Technical Lead - Clean Water

Clean Water Engineer (Technical Lead)
Location: Reading
Salary: £48,000 + up to 15% Annual Bonus
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, Sharesave scheme, award-winning training and development, electric vehicle scheme and much more.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing business delivering critical utility services across the UK. As part of our continued growth, were looking for an experienced Clean Water Engineer (Technical Lead) to support a high-profile Ministry of Defence contract based in Reading.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become the technical authority for clean water networks, ensuring drinking water quality, regulatory compliance and operational excellence across a secure estate.

If youre passionate about protecting water quality, solving technical challenges and leading investigations that make a real difference, wed love to hear from you.

The Role

As the Clean Water Engineer (Technical Lead), youll provide expert technical leadership across potable water networks and associated infrastructure.
Working alongside operational teams, senior stakeholders and regulatory bodies, youll lead complex technical investigations, improve network performance and ensure compliance with drinking water regulations and industry best practice.
This is a varied role where no two days are the same, combining technical problem-solving with operational support, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the technical lead for clean water distribution networks and potable water systems.
• Lead investigations into water quality events, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with DW1 requirements and Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) standards.
• Provide technical support for clean water network operations, pressure management and asset performance.
• Investigate customer water quality issues and develop long-term engineering solutions.
• Liaise with the Environment Agency and other regulatory stakeholders during investigations, audits and compliance activities.
• Develop and review technical procedures, risk assessments and operational standards.
• Support capital investment and network improvement programmes.
• Analyse network performance data, telemetry and water quality trends to improve resilience and operational performance.
• Utilise SCADA systems where available to monitor network performance (desirable, not essential).
• Mentor engineers and operational teams, sharing technical knowledge and best practice.
• Support emergency response activities and provide technical expertise during operational incidents.

About You

Youll ideally have experience of:

• Clean water distribution networks.
• Drinking water quality and regulatory compliance.
• DW1 compliance.
• Water quality investigations and root cause analysis.
• Liaising with the Environment Agency and regulatory bodies.
• Clean water network operations and optimisation.
• Hydrant testing and potable water infrastructure.
• Producing technical reports and recommendations.
• SCADA systems (desirable but not essential).

Relevant qualifications in Water Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline (HNC/HND, NVQ Level 4 or equivalent) are desirable.
Due to the nature of this work, successful applicants must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.

What Youll Receive

Market-leading package that includes:

• £48,000 basic salary.
• Annual performance bonus of up to 15%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Buy or sell up to five additional days annual leave.
• Industry-leading pension with employer contributions of up to 15%.
• Award-winning learning and development through our Academy.
• Sharesave scheme.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.

If youre looking for a role where your technical expertise will help protect drinking water quality across critical UK infrastructure, wed love to hear from you.