Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Operational Technology Maintenance Engineer

Exeter or Barnstaple | Full-Time, Permanent | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

Are you ready to put your technical expertise to work in a supportive, forward-thinking environment? Do you want to play a vital role in maintaining critical systems within one of the South West’s largest and most trusted organisations?

We’re looking for an Operational Technology Maintenance Engineer to join our team, based in either Exeter HQ or Barnstaple. This is an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge operational technology while contributing to essential services that support our communities every day.

The Role

As an Operational Technology Maintenance Engineer, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and repairing vital plant and process control systems. You’ll help ensure our operations run safely, efficiently, and reliably by combining hands-on technical expertise with problem-solving excellence.

From planned maintenance to rapid response troubleshooting, you’ll be at the heart of our operational performance.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Delivering planned and proactive maintenance on instrumentation and control systems to enhance reliability and performance

• Responding quickly to operational issues, carrying out on-site diagnosis and resolution of complex faults

• Participating in a 24/7 standby rota to provide out-of-hours support

• Collaborating with mechanical and electrical teams to prioritise and coordinate maintenance activities

• Investigating root causes of equipment failures and driving effective solutions

• Supporting the development and standardisation of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) in line with legislation (e.g. UK NIS Directive)

• Managing firmware/software updates, patching, and system rollouts in line with best practice

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above), including Maths, English, and Science (or equivalent)

• A relevant apprenticeship or qualification in industrial control, instrumentation, or a similar field

• Strong working knowledge of PLC platforms

• Experience with process control systems and ELV/LV electrical systems

• Confident IT user with a strong technical mindset

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the work area (company vehicle provided)

• Ability to successfully obtain UK Government Security Clearance (SC)

Ready to make a difference? Join us as our OT Maintenance Engineer and help create a workplace where people thrive.

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our OT Maintenance Engineer you'll enjoy:

• Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills

• Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance

• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future

• Flexible Working Options – We value work-life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible

• Healthcare Benefits – Access to employee assistance programs

• Employee Discounts – On various products and services

• Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement

Closing Date: 27th May 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.