System Optimisation Engineer

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced operational environment and using data and engineering insight to solve real system challenges, this System Optimisation Engineer role could be a great next step for you.

You’ll be working across a large hydraulic area, helping to keep the clean water network running smoothly while balancing customer service, leakage, and regulatory targets. This is a role where you can really make an impact, working closely with different teams and getting involved in both day-to-day operations and longer-term improvements.

What you’ll be doing as a System Optimisation Engineer

• Monitoring and resolving low pressure issues, customer complaints and network risks.
• Supporting and leading technical input into engineering and customer projects.
• Acting as a technical lead during unplanned or emergency events.
• Writing and reviewing risk assessments for work impacting the water network.
• Working closely with leakage teams and other stakeholders to optimise system performance.
• Supporting long-term planning around resilience, water quality and system stability.
• Helping develop operating strategies to maintain a calm and compliant network.
• Reviewing and approving new connections and development requests.

Base location: Croydon – CR0 8YY

Working hours: 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week, with possible participation in a technical standby rota in future (1 in 8 weeks)

What you should bring to the role

• A degree in Engineering or a relevant technical discipline would be desirable.
• Strong understanding of hydraulic systems and water network operations.
• Experience working within a regulated environment, ideally in water or utilities.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret operational data.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with multiple stakeholders, and a proactive mindset with a willingness to learn and develop.

What’s in it for you?

This is a great opportunity to join a high-profile team where your work directly impacts customers and the performance of the network, while also giving you exposure to a wide range of stakeholders and projects across the business.

• Competitive salary from £39,770 up to £45,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• 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 yourself 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 (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

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.