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Instrumentation Operations Technician

Date:  31 Jul 2026
Location: 

Chelmsford, GB, CM1 4LU

Company:  National Gas
Requisition ID:  3023

£44,642 to £52,519 (depending on experience) + up to 6% bonus + access to liveried vehicle

  • Up to 10-15% additional earnings through overtime and standby

Chelmsford - covering Essex and Thames Estuary assets

You’ll work across a defined regional patch (East 5), covering sites from Essex through to the Thames Estuary, with travel required across the area five days a week.

About us

At National Gas, the work we do matters.

 

As Britain's national gas network, we help keep the lights on, businesses running, and homes warm by maintaining the critical infrastructure that transports gas across Great Britain. While providing the energy security Britain relies on today, we're also helping transform the network for a clean energy future.

 

Join us and help secure Britain's energy.

About the role

Keep critical energy infrastructure running safely and reliably. We’re looking for an Instrumentation Operations Technician to deliver hands-on support across compressor stations, pipelines and AGI assets.

 

These are predominantly pipelines-focused opportunities within our operations team, where you’ll maintain and support mechanical systems across operational gas infrastructure. You’ll carry out fault finding, repairs and performance improvement, playing a key role in both routine maintenance and emergency response.

 

This role provides exposure to a range of disciplines, enabling you to develop experience beyond your core specialism. This is a field-based role, working closely with technicians and wider teams to keep assets safe, compliant and performing at their best.

Why this role matters

The national transmission system underpins essential energy supply. Your work directly protects asset integrity, keeps gas flowing, and supports safe, uninterrupted operations.

 

You’ll take ownership of high-risk activities, support emergency response, and influence how sites operate - with real impact on safety, reliability and performance.

What you'll be doing

  • Manage installation, inspection, commissioning and maintenance of plant and pipeline assets
  • Manage maintenance across plant, including rotating equipment, valves and pressure systems
  • Deliver fault diagnosis and repair to maximise availability and reliability
  • Lead safe systems of work, issuing permits and defining isolations
  • Maintain accurate asset, maintenance and operational records in line with regulatory requirements
  • Support commissioning of new assets and contribute to minor design improvements
  • Respond to incidents and support emergency operations, including standby cover
  • Oversee contractor activity to ensure safety and technical compliance
  • Participating in a standby rota once fully trained, typically one week in every four or five

What you'll bring

This role would suit someone who brings strong field-based engineering experience and thrives in disciplined, safety-led environments.

 

Essential

  • Proven maintenance and operations experience in instrumentation engineering (or similar process industry)
  • Experience diagnosing faults and maintaining plant and equipment in hazardous or safety-critical environment
  • Strong working knowledge of safe systems of work, including permits and isolations
  • Understanding of process plant operation and cross-discipline equipment interaction
  • Knowledge of relevant technical and health & safety legislation
  • Recognised engineering apprenticeship or equivalent, plus Level 3 qualification (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds)
  • Full UK driving licence

 

Desirable

  • CompEx EX01–04 certification
  • Experience with rotating plant, compressors, pipelines etc.
  • Experience with DSEAR-regulated environments
  • Exposure to cyber security standards (e.g. IEC 62443)
  • Experience supporting construction and commissioning projects

Security clearance

This role is subject to National Security Vetting (NSV). Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC) throughout their employment. For further information, visit GOV.UK (UK Security Vetting: Clearance Levels).

What we offer

  • Market-leading double-match pension (up to 12% company contribution)
  • Annual performance bonus up to 6%
  • Access to the Tusker salary sacrifice car scheme
  • 26 days holiday (plus statutory holidays)
  • 10x salary life assurance and income protection
  • Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and technology options
  • Family-friendly policies, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities

Inclusive recruitment

We're building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, championing diversity, and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

 

National Gas is a Disability Confident employer and signatory of the Armed Forces.

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