OT RTU Development Engineer

We are looking for a technically driven, detail-oriented individual who thrives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. You will work alongside engineering teams, operational stakeholders, system integrators, and suppliers to lead the successful development, deployment, and lifecycle management of Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) applications critical to Thames Water’s Operational Technology (OT) landscape.

We are seeking an OT RTU Development Engineer to manage the full lifecycle of RTU application solutions across Thames Water’s clean and wastewater networks. This includes the design, configuration, optimisation, and support of standardised RTU architectures to enable secure, resilient, and scalable telemetry and automation systems across thousands of distributed assets.

What you’ll do as an OT RTU Development Engineer
RTU Application Development & Lifecycle Management:

• Lead the design, build, and configuration of standardised RTU application solutions.
• Develop and maintain RTU firmware libraries, templates, and configurations.
• Define and manage RTU upgrade processes to ensure maintainability and security.
• Oversee RTU release management and conformance testing.

Technical Leadership:

• Execute full software development lifecycle for RTU applications.
• Write clean, testable code using IEC 61131 languages and related platforms.
• Validate firmware and communication protocols through rigorous testing.
• Support the development of RTU architecture and integration frameworks.

Project Support & Collaboration:

• Support internal capital delivery and OT project teams with RTU technical input.
• Work with system integrators and vendors to deploy and optimise RTU solutions.
• Provide second-tier technical support and fault diagnostics for RTU installations.

Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement:

• Translate business and operational requirements into RTU technical specifications.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to align RTU functionality with operational needs.
• Coordinate with RTU vendors to ensure solution compatibility and future-readiness.
• Manage RTU-specific documentation, standards, and training content.

Quality, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure RTU systems are robust, secure, and aligned with industry and internal standards.
• Support the definition and enforcement of RTU addressing strategies and cybersecurity measures.
• Contribute to internal tender evaluations and the technical assessment of new RTU products.

Base location – Hybrid – Hampton Coal Wharf
Working pattern – 36 hours Monday to Friday

What you should bring to the role:
Essential Experience:

• Experience in RTU programming, configuration, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrable experience in RTU system deployment and maintenance in operational environments.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and fault resolution capabilities.
• Experience in balancing competing priorities and making technical decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Proven background working with SCADA and OT systems in utilities or similar industries.

Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications:

• HND or equivalent in a technical discipline (Electrical, Control Systems, Automation).
• Proficiency in RTU & SCADA platforms such as Serck, Schneider, Brodersen, Rockwell, Xylem, ClearSCADA, Wonderware, and FT View.
• Programming knowledge of IEC 61131-3 (LD, FBD, SFC, ST, IL) and structured industrial software development.
• Strong understanding of telemetry protocols (DNP3, WITS DNP3, Modbus, MQTT).
• Familiarity with Windows OS, virtualisation, and cyber-secure network architectures (IP, VPN, LAN/WAN).
• Experience with relational databases and historian platforms (e.g. Oracle, SQL, PI, Wonderware Historian).
• Excellent documentation and technical report writing skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience in internal or external customer relationship management.
• Strong understanding of OT in water, utilities, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven ability to manage conflicting priorities and technical project demands.

Desirable Technical Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience in operational water industry or OT system delivery.
• Working knowledge of OT system methodologies, architectures, and industry standards.
• Ability to communicate technical content in simplified, business-relevant language.
• Awareness of cyber-physical systems and their role in critical infrastructure resilience.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £56,000 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.