Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer in London

Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer in London

London Full-Time 65000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Thames Water

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and support critical OT systems, ensuring compliance and security.
  • Company: Join a leading company in operational technology with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, generous holiday, and health benefits.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities and ongoing training.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology, solving real-world problems in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: HNC or equivalent in engineering/IT, experience with enterprise systems, and strong problem-solving skills.

The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.

As an Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer, you will be responsible for managing and supporting OT‑specific enterprise systems and applications. These business‑critical systems play a key role in enabling operational technology services for both the end customer and the wider business. This role involves ensuring that all systems under the compute remit remain compliant, secure, and aligned with industry standards. You will contribute to the resolution of infrastructure issues and help deliver new solutions as required by the business. A driving licence is essential for this position.

What you’ll be doing as a Compute System Engineer:

  • Support the ongoing maintenance and lifecycle management of existing OT compute infrastructure, including patching and license management.
  • Work closely with business stakeholders to understand and deliver new technical solutions, including cloud‑based technologies, in support of future needs.
  • Act as a key point of contact for incident response, demonstrating strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to act quickly under pressure.
  • Assist in the design and implementation of infrastructure changes, including both high‑level and low‑level technical designs.
  • Ensure domain system security compliance through audits, reviews, and proactive management.
  • Support the delivery of regular updates across the full technology stack, including application, OS, BIOS, and hypervisors.
  • Administer and support a wide range of enterprise technologies, including Active Directory, SCCM, VMware, Symantec Endpoint Protection, Dell OpenManage Enterprise, Canonical patching tools, NTP, PKI/certificates, and hybrid Azure environments.
  • Contribute to the integration and evolution of Industry 4.0 solutions within the OT compute domain.
  • Participate in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota (following probation and prerequisites) to provide emergency support for critical OT systems.
  • Support and collaborate with other technical teams in delivering infrastructure improvements and new deployments.
  • Stay current with industry best practices and demonstrate the ability to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) within the compute domain.
  • Engage in personal development and training to ensure capability across required technologies.
  • You will be required to be a part of our mandatory standby for our 24/7 support in this role.

Base location: Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading.

Working pattern: 36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role:

  • Higher education qualification (HNC or equivalent experience) in an engineering or IT discipline.
  • Proven experience in maintaining, patching, and supporting infrastructure and enterprise systems.
  • Security clearance to SC level.
  • Familiarity with enterprise application administration, including Active Directory, SCCM, VMware, AV software, and Azure cloud services.
  • Knowledge of IP communications and networking, including LAN and WAN.
  • Understanding of industry‑specific SCADA systems, or willingness to learn.
  • Proficient scripting skills using PowerShell or similar.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; confident in dealing with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
  • Proven decision‑making skills and the ability to balance operational, commercial, and customer needs.
  • Understanding of IT and OT delivery approaches (e.g., ITIL, Agile, Waterfall, Lean).
  • Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented and able to work under pressure.

Desirable qualifications and experience:

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) – Server, SQL, SCCM.
  • Microsoft Applied Skills – Administer Active Directory Domain Services.
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals and/or Azure Administrator Certification.
  • Experience in scripting and automation using PowerShell.
  • VMCE certification or hands‑on experience with Veeam Backup & Replication (or similar).
  • Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) administration certification.
  • Prior experience working within the utility industry or a large‑scale enterprise environment (>20,000 devices).
  • Experience with stakeholder analysis and managing relationships across multiple technical and business teams.
  • Security Clearance: CTC (Counter Terrorist Check) clearance is desirable. Where this is not already held, it will be obtained as part of the role.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive salary up to £65,000 per annum, depending on experience.
  • Car allowance – £4,500.
  • Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
  • Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to both company and individual performance measures and targets.
  • Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
  • Access to a range of health, wellbeing and financial benefits, including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer in London employer: Thames Water

As an Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With a competitive salary, generous benefits including a car allowance and extensive annual leave, and a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, we are committed to providing meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities in the heart of Reading. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your expertise and fosters a strong sense of community.

Thames Water

Contact Details:

Thames Water Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer in London

Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups

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We think you need these skills to ace Operational Technology (OT) Compute System Engineer in London

Operational Technology (OT) Systems Management
Infrastructure Maintenance
Patching and License Management
Cloud-Based Technologies
Incident Response
Problem-Solving Skills
Technical Design Implementation

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.