At a Glance
- Tasks: Support maintenance and performance of water treatment and distribution assets.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where your uniqueness is celebrated.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that ensures safe drinking water across stunning landscapes.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English, engineering apprenticeship, and relevant certifications.
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.
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.
Role Purpose
The DWS Maintenance Engineer is a key member of the Drinking Water Services MEICA team, responsible for supporting the maintenance, reliability and performance of water treatment and distribution assets. Working closely with operational teams and fellow engineering specialists, the role coordinates and delivers planned, preventative and reactive maintenance across mechanical, electrical and instrumentation, control and automation (ICA) assets. The role contributes to the safe and efficient operation of drinking water infrastructure by ensuring assets are maintained to the highest standards, supporting regulatory compliance, operational resilience and continuous improvement across water production and distribution sites.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintenance & Asset Reliability
- Plan, coordinate and deliver preventative, corrective and reactive maintenance activities across water treatment and distribution assets.
- Support the maintenance and improvement of mechanical, electrical and ICA equipment.
- Diagnose equipment faults and undertake troubleshooting activities to minimise operational disruption.
- Identify root causes of plant failures and implement effective long-term solutions.
- Improve asset reliability, efficiency and performance across treatment sites.
- Technical Delivery
- Depending on specialist discipline, undertake mechanical installation, commissioning and fault finding.
- Electrical installation, commissioning and fault finding.
- ICA installation, commissioning and fault finding.
- Support control systems, instrumentation and automation infrastructure.
- Carry out regulatory inspections and equipment testing.
- Operational Support
- Provide practical and technical support to operational teams and maintenance craftspeople.
- Maintain familiarity with a wide range of treatment assets, equipment and operational processes.
- Support planned maintenance programmes and respond effectively to operational emergencies and breakdowns.
- Contribute to process optimisation, energy efficiency and asset improvement initiatives.
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Work in accordance with company procedures, statutory requirements and industry standards.
- Prepare and review risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work where required.
- Maintain high standards of site safety, hygiene and housekeeping.
- Ensure compliance with water quality, waste management and health and safety legislation.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Collaborate with Information Services, Operational Technology, Repair Workshops and wider Pennon teams.
- Work effectively with external contractors, suppliers and service partners.
- Support training and development activities, including mentoring apprentices and operational colleagues.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English.
- Completed apprenticeship supported by relevant engineering qualifications (City & Guilds, BTEC, ONC, HNC or HND).
- Relevant and current technical competency certifications, such as IEE regulations.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Essential Experience
- Industrial maintenance and fault finding.
- Mechanical, electrical or ICA maintenance and repair.
- Working with industrial control systems and plant equipment.
- Maintenance planning and delivery.
- Troubleshooting operational and asset performance issues.
Desirable Experience
- Water treatment operations and asset maintenance.
- PLC systems and automation technologies.
- High-voltage electrical systems.
- Supervising or leading operational activities.
Closing Date: 29th 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.
Maintenance Engineer - DWS in London employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and sustainability. Our employees benefit from opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside the chance to contribute to meaningful environmental initiatives in one of the UK's most beautiful regions. Join us in making a difference while enjoying a fulfilling career in the water sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Engineer - DWS in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Maintenance Engineer - DWS role you’re after at South West Water.
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Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at South West Water a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at South West Water.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Maintenance Engineer - DWS at South West Water, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Engineer - DWS in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Maintenance Engineer - DWS, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at South West Water a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to South West Water specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with South West Water, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like South West Water want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
