At Thames Water, we’re constantly innovating to ensure our water supply is safe, sustainable, and resilient. As a Senior Innovation Engineer / Scientist, you’ll guide pioneering research and cutting-edge projects to enhance potable water treatment. Working closely with teams across the business, you’ll identify and implement new technologies, analyse data to solve complex challenges, and drive improvements that make a real impact on our customers, communities, and the environment.
What you’ll be doing as a Senior Innovation Engineer / Scientist
As a Senior Innovation Engineer / Scientist, you’ll provide expert technical direction and support across a range of research, innovation, and operational activities. Your focus will be on identifying, assessing, and implementing solutions to enhance potable water treatment processes.
Day to day, you’ll be:
* Leading key innovation projects and technical groups, including hands-on pilot plant design, operation, maintenance, supervision and associated sampling and basic laboratory work.
* Providing technical support on risk management and business challenges in drinking water treatment.
* Building strong relationships with internal teams and external research organisations.
* Evaluating data and producing robust technical reports to inform strategic decisions.
* Delivering projects efficiently, ensuring cost-effectiveness and timely execution.
* Mentoring and supporting team members in technical development.
* Promoting a strong health and safety culture across the business and with partners.
Base location: Kempton Park (TW13 6XH) Hybrid – on site 2-3 times per week. With travel to other sites as required.
Working pattern or hours: 36-hours per week.
Requirements for the role: Valid UK Driving Licence.
What you should bring to the role
* A strong technical background in water treatment, especially surface water filtration.
* A willingness to share your knowledge, learn about new technologies, and contribute to exploring new ideas to solve current and emerging business challenges.
* Broad knowledge of related areas such as wastewater treatment, water reuse, and networks.
* Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
* Excellent communication skills – written, oral, and presentational.
* Awareness of financial management, including forecasting and budgeting.
* Confidence in engaging with contractors and suppliers in project settings.
* A strong commitment to health and safety.
* A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant STEM subject.
What’s in it for you?
Joining our team means being part of a company that values innovation and is committed to solving the challenges of today while building resilience for tomorrow.
Here’s what you can expect alongside that:
* Competitive salary from £45,000 to £55,000 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 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. We aim 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, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.
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.