Senior Control & Automation Engineer

Senior Control & Automation Field Engineer

Competitive Salary

Location: Lostock Water Treatment Works, Off Chorley New Road, Lostock, Bolton, BL6 4AQ

Salary - Competitive Salary

Work Type - Onsite

Role Type - Permanent

Employment Type - Full Time

Working Hours - 37

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’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• 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 10.5% 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

Job Purpose

Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

Shape the future of water and wastewater services with United Utilities

At United Utilities, we’re proud to be at the heart of providing clean water and protecting the environment across the North West. To help us continue delivering this vital service, we’re looking for Senior Controls & Automation Engineers to join our team.

In this senior role, you’ll be the go to technical expert, ensuring our automation and control systems are running at their best. You’ll use your skills to mentor and develop colleagues, support project delivery, and drive improvements in how we manage and maintain our assets.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor: provide technical leadership, coaching, and training for field service engineers, apprentices, and technical staff to build a strong, capable team.
• Keep us running: deliver effective maintenance and repair services across our water and wastewater sites, ensuring assets are reliable, efficient, and compliant.
• Be the expert: act as a subject matter expert for OT ICS equipment and infrastructure, leading post-incident reviews, advising on improvements, and supporting project delivery.
• Drive improvements: review and enhance OT processes, champion new ways of working, and support technical governance across projects.
• Hands-on technical work: carry out planned maintenance, troubleshoot and resolve automation faults, optimise control system performance, and ensure secure software back-ups.
• Documentation & compliance: create and maintain technical documentation (drawings, network architectures, RAMS, O&Ms, etc.) and ensure compliance with CDM, health & safety, and information security requirements.
• Support investment & projects: identify critical spares, input into investment needs, and contribute to capital and operational projects.
• On-call support: providing rapid response to operational issues when needed.

Technical Skills & Experience

What we’re looking for

• A time-served electrical or instrumentation apprenticeship with HNC/HND (or equivalent experience) in Instrumentation, Control & Automation.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs (legacy and current), SCADA, HMIs, telemetry, radio systems, and control/automation networks.
• Excellent understanding of Fieldbus and IP-based communication networks and topologies.
• Knowledge of information security good practice and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in developing and leading teams, with the ability to communicate complex technical information at all levels.
• A full UK driving licence is essential.

What we can offer you

• A senior engineering role where your expertise makes a direct impact on millions of customers.
• Opportunities to shape and improve how we deliver control and automation services across the business.
• enginA collaborative environment where your skills will help develop others and futureproof our capability.
• Competitive salary, pension, and benefits, plus the chance to be part of a business that’s building a stronger, greener, healthier North West.

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.