At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and improve control systems across multiple sites in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the water industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, generous holiday, and a company van.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 38564 - 55704 £ per year.
Location: Hastings, with travel to multiple sites in the region
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 38 hours/ week (Mon-Wed 08:00-16:30, Thurs-Fri 08:00-15:30), standby cover including weekends and evenings
Salary: Base salary from £38,564.10 - £55,703.70 per annum (depending on skills and experience). Overtime and on-call payments available.
Benefits:
- A company van (for business use only) which you can take home, and a fuel card, all PPE and tools
- Health Care cash plan cover (with options to upgrade for family coverage)
- Competitive Pension
- 25 days holiday allowance
About the role
Working in our Fresh Water Team, you will be responsible for maintaining and improving ICA systems across multiple sites. You will ensure compliance, reliability, and efficiency of control systems while supporting continuous improvement.
What you will be responsible for:
- Planned, reactive & proactive maintenance including fault finding, calibration, testing, investigation and programming on a variety of equipment sets including; telemetry, analysers, dosing equipment, control (e.g. networks, MCC/LVA components, PID controllers) and instrumentation (e.g. flowmeters, level transmitters, pressure transducers, temperature probes)
- Implementing process improvements
- Diagnosing control system faults on PLC control systems such as; Rockwell, Mitsubishi, Allen Bradley and a range of package plant PLC’s.
- HMI & SCADA system backups and modifications.
- Setup and maintenance of site control networks
- Undertaking planned maintenance and/or calibrating instrumentation
- Responding to faults/ alarms
- Completing documentation accurately and in a timely manner
What you’ll bring to the role:
Essential:
- NVQ Level 3 in Electrical or Electronic Engineering OR time-served apprenticeship (or equivalent).
- Strong problem-solving and fault-finding skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience with PLC programming and SCADA systems.
- Experience maintaining Instrumentation.
- Live within 45 mins of our sites
Desirable:
- Experience in process-oriented industries (water, petrochemical, manufacturing).
- ONC or HNC in Instrumentation, Electronics, or Control
Progression opportunities
Southern Water offers monitored career paths, training, and development opportunities.
About Southern Water
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Additional information:
In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre‐employment checks, including security vetting.
Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.
Interested in the role?
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration.
We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.
Our Benefits:
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension
- Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
- Health benefits through a Cash Plan
- Two paid community volunteering days a year
- 28 days annual holiday
- Occupational health service
- Retail discount app
- We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options
Everybody Welcome:
We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Need flexibility in your work?
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician in Hastings employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead and innovate in the water industry. With a commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including a generous pension and health plans, and a culture that values diverse perspectives, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive workplace in Kent. Join us as we transform water services and contribute to a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician in Hastings
✨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 Southern Water 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 Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician position at Southern Water 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 Southern Water 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 Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician role at Southern Water group!
We think you need these skills to ace Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician in Hastings
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 Southern Water 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 Southern Water 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 Southern Water 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 Southern Water 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.
