Graduate Design Engineer, Electricity Distribution

We're National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues - who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Within NGED, the Engineering Design Team develops the detailed engineering solutions that enable the construction, upgrade and reinforcement of substations across the electricity network. Working on projects ranging from asset replacement to network expansion, the team prepares the designs, technical specifications and protection settings needed to support the safe, reliable operation of the network and the transition to a lower-carbon energy future.

As a Graduate Design Engineer, you'll join our Engineering Design team and help ensure the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the electricity distribution network. Working with specialist engineers, you'll develop expertise in power system protection, analysing network behaviour and calculating the protection settings that help safeguard critical equipment from faults. You'll gain hands-on experience using industry-standard engineering tools and software while building a strong understanding of substation design, network operation and the technologies that support the UK's transition to a lower-carbon future.

You'll help design and configure protection and control systems that support the safe operation of the electricity network.

• Analyse electrical network models and calculate protection and automatic voltage control (AVC) settings for equipment operating from low voltage up to 132kV.
• Configure protection relays and develop programmable protection logic to ensure equipment responds correctly during network faults.
• Support investigations into network faults and potential protection system maloperations, helping identify causes and lessons learned.
• Work with engineers across the business to support new customer connections, asset replacement projects and network reinforcement schemes.
• Develop skills in specialist software, including SINCAL, PSSE, Aspen, AutoCAD and protection relay configuration tools.
• Contribute to the design and specification of protection and control systems for substations across the electricity distribution network.
• Provide technical analysis and engineering support while developing your knowledge of network operation, power systems and substation design.
• Build towards becoming a specialist engineer, with support to pursue professional registration and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

This role is based Avonbank, Bristol and with travel across the South West region. This means you'll be expected to travel and work around this region as part of your role.

You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a closely related engineering degree discipline.

It doesn't matter when you graduated or whether you're currently studying towards your qualification. We're looking for graduates with a strong foundation in engineering, an interest in power systems and electrical networks, and an enthusiasm for developing specialist technical expertise. Experience with power system protection, network modelling, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), coding or engineering analysis tools would be beneficial, but most importantly you'll be eager to learn, solve complex technical problems and contribute to the future of the electricity network.

Please note: Due to the amount of travel required for this role, you must obtain a full, valid UK driving licence no later than 27th June 2027 (at least three months before your start date).

If you progress to the assessment centre stage, you must have passed your driving theory test before attending and be able to provide evidence of this.

You'll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations in order to carry out the requirments of this role you'll need to travel to sites, depots/offices and our training centres.

As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 1:1 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Engineering pathway and as part of this you'll develop further key technical skills aligned to your role as well as important learning modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you will be able to access Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure your chartership.

We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you'll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your career.

National Grid is the UK's critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network and infrastructure that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day, supporting homes, businesses and communities across England and Wales.

We know the future of energy won't be shaped by what we know today. It will be shaped by what's possible tomorrow. That's why we're investing in the next generation of talent, giving apprentices, undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to learn from experts, gain hands-on experience and contribute to work that matters from day one.

Are you ready to unlock the power of the possible?

You can apply for only one opportunity across all Early Careers and Career Changer programmes. Before applying, pleaese carefully review all available programmes and choose the one that best matches your interests and career goals.

We recruit on a rolling basis across our Early Careers Roles. We may close our vacancies early once we have enough applications. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

National Grid's Early Careers opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

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