2026 Development Engineer Industrial Placement, Customer Network Development

National Grid; Bristol; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the UK seeks a Development Engineer for their Customer Network Development function in Bristol. This role involves managing customer connection projects, conducting technical assessments, and enhancing service delivery. Ideal candidates are penultimate year students pursuing relevant engineering degrees with a full UK driving license. Opportunities for career progression within the company are available.

Benefits

Starting salary of £24,109

26 days holiday

Access to Graduate Programme upon successful placement

Pension plan and flexible benefits

Development training and volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Penultimate year student with a focus on relevant engineering disciplines.
• Full valid UK driving license required.
• Flexibility to travel for role responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main point of contact for customers throughout the connection process.
• Manage customer connection projects from initial enquiry to delivery.
• Conduct technical assessments for feasibility and impact of connections.

Skills

Technical assessments

Project management

Customer service

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Minimum 2:2 degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy.

About The Role

This role sits within the Customer Network Development (CND) function at National Grid, which is dedicated to connecting new and existing generation and demand customers to the energy network. CND is responsible for building offers that include contractual and technical requirements, developing customer connections through appropriate technical designs, and managing efficient delivery. The team prioritises strong relationships with customers and industry partners, ensuring compliance with relevant codes and frameworks. CND is also leading efforts to redesign the connections process-reducing lead times and enhancing customer satisfaction-while delivering excellent customer service and supporting the energy transition.

As a Development Engineer within the Customer Network Development (CND) function at National Grid, you'll play a key role in connecting new and existing generation and demand customers to the electricity network-supporting the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy future.

In this role, you'll be the primary point of contact for customers throughout the connection journey. You'll manage the end-to-end process-from initial enquiry through to project delivery-ensuring that connections are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. Your responsibilities will include conducting technical assessments to evaluate the feasibility and impact of new connections, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, and resolving any issues that arise during the process.

CND is also at the forefront of redesigning the connections process to reduce lead times and improve customer satisfaction. As a Development Engineer, you'll contribute to these improvements while delivering excellent service and helping shape the future of the energy network.

What You'll Do

• Act as the main point of contact for customers throughout the connection process.
• Manage the full lifecycle of customer connection projects-from initial enquiry to delivery.
• Conduct technical assessments to evaluate the feasibility and impact of new connections on the existing network.
• Develop and propose appropriate technical solutions that meet customer needs and comply with industry standards.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure smooth and timely project delivery.
• Monitor project progress, ensuring delivery is on time, within budget, and to the required quality and safety standards.
• Identify and resolve issues that arise during the connection process, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Support the continuous improvement of the connections process to reduce lead times and enhance service quality.
• Contribute to National Grid's mission of enabling the energy transition and building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Our Industrial Placement

Our 12-month Industrial Placement offers you the opportunity to kickstart your career within the energy sector and discover your unique superpower. Throughout your placement, you'll receive a tailored development programme designed to support your growth and development. This includes a combination of in-person and virtual training sessions led by our development team, as well as access to a range digital learning tools to help further enhance your skills.

Throughout your placement you'll have opportunity to make connections amongst your cohort as well as regular check ins with a mentor and our Early Careers Team. Day-to-day, your placement manager will provide you access to a variety of on-the-job opportunities where you'll take on real assignments and projects to make a genuine impact within your respective function. By the end of your placement, you'll have developed your understanding of our business and the energy sector for your future career.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to be in your penultimate year and expecting to achieve a minimum 2:2 degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you'll need to currently have a full valid UK driving license at the time of application.

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

Location

This role is based in Bristol, with travel required to various sites across the South West & Wales Portfolio. You’ll be expected to work across multiple locations within this region as part of your responsibilities.

What You’ll Get In Return

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Industrial Placement programmes are like no other. You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, providing you with a taster of the opportunities that await you. In addition, you’ll also receive some great rewards and benefits:

• Starting salary of £24,109
• 26 days holiday
• A chance to land a place on our Graduate Programme subject to your performance during your placement.
• Pensions plan, share-option scheme and flexible benefits
• 3 days development training, volunteering opportunities, close mentorship and regular feedback
• Invitation to join Newnet, our new starters network and employee resource group

You’ll gain more than just experience. We believe in nurturing talent and recognising exceptional performance. If you excel during your placement, you may receive an offer to join our Graduate Programme after you successfully complete your degree.

More Information

You can only apply for one Industrial Placement opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our student opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

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 November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student 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 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.

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