2026 Trainee Design Engineer Higher Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution, Bristol

National Grid; Bristol; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the UK is seeking a Trainee Design Engineer Higher Apprentice in Bristol to specialize in substation design. The role offers on-the-job training and a structured apprenticeship program, leading to higher-level qualifications. Competitive salary starts at £26,899 with increases as experience grows. Benefits include annual leave, a pension scheme, and learning from industry professionals.

Benefits

26 days annual leave + statutory holidays

Competitive pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Fully funded qualification

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Maths (Grade A*-B/9-6) required.
• A Levels in Maths and a Science (A*-C) preferred.
• HNC/HND or Degree in relevant engineering fields preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed designs, drawings, specifications, and schedules for substations.
• Complete on-the-job training and formal courses.
• Achieve a higher-level qualification during apprenticeship.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Resilience

Willingness to learn

Education

GCSE in English and Maths (Grade A*-B/9-6)

A Levels in Maths and Science (Grade A*-C)

HNC/HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Maths, Physics, Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About us

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, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts.

Net‑zero targets are transforming the way we work and increasing the scope of the positive impact we can make. Right now, we're looking for apprentices to join us.

Our people in Network Services work across a number of teams to keep the lights on for our customers. They might be helping a customer who has lost supply or supporting a developer building a multi‑million pound project.

They maintain a 24/7 service from faults and maintenance, asset replacement to new connections, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts, their work is critical to everything we do.

About The Role

As a Trainee Design Engineer Higher Apprentice (office based) you will specialise in the design of substations energised at up to 132,000 volts, preparing detailed project‑specific designs/drawings/specifications and schedules. These designs would relate to both the physical attributes of substations and also the control systems therein.

The training programme provides on‑the‑job training and formal courses held in one of our Training Centre's at either Taunton or Tipton, over a period of approximately two years (depending on entry level qualifications). Successful candidates will also be expected to study for and achieve a higher‑level qualification. The majority of the on‑the‑job training will take place within local teams, but you may be required to undertake placements at other locations across the National Grid service area, so you need to be flexible and able to travel.

You will progress towards the role of an engineer within Engineering Design and the apprenticeship programme takes around five years to complete. You'll spend your first 10 - 12 weeks being inducted onto the programme at one of our Training Centres. You'll earn while you learn and develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours to become an Electrical Designer, achieving a higher‑level qualification (if not already achieved). Your Training will include vocational and academic courses along with placements across our service areas. During these placements you will undertake managed office or field‑based training with a team where you can put your new skills into practice.

As you will be studying for a higher‑level qualification, you will be required to undertake placements at your training provider for up to two weeks at a time during the first two years. Accommodation and travel costs will be provided.

What You'll Need

• Excellent communication skills; one moment, you could be speaking with customers, and the next, colleagues or internal stakeholders. Your success relies on your confidence to interact with the wider business.
• You'll be resilient and willing to learn, genuinely passionate about your career and committed to studying. Curious problem solvers thrive here.
• In addition to the below qualifications, you are required to hold a GCSE in English AND Maths (Grade A*-B/9-6).
• Our minimum entry criteria require the following qualifications (held or predicted):
• A Levels in Maths (Grade A*-C) AND a Science (Grade A*-C).
• OR HNC/HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• OR Degree in Maths, Physics, Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical Engineering.
• If your qualifications are predicated, you must receive your confirmed results prior to the commencement of the scheme.
• You will also be required to undertake a Mathematics Diagnostic Test at the start of the higher‑level qualification. The test exists to provide a profile of your mathematical strengths and weaknesses and is not used to produce a mark for assessment.
• If you are offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.
• Whatever qualifications you hold, we will need to see evidence of them for you to be considered. If possible, please upload evidence of the required qualifications with your application. These can be scanned or photographed and attached as a PDF document.
• The start is date September 2026. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.
• Operationally we require you to live within approximately 60 minutes of the depot you are applying for Bristol (BS2 0TB).
• Multiple applications will not be considered.
• The start is date September 2026. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.
• Multiple applications will not be considered.
• The start is date September 2026. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.
• Multiple applications will not be considered.
• The start is date September 2026. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.
• Multiple applications will not be considered.

What You'll Get

Joining the UK's leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well‑deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition, which is why we offer a competitive starting salary of £26,899. You will then see your salary increase as you become more experienced, following the timeline below:

• Year 2 – £35,817
• Year 3 – £43,491
• Year 4 (Developmental role) – £47,197
• Apprenticeship Completion – £53,379

In addition to this, you will also receive the following benefits:

• 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
• Earn whilst you learn and receive a fully funded qualification
• Develop well‑rounded skills, learning from experienced and qualified professionals in the industry
• Employee Assistance Programme is there to take care of you and includes musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services if you need them

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.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.

*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.

Applicants for our Apprenticeship programmes should be aware that we are unable to provide sponsorship if you require a visa for our apprenticeship programmes.

Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we were not able to provide advice on this.

For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

More Information

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.