Full job descriptionPowered by Water, Driven by Purpose
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.
We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
We’re looking for an experienced and driven M&E Maintenance Manager to lead a team of mechanical and electrical technicians, ensuring the reliability and performance of critical wastewater assets.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll combine strong technical expertise with people management to deliver safe, compliant, and efficient operational performance. You’ll play a key role in maintaining asset resilience, responding to complex issues, and driving continuous improvement across maintenance activities.
What you’ll be doing:*Lead and develop a team of M&E technicians, providing technical guidance and day-to-day direction

*Ensure the availability, serviceability, and compliance of operational assets

*Plan and prioritise maintenance activities, balancing reactive and planned work

*Respond to operational incidents, diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues

*Build strong relationships with operational teams, contractors, and suppliers

*Drive continuous improvement in maintenance standards, processes, and efficiency

*Ensure full compliance with health & safety standards, including risk assessments and permits

*Manage budgets (OPEX & CAPEX) and support effective decision-making and escalation where needed

*Support and develop team members through performance management and development plans



What we’re looking for:Qualifications & Experience*Mechanical or Electrical apprenticeship (or equivalent)

*Recognised management qualification

*Experience leading teams within an engineering or process-based environment

*Strong background in maintenance of mechanical and/or electrical assets

*Ideally experience within water, wastewater, or a similar industrial environment

(NEBOSH and CompEx qualifications are desirable)
Skills & Knowledge*Strong technical understanding of M&E systems and maintenance principles

*Proven leadership and people management skills

*Ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing demands

*Experience in root cause analysis and continuous improvement

*Knowledge of health & safety legislation and best practices

*Confident using IT systems and MS Office

What’s in it for you?We recognise the commitment our people give every day, and in return we offer outstanding training, career opportunities and a generous benefits package, including:
*Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays

*Discretionary bonus scheme

*Competitive contributory pension

*Share-save scheme

*A range of health and wellbeing benefits

*Wellbeing and employee support programmes

*Access to a wide range of discounts

*Cycle to Work Scheme

*Financial support services
…and more!

If you’re a proactive leader with strong technical expertise and a passion for delivering operational excellence, we’d love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 11th June 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.


Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
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.