Senior Engineer

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water management company in Warrington seeks an Instrumentation and Control Engineer to design and develop OT systems for water operations. This role involves ensuring compliance with standards, providing project support, and acting as a Subject Matter Expert. Candidates should have strong knowledge of OT architectures and cybersecurity and be comfortable collaborating with teams across different engineering disciplines. A commitment to continuous learning and personal development is essential.

Benefits

26 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Up to 14% employer pension contribution

Performance-related bonus (up to 10.5%)

Company-funded healthcare plan

Discounts on gyms and wellness apps

Enhanced parental leave

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of OT architectures and cybersecurity.
• Experience with project lifecycle from design to commissioning.
• Knowledge of WAN technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop instrumentation for water operations.
• Ensure seamless integration of OT systems.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert for Operational Technology.

Skills

Understanding of OT architectures

Cybersecurity awareness

Project support

Collaboration with suppliers

Excellent communication skills

Education

Chartered Engineer (or working towards)

Tools

SCADA

Telemetries

Job description

Job number UU04506 Country United Kingdom Region Warrington Location name Lingley Mere, Lingley Green Avenue, Warrington, WA5 3YR, United Kingdom Posting End Date 27/01/2026 Band 4a Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive Salary

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere, Lingley Green Avenue, Warrington, WA5 3YR, United Kingdom
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

Join United Utilities (UU) and help shape the future of water in the North West. We’re a FTSE 100 company with a clear purpose: to deliver great water for a stronger, greener, healthier region. We’re proud to do this in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

Why Join Us?

At UU, we believe in more than just doing a job we believe in making a difference. You’ll be part of a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace where you can grow, thrive, and be yourself. We offer:

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 days with service) + 8 bank holidays
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution
• Performance-related bonus (up to 10.5%)
• Company-funded healthcare plan
• Discounts on gyms, wellness apps, and EV car schemes
• Enhanced parental leave
• Sharebuy

About the Role

We’re looking for an established or aspiring Instrumentation and Control Engineer. You’ll play a key role in designing and developing instrumentation, control, automation, and telemetry systems for water and wastewater operations at United Utilities.

As a Senior Operational Technology Engineer, you willprovide specialist Operational Technology (OT) engineering support for our Commercial, Engineering and Capital delivery projects, ensuring the successful delivery of OT systems. The role will ensure compliance with corporate standards, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity frameworks while enabling seamless integration of OT solutions into operational environments.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Operational Technology for our environmental program supporting instrumentation, control, telemetry and communications on new projects across the region with the following key responsibilities:

• Project Support
• Collaborate with Capital Delivery teams and contractors to ensure OT requirements are embedded in project designs and delivery plans.
• Review and OT-related design documentation, specifications, and integration plans.
• Provide technical support during project lifecycle (design, build, test, and commissioning).
• OT Systems Integration
• Ensure seamless integration of OT systems (SCADA, telemetry, PLCs, RTUs etc) into existing operational environments.
• Validate cybersecurity compliance in line with corporate and regulatory standards
• Governance & Compliance
• Maintain compliance with and development of OT standards, policies, frameworks and roadmaps.
• Support risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies for OT components in capital projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Act as a technical liaison between internal OT teams, contractors, and third-party suppliers.
• Provide guidance and training to project teams on OT best practice

What We’re Looking For

• Strong understanding of OT architectures, cybersecurity, and IT/OT connectivity to deliver robust OT solutions within an IT environment.
• Awareness of cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies for the deployment and maintenance of OT systems.
• Ability to apply current and emerging OT technologies to deliver plants that are reliable, commissionable, operable, and maintainable in live operational environments.
• Knowledge of wide area network (WAN) technologies.
• Skilled in collaborating with suppliers and partners to develop technology roadmaps and provide strategic guidance on obsolescence management and new technology deployment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead engineering teams and take full responsibility for technical outputs.
• Familiarity with CDM regulations and experience working with Principal Designers, Principal Contractors, and Capital Delivery teams to integrate OT requirements into safe systems of work.
• Good working knowledge of interfaces with other engineering disciplines (e.g., Electrical, Civil, Hydraulic, Mechanical, Modelling, and Process) and experience engaging suppliers to develop design solutions, standards, and specifications.
• Experience supervising and mentoring Graduate Engineers and Technicians, and supporting the Monitoring and Control Principal Engineer.
• Chartered Engineer (or working towards) with post-graduate experience and strong background in OT engineering

This role would suit:

• AnElectrical or Instrumentation Engineerwith a strong interest inOperational Technology (OT)and industrial control systems.
• Anaspiring OT Engineerlooking to transition into a role focused on automation, networking, and cybersecurity within industrial environments.

We welcome candidates who are eager to learn comprehensive training and development will be provided to help you build expertise in OT systems, protocols, and best practices

Why United Utilities?

We’re more than just water. We’re a purpose-driven organisation committed to sustainability, innovation, and the communities we serve. Join us and be part of a team that values integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. Whether you join a team that shares your vision or connect with colleagues across our networks, you’ll find a welcoming and supportive organisation ready to help you thrive.

We may not be able to offer sponsorship for this role

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.