Operational Technology Graduate
About the role
Location: Cornwall and Devon
Salary: £30,000
Start Date: September 2026
Application Deadline: 11th April 2026
Who We Are… At Pennon, Digital & IT plays a critical role in keeping essential services running safely, securely and efficiently. Our Operational Technology (OT) and SCADA systems underpin the day‑to‑day operation of water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and networks across the Southwest.
These systems allow our operational teams to monitor, control and protect vital infrastructure in real time. From treatment works and pumping stations to remote assets, our Digital & IT teams help ensure services are reliable, resilient and secure.
As a graduate joining our Digital & IT function, you’ll work at the intersection of technology and real‑world operations, learning how industrial systems, data and cyber security come together to support essential services that protect public health and the environment.
What You’d Be Doing… This graduate role places you within our Digital & IT teams, gaining hands‑on experience across Operational Technology, SCADA and industrial control systems that support wastewater and clean water operations.
As a Digital & IT Graduate (OT & SCADA), you could:
- Support the configuration, testing and commissioning of SCADA systems used to monitor and control operational assets
- Help integrate control systems such as PLCs, RTUs and telemetry into wider monitoring platforms
- Assist with alarm configuration, data trending, reporting and visualisation to support operational decision‑making
- Work alongside engineers to diagnose faults and support live operational systems safely
- Contribute to OT cyber security activities, system hardening and standards compliance
- Support projects that improve system resilience, consistency and performance
- Build an understanding of how Digital & IT underpins water and wastewater treatment processes
You’ll rotate across different Digital & IT and operational teams, giving you exposure to both project delivery and day‑to‑day operational support.
Who You Are… We’re keen to hear from graduates who are curious about technology, enjoy problem‑solving, and want to understand how digital systems operate in real‑world, safety‑critical environments.
You Might Be a Great Fit If You
- Are working toward (or have achieved) a degree in IT, Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, Cyber Security or a related discipline
- Enjoy understanding how systems, data and technology interact with physical assets
- Have an interest in industrial systems, networks, automation or cyber security
- Can explain technical ideas clearly and work well with both technical and non‑technical colleagues
- Care about safety, security and doing things properly
- Are keen to learn, ask questions and build hands‑on technical skills
- Stay calm under pressure and enjoy structured problem‑solving
You’ll Also Need
- The right to work in the UK
- A full UK driving licence
Don’t worry if you don’t tick every box. You won’t be expected to arrive with all the answers, curiosity, motivation and a willingness to learn matter most.
What’s In It For You…
- A structured graduate programme: Rotations across Digital & IT, Operational Technology and engineering teams
- A mentor or buddy: Support from experienced OT and Digital professionals
- Hands‑on experience: Work with live systems that support essential water and wastewater services
- Professional development: Technical training in SCADA, OT systems, cyber security and industry standards
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Meaningful work: Technology that directly supports environmental protection and public health
- A values‑led culture: Safety, integrity, collaboration, innovation and customer care
Closing Date: 11th April
We reserve the right to close this Vacancy before the advertised Close Date. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK for the full duration of the 2-year programme. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this programme.
We’re committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and ensuring everyone can participate in our recruitment process fully and fairly. If you need any adjustments or face any barriers in our processes, just let us know. We'll work with you to make sure you can show us what you can do.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are: Be Rock Solid
-
Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You
-
We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future
-
Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Founded in 1989, Pennon is a FTSE 250 listed company and one of the leading businesses in the UK water sector.
Serving a population of c.3.5million people and c.380,000 business customers, we're committed to supporting the lives of people and the places they love for generations to come.
About Pennon Group Plc
Pennon is one of the largest environmental infrastructure groups in the UK. At the top end of the FTSE 250, the Group has assets of around £5.7 billion and a workforce of over 4,800 people.
OUR BUSINESSES: WATER AND WASTEWATER
SOUTH WEST WATER Providing water and wastewater services to a population of c.1.7 million in Cornwall, Devon and parts of Dorset and Somerset. South West Water was awarded enhanced status for its 2015-2020 Business Plan, and has the highest potential returns in the water sector.
BOURNEMOUTH WATER Providing water services to a population of c.0.5 million in areas of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Bournemouth Water was acquired in April 2015 and has been substantially integrated with South West Water to deliver synergies and savings.
