2026 Development Engineer Higher Apprentice, Customer Network Development, Leeds

National Grid; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider is seeking a Development Engineer Higher Apprentice in Leeds. In this role, you'll support the design and delivery of energy network connections, gain hands-on experience, and develop essential skills for a career in the energy sector. The apprenticeship offers competitive pay and a nationally recognized qualification upon completion.

Benefits

Starting salary of £31,310

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Opportunity for permanent employment

Qualifications

• Have a minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4, including English.
• Achieve two A-Levels at grade C or above, or equivalent BTEC.
• Possess a full valid UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Support the design of energy network connections.
• Analyse data and assess project feasibility.
• Collaborate with customers and project teams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Minimum of five GCSEs including English

Two A-Levels at grade C or above, or equivalent

Job description

About the role

As a Development Engineer Higher Apprentice at National Grid, you'll be part of our Customer Network Development (CND) team, playing a key role in connecting homes, businesses, and communities to the energy network.

Being a part of this team, you will contribute to National Grid's mission to enable the energy transition and support a more sustainable future. CND is actively redesigning how customers are connected to energy to look at how to reduce lead times and improve customer satisfaction, as a Development Engineer Higher Apprentice you will be part of that innovation.

Within this role you help design and deliver technical solutions, working closely with industry partners and customers to ensure everything runs smoothly and meets the highest standards. This will include:

• Support the design of energy network connections, including electrical layouts and infrastructure planning, to meet customer needs.
• Analyse data and assess project feasibility, helping inform smart decisions about network capacity and connection options.
• Collaborate with customers, project teams, and regulators to gather requirements and ensure projects stay aligned and on track.
• Gain hands‑on experience through site visits, inspections, and solving technical challenges during the development process.
• Play a key role in connecting new customers to the energy network, while learning essential engineering and project delivery skills.

Location

This role is based in the Leeds office and offers flexible, hybrid working. You will be required to travel to our site locations for business across our region in the North East of England. As part of your programme you'll be required to attend our National Grid Training Centre based at Eakring, Newark.

About you

You will need to have

• You will have a minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English language.
• Have or be predicted to achieve two A-Levels at grade C or above one of which must be in either Maths or Physics OR BTEC National Certificate OR Diploma Level 3 in either Electrical & Electronic Engineering or Engineering discipline at Grade Merit or Distinction.
• You must already have a full valid UK driving license in place at the point you make your application.

You do not need prior work experience; the determination and will to succeed is far more important as we will teach you everything you need to know. The role will provide you with a variety of skills including transferrable skills to support your career development within National Grid.

What you'll get

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £31,310 for this apprenticeship which will increase annually.

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Higher Apprenticeship programmes are like no other! 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:

• Upon successful completion of your 18 month apprenticeship you will achieve a nationally recognised accredited qualification, Level 4 Electrical Power Networks Engineer.
• 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays.
• Pension scheme and sharesave options.
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work, buy/sell holiday to name a few.
• Opportunity to enrol in our sharesave/share incentive plans.
• You’ll develop well‑rounded skills through practical experience.
• A permanent position upon successful completion of your Apprenticeship.

About National Grid

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 doesn'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 adjustments that you require.

Further Information

You can only apply for one Apprenticeship opportunity during this recruitment cycle.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process.

Assessment centres will be held between January - April 2026.

National Grid's Apprenticeship programme in the UK is 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

At National Grid, it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger, so we pride ourselves on placing diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do and are committed to building a workforce of the future which represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office where and when needed. All our offers are based on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, the innovation from creating diverse teams and perspectives, as well as business need.