This is a key role within a 24/7 control room where you will be responsible for the end‑to‑end operation and optimisation of the water supply system. This role ensures the safe, efficient movement of over 2,000 Ml/d of clean water to around 9 million customers across London and the Thames Valley.
Focusing on the strategic control of treatment works, reservoirs, abstraction and system balances, the System Operator manages storage, production, and system resilience within a highly regulated environment.
Decisions made in this role directly influence security of supply, water quality, energy efficiency and overall system stability, making it a critical position within one of the UK’s largest water distribution systems.
What you’ll be doing as a Hydraulic System Operator
- Monitoring and controlling the water supply system using SCADA and telemetry to make sure water is produced, stored and distributed safely and efficiently.
- Managing system performance in real time, responding to alarms, incidents and changing demand to protect customers and assets.
- Maximising abstraction within licence limits while maintaining safe levels of raw and treated water storage.
- Developing and applying operating strategies to balance supply, demand and resilience.
- Working closely with treatment works, planners and field teams to coordinate activities and minimise risk.
- Keeping accurate logs, records and compliance reports to support safe and consistent operations.
- Identifying and escalating risks where needed, helping to prevent service or water quality issues.
Base location: office-based role in Reading, Kemble Court
Working hours: 24/7 rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays
What you should bring to the role
- Experience working in a fast-paced or operational environment where decisions need to be made in real time.
- Strong analytical thinking, with the ability to interpret data, spot trends and understand how systems behave.
- Confident decision-making skills, using information and evidence to guide your actions.
- Good communication skills, with the ability to work closely with different teams and stakeholders.
- A high level of attention to detail and the ability to follow processes consistently.
- Experience in utilities, infrastructure, control rooms or similar environments, with familiarity of systems like SCADA or telemetry being helpful.
- This is a great opportunity to be part of a team that keeps a critical service running every day, with plenty of variety, responsibility and the chance to make a real impact.
What’s in it for you?
- This role will be paid from £32,715 up to £45,000 per annum depending on skills and experience
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
- 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 (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 meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
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.
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. 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.
