Principal Engineer

We are looking for a delivery-focused, results-oriented individual who thrives in a collaborative, team-focused culture. You will work closely with engineering teams, operations, internal stakeholders, and external suppliers to lead the technical assurance and governance of Operational Technology (OT) projects that underpin Thames Water’s critical infrastructure.

We are seeking an OT Principal Engineer to lead the strategic development and governance of OT standards, ensuring all systems are designed, deployed, and maintained in compliance with Thames Water’s OT strategy and technical requirements. You will manage a team of governance engineers and play a pivotal role in shaping OT solutions and frameworks across the business, ensuring robust, resilient, and compliant systems that support long-term operational success and digital transformation.

What you’ll do as a Principal Engineer

Technical Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead the development and assurance of OT systems, ensuring alignment with Thames Water’s standards, OT strategy, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic guidance across internal teams and delivery partners, influencing the design and development of OT architecture and solutions.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in OT governance, delivering technical leadership on complex decisions.

Standards & Governance Oversight:

• Lead the creation, implementation, and monitoring of OT technical standards, governance, and compliance frameworks.
• Oversee the management of technical documentation, approved hardware lists, and system specifications.
• Drive continuous improvement and consistency across all OT teams and third-party contractors.

Project Delivery & Planning:

• Ensure all OT elements of AMP8 are delivered to required standards, including quality, security, and compliance.
• Support the planning and data collation required for AMP9 and PR29 regulatory submissions.
• Conduct periodic audits of contractors under the Control & Automation (C&A) framework, assessing performance and compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work with internal stakeholders (Operations, Engineering, Cyber Security) and external partners to ensure solutions meet performance, compliance, and business needs.
• Facilitate technical discussions, ensure alignment on solution design, and translate complex technical challenges into actionable outcomes.
• Provide guidance on customer and regulatory data demands as an OT SME.

Supplier & Relationship Management:

• Foster collaborative, transparent relationships with framework contractors and technology vendors.
• Provide technical input into commercial proposals and influence project and contract outcomes.

Quality, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all systems and activities meet health, safety, environmental, and statutory requirements.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and high standards across the OT engineering function.

Base location – Hybrid – Sewage Treatment Works, Reading.

Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role:

Essential Experience:

• Experience in Operational Technology engineering roles.
• Proven experience in deploying OT systems, including SCADA, telemetry, and control systems.
• Strong understanding of OT security, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with third-party delivery partners and managing contractor performance.
• Ability to lead and influence in fast-paced, reactive environments.
• Demonstrated experience in managing conflicting priorities while maintaining a strategic view.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and commercial proposal input.

Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications:

• Degree qualification, or equivalent experience, in an engineering discipline.
• Deep technical knowledge of OT systems, including SCADA, PLCs, HMIs, and networks.
• Strong capabilities in OT architecture, system design, and governance frameworks.
• Excellent technical report writing and stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to lead teams, demonstrate personal authority, and influence decision-making at senior levels.
• Self-motivated with excellent attention to detail and ability to deliver under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving and judgment capabilities with the ability to convert complex issues into simple solutions.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience in developing technical standards and specifications.
• Project delivery, management, and performance tracking.
• Business case and commercial proposal development.
• Understanding of commercial and contract management in utility environments.
• Knowledge of compliance assurance, risk governance, and strategic planning.

Desirable Technical Skills & Qualifications:

• Member of a professional engineering body.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Management qualification (e.g., NEBOSH).
• Commercial awareness of large-scale OT project delivery and strategic planning.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.
So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.