At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as an ICA Technician, working on exciting projects to improve water systems.
- Company: Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company.
- Benefits: Earn up to £47,000 plus a company van, tools, and generous leave.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, diverse workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in environmental impact while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: HNC or NVQ level 3 in instrumentation, control, and automation preferred.
We currently have an opportunity for an experienced instrumentation, control & automation (ICA) technician across London and the Thames Valley. As a successful candidate, you will be working with multi-disciplinary teams, alongside a range of operational teams such as systems, mechanical and electrical technicians. You will be responsible for installing, modifying, and commissioning new plant equipment to relevant standards. Diagnose and repair faults on systems and plants. Proactively identifying and reporting works for enhancement and delivering cost-effective improvements to assets and systems. This is an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to Thames Water's environmental impact, and you will be actively helping to reduce pollution from our sites.
What you'll be doing as the ICA Technician:
- Ensuring the health, safety and well-being of yourself, colleagues, contractors, and visitors is always a top priority by displaying the correct behaviours at all times, by complying with the Health and Safety at Work regulations and Thames Water's Health and Safety guidelines.
- Carrying out instrumentation, control and automation maintenance on a variety of wastewater assets, including planned maintenance and defect maintenance, along with installing, modifying and commissioning new plant equipment to relevant standards, and diagnosing and repairing faults on systems and plants.
- Proactively identifying and reporting follow-up work or areas for enhancement.
- Record work and asset information to improve business performance, along with identifying possible future risks and recommending changes in the course of your day-to-day work and to raise these for resolution as required.
- Provide specialist technical advice where appropriate, with up-to-date technical knowledge, along with coaching, training and developing staff under their supervision, including the apprenticeship programme.
- To deliver an excellent customer experience and positively contribute to overall customer satisfaction. Interacting with all of our customers (internal & external) in a timely, professional, efficient, respectful and polite manner.
Working hours: 38 hours per week, Monday-Friday. 7:30 am - 3:36 pm plus Standby rota payments & Overtime opportunities can increase the earning potential by up to a further £8,000-£10,000 per annum upon completion of essential company training. All PPE, Tools, plus the provision of a Van when on duty and on call.
What you should bring to the role:
- Ideally, you will be qualified to HNC level or otherwise NVQ level 3 (or equivalent) in an instrumentation, control and automation discipline.
- Preferably, for you to have an 18th Edition (BS7671) qualification.
- A good, practical understanding of operational plant and control systems is essential.
- An understanding of Wonderware and ClearSCADA is desirable.
- Knowledge and experience working with relay logic and PLCs (Rockwell & Allen Bradley), which will include management and programming.
- The ideal candidate will have the ability to read and fault-find from circuit diagrams, as well as have previous experience with inverter drives.
- We are looking for someone with experience in calibration and maintenance of front-line instrumentation.
- A problem solver, able to identify potential issues and implement solutions, or escalate if required.
- An excellent communicator, providing technical expertise to Internal and External staff and contractors.
- Resilient, adapting to the pressures of work and working in a constantly changing environment.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision, under own initiative to design and standards.
- Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety issues relevant to the industry.
- Team player who can work in many different teams, showing respect for others, providing helpful feedback and supporting the development of others.
- Full UK driving licence.
What's in it for you?
- Offering a salary up to £47,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience, plus a company van, tools, and PPE.
- Contributory pension Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% - 2x employee contribution.
- Annual Leave: 24 days holiday per year, increasing to 28 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
- Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay!
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family's health and wellbeing, and your finances from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) - London, Greater London employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a tangible impact on the community and the environment. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including enhanced maternity and paternity leave, and a strong commitment to employee development, you'll find ample opportunities for growth and support in your career. Join a diverse team dedicated to sustainability and innovation in the heart of London, where every day presents a chance to contribute to a better future for millions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) - London, Greater London
✨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 Thames Water!
✨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, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) - London, Greater London position at Thames Water, 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 Thames Water 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, Controls & Automation Technician (ICA) - London, Greater London role at Thames Water!
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 Thames Water 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 Thames Water
✨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 Thames Water.
✨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 Thames Water, 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.