OT Standards & Governance 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 development and governance of Operational Technology (OT) standards that underpin Thames Water’s critical infrastructure.

We are seeking an OT Standards & Governance Engineer to define, implement, and maintain the technical standards, compliance frameworks, and governance processes that support the design, deployment, and maintenance of OT systems across Thames Water’s water and wastewater networks. This includes ensuring all OT systems adhere to internal specifications, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices, safeguarding consistency, quality, and operational resilience across the estate.

What you’ll do as an OT Standards & Governance Engineer

Standards & Governance Development:

• Develop, implement, and maintain OT technical standards, specifications, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure all OT systems are designed, implemented, and maintained in accordance with best practices and internal controls.
• Oversee OT document compliance and manage approved hardware lists and technical documentation.

Compliance & Audit Oversight:

• Conduct audits and inspections of framework contractors and OT system deployments.
• Monitor delivery against internal standards and ensure contractor compliance with the Control & Automation (C&A) framework.
• Support risk management and regulatory alignment of OT projects and systems.

Stakeholder Engagement & Technical Leadership:

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align technical and business objectives.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for OT governance and compliance.
• Provide clear technical advice, facilitating alignment across teams and partners.

Strategic Support & Planning:

• Support the delivery of AMP8 by ensuring projects are governed by consistent technical standards.
• Contribute to AMP9 planning, including the preparation of evidence and data for PR29 submissions.
• Guide the integration of governance into the broader OT strategy and digital transformation journey.

Supplier & Relationship Management:

• Build collaborative relationships with contractors and system integrators, fostering transparency and continuous improvement.
• Engage with delivery teams to ensure compliance without compromising efficiency or innovation.

Quality, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all standards support health, safety, and environmental performance across OT systems.
• Champion a culture of compliance, safety, and continuous improvement.

Base location – Hybrid – Sewage Treatment Works, Reading.

Working pattern – 36 hours, Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role:

Essential Experience:

• Experience working with Operational Technology standards and governance.
• Background in deploying OT systems, including SCADA, telemetry, and control systems.
• Proven knowledge of OT cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Experience working with third-party delivery partners and managing multiple stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and prioritisation skills in high-pressure environments.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and documentation capabilities.

Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications:

• Higher education qualification or equivalent experience in an engineering discipline.
• Deep understanding of OT systems and architectures, including SCADA, PLC, HMI, and industrial networks.
• Strong technical report writing, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to deliver under pressure with attention to detail and a self-motivated approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence and align diverse teams.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience in creating technical standards or specifications for OT systems.
• Project delivery, control, and performance tracking.
• Ability to simplify complex technical information for business stakeholders.
• Familiarity with contract management and commercial evaluation.
• Experience in risk management, compliance assurance, and governance integration.

Desirable Technical Skills & Qualifications:

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

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £65,000 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 a 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.