Graduate Electrical Design Engineer

Balfour Beatty plc; Leeds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & benefits

25 days holiday

Permanent contract from day one

Progression opportunities

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc in Leeds is launching its 2027 Early Careers Graduate Electrical Design Engineer programme. You’ll gain hands-on experience on major UK infrastructure projects and take on real responsibility from day one.

Through a structured development programme you’ll build technical and professional skills, work towards chartership and join a supportive graduate community. The role focuses on LV distribution design, documentation and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 honours in Electrical Engineering.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset.
• Good teamwork and communication skills.
• Keen to learn and apply industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop LV electrical distribution designs for major infrastructure projects.
• Produce and coordinate drawings, specifications and calculations.
• Support design reviews and respond to technical queries.
• Collaborate with engineers, BIM teams, suppliers and contractors.
• Develop knowledge of engineering software and digital design tools.

Job description

About the role

We are Balfour Beatty. You may not know us by name, but you’ll recognise what we do. We’re a leading international infrastructure group, building, maintaining and improving infrastructure that supports communities for generations to come.

As a Graduate Electrical Design Engineer, you'll join our 2027 Early Careers programme and gain hands‑on experience while contributing to some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. From day one, you'll take on real responsibility, develop technical and professional skills, and work alongside experienced colleagues who will support your growth. You'll also be part of a supportive graduate community, building the skills, experience and industry‑recognised accreditations needed for a successful career.

In this role, you’ll join one of ourBalfour Beatty Power T&D teams as a Graduate Electrical Design Engineer, based in Leeds.

What you'll be doing

As a Graduate Electrical Design Engineer, you'll contribute to the development of electrical designs that support major infrastructure, industrial, and energy projects. Working alongside experienced engineers and multidisciplinary project teams, you'll apply your academic knowledge in a practical environment while developing the technical, analytical, and professional skills needed for a successful career in electrical engineering design.

You'll support the production and coordination of technical designs, calculations, drawings, and engineering documentation while gaining experience across the full project lifecycle. Through a structured graduate development programme, you'll build the knowledge and experience needed to work towards professional accreditation and progress your engineering career.

You’ll support with:

• The design and development of low voltage (LV) electrical distribution systems and associated electrical infrastructure


• Producing, reviewing, and coordinating technical documentation, including specifications, schedules, calculations, reports, and design deliverables


• Reviewing and interpreting electrical drawings, layouts, schematics, and engineering information to support project delivery


• Applying engineering software, digital tools, and design technologies to develop and refine engineering solutions


• Ensuring designs comply with relevant engineering standards, codes of practice, health and safety requirements, and project specifications


• Collaborating with engineers, designers, BIM teams, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to develop coordinated design solutions


• Supporting design reviews and responding to technical queries throughout the project lifecycle


• Reviewing supplier and manufacturer information to ensure compliance with technical and project requirements


• Contributing to the management and maintenance of technical documentation, records, and design information


• Supporting the design, installation, testing, commissioning, and handover of electrical systems across a range of projects


• Using digital engineering tools and data‑driven approaches to improve design quality, efficiency, and project outcomes


• Contributing to innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement initiatives within engineering design and project delivery


• Taking ownership of your ongoing professional development, working towards chartership and developing advanced technical and leadership capabilities

Who we're looking for

We value your potential over past experience and are looking for graduates with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a genuine interest in our industry. To be eligible, you’ll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 honours degree by the time you start.

We’d love to receive your application if you:

• Are curious, proactive and motivated to develop professionally.


• Enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions.


• Work well with others and build positive relationships.


• Communicate clearly and confidently with different people.


• Take ownership, adapt to challenges and are committed to achieving results.

Why work for us as a Graduate

• Work on high‑profile projects that make a real difference, while building your career with one of the UK’s leading infrastructure groups.


• Be part of a supportive early careers network, with structured training and with structured training and coaching from experienced industry professionals.


• Take part in unique development experiences, including residential trips in the Lake District and personal development delivered by our external partners.


• Take ownership of your ongoing professional development, with support towards professional membership and chartership or professional registration where relevant to your career path.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits, giving you the freedom to shape a rewards package that works for you.


• 25 days' holiday, with the option to buy or sell additional days.


• A permanent contract from day one, reflecting our commitment to your long‑term career.


• Clear progression opportunities, with bi‑annual performance and pay reviews throughout your programme.


• Opportunities to connect with fellow graduates through networking events, development activities and our Early Careers Showcase.


• Opportunities to get involved in wider business initiatives, community projects and programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

About us

The power sector is one of the fastest‑growing areas in infrastructure, helping to keep homes, businesses and communities connected. It plays a vital role in supporting the UK's transition to a low‑carbon future by strengthening electricity networks and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources.

At Balfour Beatty, our Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to deliver engineering solutions across the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From early‑stage planning and design through to construction and maintenance, our teams help deliver some of the UK's most ambitious power projects, improving network resilience and supporting a more sustainable energy future.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We’re making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we’ve got more to do. Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We are committed to our processes being barrier‑free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments.

We’re looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via [e-mail]