Graduate Design Engineer, Electricity Distribution, Bristol

National Grid Plc; West of England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Competitive pension

Flexible benefits (cycle-to-work, buy/

Sharesave and SIP

£2,000 joining bonus

£2,400 completion bonus

Accommodation allowance up to £200/mo

Relocation/ accommodation support

Mentoring and coaching

Job summary

National Grid is offering a Graduate Design Engineer position in Avonbank, Bristol, with three rotational placements across the UK. You’ll learn protection settings, substation design, and power system analysis using industry tools.

The 18-month programme focuses on developing leadership, technical and professional skills, with mentoring and real project exposure. A UK driving licence and travel are expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Strong foundation in engineering with interest in power systems and electrical networks.
• Experience with power system protection, network modelling, IEDs, coding or engineering analysis tools is beneficial, but learning is key.

Responsibilities

• Analyse electrical network models and calculate protection and AVC settings from low voltage to 132kV.
• Configure protection relays and develop programmable protection logic.
• Support investigations into network faults and maloperations to identify causes and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with engineers to support new customer connections, asset replacement and network reinforcement.
• Develop skills in software like SINCAL, PSSE, Aspen, AutoCAD and relay configuration tools.
• Contribute to design and specification of protection and control systems for substations.
• Provide technical analysis while gaining knowledge of network operation and substation design.
• Aim to become a specialist engineer with support for professional registration and CEng.

Skills

Power systems protection

Network modelling

IEDs

Coding

Engineering analysis tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SINCAL

PSSE

Aspen

AutoCAD

Relay configuration tools

Job description

About the Position

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.

Within NGED, the Engineering Design Team develops the detailed engineering solutions that enable the construction, upgrade and reinforcement of substations across the electricity network. Working on projects ranging from asset replacement to network expansion, the team prepares the designs, technical specifications and protection settings needed to support the safe, reliable operation of the network and the transition to a lower-carbon energy future.

As a Graduate Design Engineer, you'll join our Engineering Design team and help ensure the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the electricity distribution network. Working with specialist engineers, you'll develop expertise in power system protection, analysing network behaviour and calculating the protection settings that help safeguard critical equipment from faults. You'll gain hands-on experience using industry-standard engineering tools and software while building a strong understanding of substation design, network operation and the technologies that support the UK's transition to a lower-carbon future.

What You'll Do

• Analyse electrical network models and calculate protection and automatic voltage control (AVC) settings for equipment operating from low voltage up to 132kV.
• Configure protection relays and develop programmable protection logic to ensure equipment responds correctly during network faults.
• Support investigations into network faults and potential protection system maloperations, helping identify causes and lessons learned.
• Work with engineers across the business to support new customer connections, asset replacement projects and network reinforcement schemes.
• Develop skills in specialist software, including SINCAL, PSSE, Aspen, AutoCAD and protection relay configuration tools.
• Contribute to the design and specification of protection and control systems for substations across the electricity distribution network.
• Provide technical analysis and engineering support while developing your knowledge of network operation, power systems and substation design.
• Build towards becoming a specialist engineer, with support to pursue professional registration and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

What You'll Need to Apply

You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a closely related engineering degree discipline.

It doesn't matter when you graduated or whether you're currently studying towards your qualification. We're looking for graduates with a strong foundation in engineering, an interest in power systems and electrical networks, and an enthusiasm for developing specialist technical expertise. Experience with power system protection, network modelling, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), coding or engineering analysis tools would be beneficial, but most importantly you'll be eager to learn, solve complex technical problems and contribute to the future of the electricity network.

Please note: Due to the amount of travel required for this role, you must obtain a full, valid UK driving licence no later than 27th June 2027 (at least three months before your start date).

If you progress to the assessment centre stage, you must have passed your driving theory test before attending and be able to provide evidence of this.

You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations in order to carry out the requirments of this role you'll need to travel to sites, depots/offices and our training centres.

Location

This role is based Avonbank, Bristol and with travel to work across the South West region. You'll be expected to attend your contractual office location at least three days per week so you'll need to live within a commutable distance of this office.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £38,472 with annual salary increases throughout the programme.

As a first step in your career within the energy industry, our Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience, and build a long-term career with National Grid.

Alongside a tailored development programme designed to power your career at National Grid, you'll also enjoy a range of fantastic rewards and benefits, including:

• 26 days' annual leave, plus statutory holidays.
• A competitive pension scheme.
• Access to flexible benefits, including cycle-to-work and holiday buy/sell schemes.
• The opportunity to participate in our Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans.
• You’ll develop well-rounded skills through practical experience.
• A £2,000 joining bonus upon starting the programme.
• A £2,400 payment upon successful completion of the programme.
• An accommodation allowance of up to £200 per month as you move around the business during placements.
• Additional annual leave when moving between placements, plus support with relocating your personal belongings.
• Dedicated mentoring, regular feedback, networking opportunities, and volunteering opportunities to support your development.
• A permanent role with National Grid upon successful completion of the programme.

About the Graduate Programme

As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 1:1 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Engineering pathway and as part of this you’ll develop further key technical skills aligned to your role as well as important learning modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you will be able to access Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure your chartership.

We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your career.

About National Grid

National Grid is the UK’s critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network and infrastructure that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day, supporting homes, businesses and communities across England and Wales.

We know the future of energy won't be shaped by what we know today. It will be shaped by what's possible tomorrow. That's why we're investing in the next generation of talent, giving apprentices, undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to learn from experts, gain hands-on experience and contribute to work that matters from day one.

Are you ready to unlock the power of the possible?