At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and support water production instrumentation in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join United Utilities, a leading FTSE 100 company dedicated to sustainable water services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, a competitive pension, healthcare, and gym discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity to upskill into a flexi-skilled role with a clear training pathway.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values diversity and offers career development opportunities.
- Qualifications: Time served apprentice or equivalent; HNC or ONC in Instrumentation Maintenance preferred.
The predicted salary is between 28400 - 35300 £ per year.
The Role
Are you ready for a hands-on role where no two days are the same? Joining us as an Instrumentation Field Service Engineer, you’ll play a crucial part in keeping our sites running smoothly by delivering expert maintenance and technical support across our operations.
Working in a fast-paced and modern maintenance environment, you’ll be right at the centre of proactive, planned, and reactive support—making a real impact every single day. You’ll help us stay compliant with company, statutory and regulatory standards while supporting the protection of our environment. You’ll also shape the future of our assets by contributing to key capital and operational projects, ensuring what we build today performs reliably tomorrow.
This role offers the perfect balance of independence and teamwork—sometimes you’ll be out working alone, other times you’ll collaborate closely with a supportive, skilled team.
A Note About Skills And Development
You’ll join us as an Instrumentation Engineer (single skill) from day one. But don’t worry—if your goal is to develop into a flexi-skilled engineer, we’ll fully support you.
Please Note
- This role involves working in confined spaces.
- You’ll take part in an out-of-hours standby rota, so flexibility is essential.
Here’s How We Reward You
- You will join us as a single-skilled Instrumentation Engineer on a salary of £38,462.
- As you develop into a flexi-skilled engineer, your salary will increase to £44,320 in line with your newly gained competencies.
- Our tailored training and upskilling pathways are designed to help you get there.
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays.
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover.
- Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements.
- A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme.
- MyGymDiscounts – gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions.
- Best Doctors.
- Salary Finance.
- Wealth at Work courses.
- Deals and discounts.
- EVolve Car Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Plan.
- Mental health first aiders.
- ShareBuy.
- MORE Choices flexible benefits.
- Enhanced parental leave schemes.
Role Accountabilities
- Deliver high-quality, efficient instrumentation maintenance and installation work to keep assets operating at their best.
- Diagnose and resolve faults with accuracy across instrumentation and systems-based equipment.
- Carry out proactive and planned maintenance activities to prevent issues before they happen.
- Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety regulations and internal procedures.
- Maintain effective budget and cost control.
- Provide clear, accurate asset performance and repair data to feed into our corporate systems.
- Analyse recurring issues and recommend long-term solutions.
Essential Skills & Experience
- A recognised, time-served apprenticeship (or equivalent) supported by relevant academic qualifications.
- Full UK driving licence (mobile field-based role).
- Proven experience in an instrumentation, electrical maintenance, or engineering role—ideally in a field-based or utilities/process environment.
- Strong diagnostic and fault-finding capability across instrumentation, controls and electrical systems.
- Understanding of flow, level, pressure or other measurable instrumentation—particularly within water, wastewater or similar process industries.
- Solid working knowledge of safe systems of work, risk assessments and permit-to-work processes.
- A team player—comfortable working independently but always maintaining strong communication with colleagues and on‑site teams.
About Us
Salary – £38,462
Work Type – Onsite
Job Location – Barrow-in-Furness District, Barrow, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom
Role Type – Permanent
Employment Type – Full Time
Working Hours – 37.0 Hours per Week
United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.
We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.
We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.
Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.
We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.
Instrumentation Field Service Engineer employer: United Utilities
United Utilities is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a comprehensive benefits package, including a robust pension scheme and wellness initiatives, employees are well-equipped to thrive in their roles. Located at Huntington Water Treatment Works, this position not only provides the opportunity to contribute to vital water services but also allows for career advancement through in-house training programmes, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Instrumentation Field Service Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific instrumentation systems mentioned in the job description, such as PLC, HMI, and SCADA. Understanding these technologies will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of United Utilities on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving skills and experiences in maintenance environments. Be ready to share specific examples where you've successfully diagnosed and resolved issues, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show enthusiasm for continuous learning and development. Highlight any relevant training or certifications you have, and express your eagerness to participate in the in-house technical training programme offered by United Utilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Instrumentation Field Service Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in instrumentation maintenance and technical support. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Mention your problem-solving skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team, as these are key attributes for this position.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Clearly state your qualifications, such as being a time-served apprentice or having an HNC/ONC in a relevant technical area. This will help the employer see that you have the necessary educational background for the role.
Showcase Your Industry Experience:If you have experience with PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, make sure to include this in your application. Providing examples of how you've used these systems in past roles can strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities of an Instrumentation Field Service Engineer. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the specific tasks mentioned, such as maintenance and technical support for water assets.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Since the role requires strong problem-solving abilities, think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully diagnosed and resolved technical issues. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to find a solution.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Independence
This position involves both working alone and as part of a team. Prepare to discuss situations where you've effectively collaborated with others, as well as instances where you successfully managed tasks independently, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Given the importance of health and safety regulations in this role, be prepared to talk about your understanding of these regulations and any relevant experience you have in ensuring compliance. Mention any training or certifications that demonstrate your commitment to safety in the workplace.
