Engineer - ICA Systems

ICA Systems Engineer
 
Salary: Circa £54,000 per annum | Company Benefits | Travel Allowance
Location: Walsall, West Midlands, or Cambridge, Cambridgeshire | Hybrid | Regular Travel Required
Contract: Full-Time | Permanent | 40 hours per week
 
About Us:

South Staffordshire Water, which operates across two regions as Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water is a privately-owned regulated water only company.

South Staffs Water supplies a population of nearly I.3 million. The area of supply stretches from the edge of Ashbourne in the north, to Halesowen in the south, and from Burton on Trent in the east, to Kinver in the west.
 
The Role: 
 
Reporting to the ICA Systems Lead Engineer, you'll be responsible for the development, configuration, testing and support of industrial control systems used to monitor and manage operational processes.

Working closely with Operations, Projects, Cyber Security and Engineering teams, you'll help ensure our control systems remain secure, reliable and fit for the future.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on critical infrastructure, supporting PLCs, RTUs, telemetry, instrumentation and control systems that underpin the delivery of safe, reliable and efficient operational services. You'll play a key role in maintaining system resilience, supporting major projects and driving improvements across our Operational Technology environment.

Key Responsibilities:

PLC Software Development & Delivery

• Design, develop, test and implement PLC and control system software.
• Produce functional specifications, design documentation and commissioning records.
• Configure process control, sequencing, alarms, interlocks and automation functions.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and commissioning activities.
• Maintain software libraries, reusable code modules and version-controlled documentation.
• Participate in technical reviews and assurance activities.

Operational Technology & Automation Engineering

• Support PLCs, RTUs, telemetry systems and associated control technologies.
• Integrate field instrumentation and process equipment into operational systems.
• Configure signal scaling, validation, alarming and fault management functionality.
• Support water quality instrumentation, process analysers and packaged plant integration.
• Ensure compliance with approved engineering and cyber security standards.

Project Delivery & System Improvements

• Deliver control system modifications supporting operational improvements and asset renewals.
• Collaborate with project teams, suppliers and system integrators.
• Participate in site surveys, design reviews and commissioning activities.
• Support the successful transition of projects into operational service.
• Contribute to technology refresh and continuous improvement initiatives.

Incident Response & Technical Support

• Provide technical expertise for complex control system and PLC software issues.
• Support fault diagnosis, root cause investigations and recovery activities.
• Implement corrective actions and long-term system improvements.
• Assist in managing software lifecycle, firmware updates and configuration control.

About You:
 
We're looking for someone with a strong background in industrial automation and control systems who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and working collaboratively across multiple engineering disciplines.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong knowledge of Industrial Control and Automation (ICA) systems.
• Experience working with PLCs, RTUs, telemetry systems and field instrumentation.
• Proven PLC programming, testing, commissioning and troubleshooting experience.
• Experience supporting industrial control systems within operational environments.
• Understanding of process control principles, instrumentation and automation technologies.
• Ability to interpret functional design specifications, P&IDs, engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of change control, asset lifecycle management and engineering governance.
• Understanding of Operational Technology (OT) cyber security fundamentals.
• Excellent analytical, fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working with system integrators, suppliers and contractors.
  
  

Desirable

• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Automation, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation or a related discipline.
• Experience with SCADA systems, OT networking and industrial communications protocols.
• Knowledge of IEC 62443, NIS Regulations or industrial cyber security frameworks.
• Experience within the water, utilities, manufacturing, energy or critical infrastructure sectors.
• Experience supporting major capital projects, control system migrations or technology refresh programmes.
• Membership of, or working towards membership of, a recognised professional engineering institution.

What You'll Get:
 

• Family-Friendly Leave: Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days
• Financial & Life Assurance: Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options
• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you and your dependents
• Lifestyle & Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers
• Professional Development: Hands-on training and ongoing career development opportunities
• Inclusion & Belonging: Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group and more
• Performance & Recognition: Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.

At South Staffordshire Group, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. 

We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.
We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and encourage you to let us know how we can best support you throughout the recruitment process.