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Operational Technology Graduate
About the role
Location: Cornwall and Devon
Salary: £30,000
Start Date: September 2026
Application Deadline: 11th April 2026
Who We Are… At Pennon, Digital & IT plays a critical role in keeping essential services running safely, securely and efficiently. Our Operational Technology (OT) and SCADA systems underpin the day‑to‑day operation of water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and networks across the Southwest.
These systems allow our operational teams to monitor, control and protect vital infrastructure in real time. From treatment works and pumping stations to remote assets, our Digital & IT teams help ensure services are reliable, resilient and secure.
As a graduate joining our Digital & IT function, you’ll work at the intersection of technology and real‑world operations, learning how industrial systems, data and cyber security come together to support essential services that protect public health and the environment.
What You’d Be Doing… This graduate role places you within our Digital & IT teams, gaining hands‑on experience across Operational Technology, SCADA and industrial control systems that support wastewater and clean water operations.
As a Digital & IT Graduate (OT & SCADA), you could:
- Support the configuration, testing and commissioning of SCADA systems used to monitor and control operational assets
- Help integrate control systems such as PLCs, RTUs and telemetry into wider monitoring platforms
- Assist with alarm configuration, data trending, reporting and visualisation to support operational decision‑making
- Work alongside engineers to diagnose faults and support live operational systems safely
- Contribute to OT cyber security activities, system hardening and standards compliance
- Support projects that improve system resilience, consistency and performance
- Build an understanding of how Digital & IT underpins water and wastewater treatment processes
You’ll rotate across different Digital & IT and operational teams, giving you exposure to both project delivery and day‑to‑day operational support.
Who You Are… We’re keen to hear from graduates who are curious about technology, enjoy problem‑solving, and want to understand how digital systems operate in real‑world, safety‑critical environments.
You Might Be a Great Fit If You
- Are working toward (or have achieved) a degree in IT, Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, Cyber Security or a related discipline
- Enjoy understanding how systems, data and technology interact with physical assets
- Have an interest in industrial systems, networks, automation or cyber security
- Can explain technical ideas clearly and work well with both technical and non‑technical colleagues
- Care about safety, security and doing things properly
- Are keen to learn, ask questions and build hands‑on technical skills
- Stay calm under pressure and enjoy structured problem‑solving
You’ll Also Need
- The right to work in the UK
- A full UK driving licence
Don’t worry if you don’t tick every box. You won’t be expected to arrive with all the answers, curiosity, motivation and a willingness to learn matter most.
What’s In It For You…
- A structured graduate programme: Rotations across Digital & IT, Operational Technology and engineering teams
- A mentor or buddy: Support from experienced OT and Digital professionals
- Hands‑on experience: Work with live systems that support essential water and wastewater services
- Professional development: Technical training in SCADA, OT systems, cyber security and industry standards
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Meaningful work: Technology that directly supports environmental protection and public health
- A values‑led culture: Safety, integrity, collaboration, innovation and customer care
Closing Date: 11th April
We reserve the right to close this Vacancy before the advertised Close Date. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK for the full duration of the 2-year programme. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this programme.
We’re committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and ensuring everyone can participate in our recruitment process fully and fairly. If you need any adjustments or face any barriers in our processes, just let us know. We'll work with you to make sure you can show us what you can do.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are: Be Rock Solid
-
Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You
-
We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future
-
Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Founded in 1989, Pennon is a FTSE 250 listed company and one of the leading businesses in the UK water sector.
Serving a population of c.3.5million people and c.380,000 business customers, we're committed to supporting the lives of people and the places they love for generations to come.
About Pennon Group Plc
Pennon is one of the largest environmental infrastructure groups in the UK. At the top end of the FTSE 250, the Group has assets of around £5.7 billion and a workforce of over 4,800 people.
OUR BUSINESSES: WATER AND WASTEWATER
SOUTH WEST WATER Providing water and wastewater services to a population of c.1.7 million in Cornwall, Devon and parts of Dorset and Somerset. South West Water was awarded enhanced status for its 2015-2020 Business Plan, and has the highest potential returns in the water sector.
BOURNEMOUTH WATER Providing water services to a population of c.0.5 million in areas of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Bournemouth Water was acquired in April 2015 and has been substantially integrated with South West Water to deliver synergies and savings.