Control Engineer

National Grid; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading electricity distribution company in Cardiff is seeking candidates for a role in their Control Centre to manage high voltage distribution operations. This full-time role requires knowledge of electricity distribution and safety protocols. The company offers a competitive salary along with benefits such as 26 paid leave days, a contributory pension scheme, and healthcare coverage.

Benefits

26 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays

Competitive contributory pension scheme

Annual Share Save plan

Contributory private healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Essential knowledge of electricity distribution systems.
• Residency requirement within 60 minutes of Control Centre.
• Eligibility for National Security Vetting clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assess HV System security and maintain optimum security.
• Operate Network Control system for monitoring.
• Approve planned switching schedules and issue safety documents.

Skills

Knowledge and experience of electricity distribution

Ability to operate Network Control system (ADMS)

Understanding of safety procedures

Education

Level 3 in an Engineering subject with electrical modules

Level 4 (HNC or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Overview

Opportunities are available for up to four people to join our Control Centre team at Cardiff. The role entails operation of the NGED High Voltage electricity distribution network up to 11kV, controlling both the South West and South Wales distribution area. Upon appointment, candidates will work 37 hours per week on a day rota, Monday to Friday. However, it is an expectation that people could move on to one of the other rotas in the Control Centre at a point in the future, which may include shift working on a 2-shift basis (early and late day shifts plus some weekends). Successful applicants must be available to commence in the role for a period of training on 02nd February 2026, which will last for approximately 16 weeks. You must have a minimum of a level 3 in an Engineering subject that includes some electrical modules. People who do not have a Level 4 (HNC or equivalent) qualification in Electrical Engineering may be required to complete this as part of their progression within the role. This will be agreed individually with candidates. Evidence of your qualification certificates will be required prior to appointment. Depending on experience, you may initially be appointed at a lower salary until all relevant courses and training are complete.

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. 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. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.

The teams in Control are focused on ensuring the network is secure, contingencies are in place and lost supplies are restored as quickly as possible, minimising customer minutes lost and customer interruptions. Based within our two Operational Centres, our Control Centres are the heartbeat of our operations, monitoring the system in real time, minimising risk of danger and managing security and faults. Control Centre teams also liaise with the National Grid Group and the Government to manage national network demand and monitor the potential for incidents or emergencies.

We are an equal opportunities employer. Our desire is to bring in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build further on our inclusive culture. We value and celebrate individual difference and we believe that an inclusive culture will help the business grow as a positive, strong and innovative company.

Main Responsibilities

• Assessing HV System security and actions necessary to maintain optimum security on the electrical distribution network, ensuring all operations are carried out within the Distribution Safety Rules and other appropriate Company policy and regulations.
• Operation of the company Network Control system (ADMS) up to 11kV, including switching and alarm management, and maintaining a record of all items.
• Checking and approval of planned switching schedules at all voltages up to 11kV.
• Approving the release of plant and equipment from service for work or testing, and consenting to the issue of Safety Documents up to 11kV.
• Carrying out a quality audit of Safety Documents returned from field operators at all voltages up to 11kV.
• Supporting the operational response to network emergencies or unplanned events.
• Facilitating the connection and commissioning of new plant and equipment at all voltages up to 11kV.
• Provide advice and solutions for matters relating to electrical systems and events impacting or likely to impact on the distribution network.
• Issuing field control (FCON) on defined sections of network up to 11kV.
• Fault switching to enable rapid restoration of customers supplies at all voltages up to 11kV.
• Responding to situations compromising public safety by danger from the system.
• Maintaining and ensuring an accurate record of customer outage data that is recorded for IIS reporting.
• Supporting the operational development of other people, such as trainees.
• Any other duties as directed by a Network Operations Manager that are required for network safety, security, or continuity of operations.

Ideal Candidate – Qualifications and Eligibility

• Knowledge and experience of electricity distribution or power networks is essential for this role. This may typically be experience gained through field operations or planning.
• Candidates should live within 60 minutes of the Control Centre and there is no hybrid working with this role.
• As the post you are applying for attracts a National Security Vetting clearance there are further eligibility requirements. Information can be found on the gov.uk website. To meet national security vetting requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years for Security Clearance (SC) prior to the date of application. There are exceptions to this however and examples of these include: you have been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government; you were studying abroad; you were living overseas with parents. If you have any further queries relating to National Security Vetting, please email [e-mail].

About The Company

Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:

• 26 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays, up to 28 days with continuous service
• Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%)
• Annual Share Save plan
• Contributory private healthcare scheme for you and your family
• Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services
• Free on-site parking at all our main sites

Things you need to know

As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. We anonymise all applications in our recruitment system so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information at interview stage. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email [e-mail] correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.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.

Contact Details

National Grid
Tel: [phone]
Contact: Caroline Lewin (WP)
Email: [e-mail]