hands-On with Technical Questions
Expect some technical queries related to basic engineering principles. Brush up on subjects you’ve covered in your studies, such as materials science or thermodynamics. They might throw a scenario your way to gauge how you would approach solving a problem—don't be afraid to think aloud!
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
Apprenticeships often require working in teams, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with others in school or during any group projects. Share specific examples that reflect your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively, as this is highly valued in engineering roles at South West Water.
✨Ask About Learning Opportunities
Make sure to prepare some questions about the apprenticeship itself, like how training will be structured or the types of projects you'll tackle. Showing curiosity about your growth will impress the interviewers at South West Water, demonstrating that you're ready to dive into the learning experience.
