Closing Date
2026-03-13
Job Title: Control Systems Engineer
Location: Hampshire & Sussex (regular travel required)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours
Salary: from £50k
About the role
This is an exciting time to join us as we continue our journey towards a greener, more digitally‑enabled future. You’ll be part of our RTS (Real‑Time Systems) team, a key function driving the modernisation of our control systems estate across Water and Wastewater operations.
You’ll play a vital role in our digital transformation by bringing previously outsourced commissioning work back in‑house, supporting complex technical issues on site, and contributing to the delivery of innovative, resilient and compliant control systems.
What you will be responsible for
As a Control Systems Engineer (known internally as RTS Commissioning Engineer) you will provide commissioning support, deliver upgrade projects, resolve complex control system issues, and work closely with contractors, ICA teams, and internal stakeholders to support the wider RTS strategy.
Key responsibilities:
1. Supporting the commissioning of multiple CAPEX‑funded projects and contributing to the Obsolescence & Standardisation strategy.
2. Assisting in the delivery of PLC, SCADA and Telemetry replacement schemes.
3. Delivering small upgrade or migration projects for PLCs and HMIs.
4. Supporting third‑party suppliers in delivering large‑scale control system upgrade works.
5. Assisting the ICA function with long‑duration or complex control system failures across Water and Wastewater sites.
6. Providing technical appraisals to support the RTS strategy and develop innovative, cost‑efficient solutions.
7. Building strong working relationships with contractors, internal stakeholders and project teams.
8. Monitoring project progress and reporting variations or risks to key stakeholders.
9. Ensuring all work meets internal standards, compliance requirements and operational expectations.
Additional Requirements (role-specific)
10. Regular travel across Hampshire & Sussex sites.
11. Some work may require being part of a rota or providing occasional out‑of‑hours support for critical failures (if applicable—add detail if needed).
12. Hands‑on engineering work may involve fault‑finding, calibrating, testing, and implementing control system changes on site.
What you’ll bring to the role
Essential
13. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex, inter‑dependent project plans.
14. Extensive experience fault‑finding, calibrating, testing and programming control systems, telemetry, flow metering, and measurement technologies.
15. Experience delivering control system improvements and resolving complex process/control faults.
16. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
17. Highly logical and organised, able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
18. HNC (minimum) in Electronic or Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
19. Current Electrical Installation Regulations qualification.
20. Significant experience within a process or industrial environment.
Desirable
21. HND or Degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering.
22. Experience within water utilities or a similar regulated environment.
23. Instrumentation apprenticeship or equivalent background.
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.
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
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.
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