At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and improve wastewater control systems across multiple sites.
- Company: Southern Water, a leader in transforming the UK's water industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health care plan, company van, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with excellent career progression and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ3 in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent, with problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 32400 - 39600 £ per year.
Location: Fullerton, Peel Common, Chichester, (Hampshire area) - Geographically based within location area (negotiable), with travel to multiple sites.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 38 hours
Salary: Base salary £38,564.10 up to £55,703.70 per annum (depending on skills and experience). Overtime and on-call payments available.
About the role: Join our Wastewater Treatment Team to maintain and improve ICA systems across multiple sites. You will ensure compliance, reliability, and efficiency of control systems while supporting continuous improvement. We offer a monitored career path and training to get you where you want to be. If you only have some of the skillsets listed below, please still apply and start your learning journey within ICA at Southern Water. If you have more of the skillsets listed, you will automatically be set towards the higher end of the salary scale listed below.
What you will be responsible for:
- Planned, Reactive & Proactive maintenance including Fault Finding, Calibration, Testing, Investigation and Programming on such equipment sets as; Telemetry Systems, Instrumentation (Flowmeters, Level transmitters, Pressure transducers, Temperature probes, etc…).
- Analysers (Dissolved Oxygen, MLSS, Turbidity, etc…).
- MCC & LVA (Low Voltage Assemblies) with PLC Control.
- Control (Networks, MCC/LVA components, PID controllers).
- Dosing Equipment.
- Automation (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems).
- Implement complex process improvements and diagnose control system faults on PLC types such as; Rockwell, Mitsubishi and a range of package plant PLC’s.
- PLC Software Control via backups and routine verification.
- Maintaining a change control system when software is requested.
- HMI & SCADA system backups and modifications.
- Setup and maintenance of site control networks (Ethernet, DH+, Profibus, Profinet, RS232, etc..), including managed switch configuration.
- Conduct planned maintenance and/or calibrate instrumentation to Southern Water standards to ensure reliability and accuracy.
- Respond to faults/ alarms as guided by the Regional Control Centre.
- Undertake investigative work on instruments and process issues at wastewater plants, identifying any faults and implementing remedial action.
- Calibration of wastewater equipment to external national standards such as HACCP and MCerts.
- Complete documentation accurately and in a timely manner to maintain internal change control standards.
- Implement system modifications from Operational Team requests to help improve process control or compliance.
- Gather evidence to help with Root Cause Analysis and implement changes as required.
- To coach and train team members to develop their skills.
Additional Requirements: Travel across multiple sites with a company van provided.
Benefits: A company van (for business use only) which you can take home, and a fuel card. Health Care cash plan cover (with options to upgrade for family coverage). Competitive pension.
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Essential NVQ3 in Electrical or Electronic Engineering OR a time-served apprenticeship.
- An ONC or HNC in Instrumentation, Electronics, Control or equivalent.
- Excellent problem solving and fault-finding skills.
- Experience within Instrumentation or Control or Automation.
- Strong documentation skills for regulatory compliance reporting.
- Collaborative, with good communication skills.
- Enthusiasm for learning and growth.
- Full, current UK driving license.
Desirable: Enthusiasm for learning and growth. Collaborative, with good communication skills. Experience within a process orientated industry such as water utility, petrochemical, electricity, manufacturing or similar.
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.
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.
ICA Technician/Engineer in Chichester employer: SouthernWaterServices
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering AI Automation Engineers the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies like Microsoft Copilot and Power Platform in a dynamic and supportive environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth through training and development opportunities, as well as a focus on diversity and inclusion, Southern Water fosters a culture where innovative ideas thrive and every team member can make a meaningful impact on the future of water services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ICA Technician/Engineer in Chichester
✨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 SouthernWaterServices!
✨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 ICA Technician/Engineer position at SouthernWaterServices, 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 SouthernWaterServices 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 ICA Technician/Engineer role at SouthernWaterServices!
We think you need these skills to ace ICA Technician/Engineer in Chichester
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 SouthernWaterServices 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 SouthernWaterServices
✨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 SouthernWaterServices.
✨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 SouthernWaterServices, 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.