Closing Date
25/02/2026
Job Title: Senior Authorised Engineer
Location: South Coast (you can be based within our offices in Kent/ Falmer/ Hampshire)- Driving licence essential due to travel to sites
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37
Salary: Competitive depending on skills and experience
About the role
As a Senior Authorised Engineer (SAE), you will provide strategic leadership, technical assurance, and governance across Southern Water's MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation) operations. You will ensure that all electrical and mechanical activities, including high‑voltage (HV) work, comply with statutory regulations and internal safety frameworks.
You will act as joint custodian for the organisation's M&E Systems Manual and Electrical Safety Rule Book, which define the standards, responsibilities, and safe systems of work adopted by our MEICA teams.
The role provides expert leadership in electrical safety and statutory compliance, overseeing the development and continual improvement of Management Plans under the Electricity at Work Regulations, with a focus on high‑voltage (HV) systems. Acting as the organisation's primary technical escalation point for MEICA safety issues, you will own and maintains the M&E 3004 procedure, ensures the competency and ongoing assessment of 160–200 MEICA technicians, and manages all SAP/AP authorisations and training requirements.
This includes maintaining the Authorised Persons database, ensuring all SAPs and APs complete essential HV training, and holding (or obtaining) HV Operations certification to uphold the highest standards of operational safety and compliance.
Being the lead in safety investigations across MEICA operations, your role will be key in identifying root causes and driving risk‑based improvements to prevent recurrence. You'll guide the SAP team through incident reviews, develop safer working practices, and provide expert technical input into key Health & Safety policies and operational procedures to strengthen overall compliance and safety performance
Acting as a key liaison across internal teams, contractors, and network operators, ensuring all parties meet Southern Water's electrical safety and compliance standards, you'll review contractor procedures, influence safe delivery across partner organisations, and support commercial teams through contract reviews and tender processes to maintain strong MEICA compliance throughout the supply chain.
You'll work closely with engineering teams on isolations, switching and commissioning activities, while optimising resources and overseeing statutory inspection programmes valued at over £1M.
In managing a team of 4x Senior Authorised Persons (SAPs) and 2 × technical specialists, one of your key priorities will be to drive high performance by ensuring 95% completion of annual technical competency assessments, achieving full closure of serious Health & Safety incidents, and leading the continuous annual review of the M&E Systems Manual and Electrical Safety Rule Book.
What you'll bring to the role
Essential:
* Strong experience in MEICA engineering within industrial, utilities, energy, or infrastructure environments.
* Proven, hands‑on experience managing and operating HV and LV electrical systems.
* Sound understanding of statutory regulations, electrical safety rules, and safe systems of work.
* Demonstrable experience assessing technical competency and developing high‑performing engineering teams.
Desirable:
* Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional accreditation.
Your demonstration of strong strategic thinking with a clear focus on risk management and compliance, supported by confident communication and the ability to build productive relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners is key to the role. Your contribution will be paramount in coaching and developing both SAPs and wider technical teams, bringing a calm, decisive approach to complex technical issues and safety‑critical situations.
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, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation
"Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water—and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you're inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don't need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference."
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 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.