Graduate Substation Engineer 2023

As owners of Wales and England’s electricity transmission network, we’re at the vanguard of the energy transition. We’re looking for the brightest engineering graduates to help propel us forwards into a greener energy future. We’re offering a highly unique, immersive experience, designed to give you an in-depth understanding of substation engineering.

During the 24-month Graduate Development Programme (made up of four, six-month placements) based in our substations, you’ll be training and shadowing an experienced member of staff.

The placements are

• Project Lead - You’ll learn about how to lead the safety and productivity of substation engineering tasks
• Senior Authorised Person - You’ll learn about becoming responsible for safety from the high-voltage electricity transmission system, maintenance of substation equipment and replacement of substation assets
• Commissioning Engineer - You’ll learn about commissioning new equipment onto the system
• For your fourth and final placement you will return to the Senior Authorised Person role

At the end of the two years’, you’ll begin a full-time job as a Substation Engineer. This is a job where the decisions you make will impact the transmission of electricity in England and Wales for the next 40 or 50 years. A job where you’ll be delivering maintenance work, replacing, and refurbishing assets, fixing mechanical and electrical issues, and connecting new customers. A job that helps connect energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar farms, to the transmission network.

If you want to make a similar impact in energy and sustainability, we’d be very interested in hearing from you!

“The whole experience has been excellent, and I’ve learnt so much about engineering. I really enjoyed the training, mixing, and working with my cohort, and seeing how the business fits together.”

Tim Elliott, Former Graduate

The role is based in the London/South-East/Central areas

About you

You’re enthusiastic about electrical engineering and are looking for an ethical company that is actively contributing to a greener energy future. You’re committed to developing yourself, and always ready to ask questions of your colleagues in order to learn. You are also just as keen to do your own research and find out as much as you possibly can about your subject.

You are willing to work hard and able to quickly pick things up. You can give and take feedback and contribute to your team in a meaningful way. You’re not just interested in the graduate programme but in the job at the end of it. We’re going to be investing a lot in you, so we need you to do the same, and really make the most of the opportunity.

You’ll have at least a 2:2 in a degree based on electrical principles, such as electrical engineering, power systems engineering or electronics.

You will also have a valid full UK Driving Licence 3 months prior to your start date.

What you'll get

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £30,278 (Bachelors) or £31,379 (Masters).

You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, understand what a career with us can offer, and receive some great rewards and benefits:

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 25 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Cost of living allowance (inner London, Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan areas)
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback, and volunteering opportunities.

National Grid is committed to the personal development of our staff. Joining us, you’ll be supported as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills through structured training and on the-job experience. You’ll work closely with your line manager to establish and navigate through a Personal Development Plan that is tailored to your needs.

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the energy future, and our people are at the heart of National Grid. We’re 30,000 colleagues strong.  In the UK, National Grid don’t generate or sell energy – we join the dots to get energy from A to B. From making a cup of tea in the morning, to keeping the lights on in hospitals, our electricity network puts power in the hands of people. Without it, the world as we know it would grind to a halt.

The world of energy is changing beyond recognition as we focus on building a cleaner, greener future. Working at National Grid, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in the UK – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Our values and principles

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.