Instrumentation, Controls and Automation Technician

Closing Date

Location
Hampshire, Base:
Otterbourne
Travel:
Multiple sites within area (company supplied van)

Contract Type
Permanent

Hours
38 hours/week (Mon‑Wed 08:00‑16:30, Thu‑Fri 08:00‑15:30), standby cover including weekends and evenings

Salary
Base salary from £37,260 up to £53,820 per annum (depending on skills and experience)

Overtime and on‑call payments available.

• A company van (for business use only) and a fuel card, all PPE and tools
• Health Care cash plan cover (options to upgrade for family coverage)
• Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution)
• 25 days holiday allowance

Working in our Fresh Water Team, you will be responsible for maintaining and improving ICA systems across multiple sites. You will ensure compliance, reliability, and efficiency of control systems while supporting continuous improvement.

• Planned, reactive & proactive maintenance including fault finding, calibration, testing, investigation and programming on a variety of equipment sets such as telemetry, analysers, dosing equipment, control components (e.g. networks, MCC/LVA, PID controllers) and instrumentation (e.g. flowmeters, level transmitters, pressure transducers, temperature probes)
• Implementing process improvements
• Diagnosing control system faults on PLC control systems such as Rockwell, Mitsubishi, Allen Bradley and a range of package plant PLCs
• HMI & SCADA system backups and modifications
• Setup and maintenance of site control networks
• Undertaking planned maintenance and/or calibrating instrumentation
• Responding to faults/alarms
• Completing documentation accurately and in a timely manner

• NVQ Level 3 in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent apprenticeship
• Strong problem‑solving and fault‑finding skills
• Full UK driving licence
• Experience with PLC programming and SCADA systems
• Live within 45 minutes of our sites

• Experience in process‑oriented industries (water, petrochemical, manufacturing)
• ONC or HNC in Instrumentation, Electronics, or Control

Southern Water offers monitored career paths, training and development opportunities.

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability and service excellence. With £7.8 bn 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.

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. If you are interested in other opportunities, you can register your details through our careers portal.

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.