Closing Date

Senior Automation Engineering

Location: Durrington (with regular travel to Falmer)

Contract: Permanent Full-time (37 hours per week) with flexible start and finish times available to support work-life balance

Hybrid: Minimum 2 days onsite

Salary: 54600

Role Overview

Were building our Process & Intelligent Automation team and are looking for an experienced Automation Engineering Manager to lead and develop our automation capability.

In this role youll lead a team of Automation Engineers responsible for designing building and optimising automation solutions using Power Platform Copilot RPA and Azure technologies. Youll play a key role in shaping how automation is adopted across the business helping teams improve processes increase efficiency and support wider digital transformation initiatives.

Working closely with senior stakeholders process owners architects and platform specialists youll provide technical leadership while establishing standards governance and best practices to ensure solutions are scalable secure and sustainable.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a new and evolving capability where youll have the opportunity to influence strategy build team capability and make a significant impact from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mentor and develop a growing team of Automation Engineers.

• Define and drive the automation roadmap in line with business priorities.

• Oversee the design development and deployment of automation solutions using Power Platform RPA Azure and Copilot technologies.

• Establish and maintain technical standards governance frameworks and development best practices.

• Work with stakeholders across the organisation to identify and prioritise automation opportunities.

• Ensure solutions align with security compliance and architectural requirements.

• Drive adoption of modern development practices including CI/CD testing documentation and release management.

• Support the evaluation and introduction of emerging technologies including AI-enabled automation.

• Provide technical guidance and leadership across complex automation and integration projects.

Essential Skills & Experience

• A minimum of 5 years experience delivering and leading automation solutions within an enterprise environment.

• Previous experience managing mentoring or leading technical teams.

• Strong experience with Microsoft Power Platform including Power Automate Power Apps Power Pages and IVA.

• Experience developing automation solutions using Power Automate (Cloud & Desktop) and Copilot agents.

• Strong understanding of intelligent automation workflow orchestration and process optimisation.

• Ability to design and oversee integrations between business systems and platforms.

• Strong understanding of governance security and platform management including DLP RBAC and identity management.

• Experience working within structured delivery environments using CI/CD testing frameworks documentation and release processes.

• Excellent stakeholder management communication and influencing skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance strategic thinking and technical delivery.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Microsoft certifications (PL-100 PL-200 PL-400).

• Azure certifications (AZ-900 AI-900 AZ-204).

• Experience with Copilot Studio and AI-enabled automation solutions.

• Knowledge of API-led and event-driven architectures.

• Experience with Alteryx or similar data and analytics tooling.

• Familiarity with enterprise systems such as ServiceNow SAP or GIS platforms.

• Experience leading a Centre of Excellence (CoE) or automation practice.

• Passion for emerging technology and intelligent automation.

Progression opportunities

Southern Water offers career progression training and development opportunities.

About Southern Water

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britains water industry investing significantly to enhance resilience sustainability and service excellence. With 7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30 this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

At Southern Water we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If youre passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team wed love to hear from youeven if you dont tick every box.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds identities and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race ethnicity gender sexual orientation age disability religion or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process please let us know.

At Southern Water we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If youre passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team wed love to hear from youeven if you dont tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

If this role isnt quite what youre looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (- Introduce Yourself)

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds identities and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race ethnicity gender sexual orientation age disability religion or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process please let us know.

Additional information:

In line with Southern Waters security requirements successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity eligibility to work in the UK criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment checks including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting which may involve providing additional documentation.