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Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician
full-timeAshford, Thanet, Chatham, Umhausen$37k - $53k

Summary

Location

Ashford, Thanet, Chatham, Umhausen

Salary

$37k - $53k (GBP)

Type

full-time

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About this role

Closing Date

2026-01-20

Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician – Waste Water

Location: Kent - Geographically based within location area (negotiable), with travel to multiple sites.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 38 hours

Salary: Base salary £37,260 up to £53,820 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
  • Health Care cash plan cover (with options to upgrade for family coverage)
  • Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution)

For a full list of benefits, please visit our careers page or see below.

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). + More!
  • 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.

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.

"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. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need."

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)

Our Commitment to Diversity

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.

Other facts

Tech stack
Instrumentation,Control Systems,Automation,Fault Finding,Calibration,Testing,Programming,Telemetry Systems,Analysers,PLC Control,SCADA Systems,Documentation,Problem Solving,Communication,Team Training,Process Improvement

About Southern Water

We are one of the largest water and wastewater companies in the South East of England and thrive on the passion and hard work of more than 2,000 employees.

Together we supply 532 million litres of drinking water every day to more than two million customers and treat and recycle 717 million litres of wastewater for more than four million customers in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Water is essential to every aspect of our lives and we're proud to be at the heart of managing water and wastewater services. We drink it, cook with it and use it to clean. Our water supply faces big challenges - the population of the South East is growing fast, and climate change is bringing greater risk of droughts and more extreme weather. It’s a future of more people needing water and wastewater services, with less water to go around.

So, together with our customers and communities, we aim to provide a sustainable, high-quality water and wastewater service that helps us create a resilient future for water in the South East.

Find out more about us:

Website: www.southernwater.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernWater

Twitter: @SouthernWater

Instagram: @southernwatermedia

We use market research tools to improve our service. For more info, visit: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/our-customers/privacy

Team size: 1,001-5,000 employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Utilities

What you'll do

  • You will maintain and improve ICA systems across multiple sites, ensuring compliance, reliability, and efficiency of control systems. Responsibilities include planned, reactive, and proactive maintenance, fault finding, calibration, and implementing process improvements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Southern Water pay for a Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician?

Southern Water offers a competitive compensation package for the Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician role. The salary range is GBP 37k - 54k per year. Apply through Clera to learn more about the full compensation details.

What does a Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician do at Southern Water?

As a Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician at Southern Water, you will: you will maintain and improve ICA systems across multiple sites, ensuring compliance, reliability, and efficiency of control systems. Responsibilities include planned, reactive, and proactive maintenance, fault finding, calibration, and implementing process improvements..

Why join Southern Water as a Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician?

Southern Water is a leading Utilities company. The Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician role offers competitive compensation.

Is the Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician position at Southern Water remote?

The Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician position at Southern Water is based in Ashford, England, United Kingdom and Thanet, England, United Kingdom. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician position at Southern Water?

You can apply for the Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technician position at Southern Water directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Southern Water on their website.