Graduate Innovation Engineer, Electricity Distribution, Exeter

National Grid Plc; Exeter; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Competitive pension scheme

Cycle‑to‑work and holiday buy/sell

Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans

£2,000 joining bonus

£2,400 completion bonus

Accommodation allowance up to £200/mo

Relocation support

Dedicated mentoring and networking

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Graduate Innovation Analyst in Exeter as part of its 18‑month graduate programme. You will help identify challenges, develop innovative solutions and deliver projects that support the future electricity network.

Travel across the South West and placements in engineering, operations and strategy form part of the experience. You will gain hands‑on project work, stakeholder engagement and mentoring as you grow within the Innovation team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or a closely related degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver innovation projects for the electricity network.
• Support projects from idea through trial, evaluation and implementation.
• Work with engineers, project managers, customers and external partners to explore solutions.
• Contribute to business cases, cost‑benefit assessments and project activities.
• Identify emerging technologies and opportunities to improve network performance.
• Support governance, reporting and risk management activities.
• Capture and embed learnings from projects across the business.
• Represent NGED at industry forums and events.
• Gain experience across rotations in engineering, operations, strategy, data and planning.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Collaborative mindset

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Mechanical Engineering degree

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 Innovation team is responsible for identifying, developing and trialling new solutions that help shape the future of the electricity network. Working with colleagues across the business, customers, industry partners and innovators, the team delivers projects that support the transition to a smarter, more flexible and lower- carbon energy system. From enabling the electrification of heat and transport to supporting the connection of renewable generation, batteries and emerging technologies, the team plays a key role in helping NGED meet the evolving needs of customers and communities.

As a Graduate Innovation Analyst, you'll join the Innovation team and gain hands-on experience helping to identify challenges, develop innovative solutions and deliver projects that support the future of the electricity network. You'll learn about NGED's innovation strategy, how projects are developed and funded, and how successful innovations are translated into lasting business improvements. Through a combination of real project work, stakeholder engagement and placements across the business, you'll build a broad understanding of electricity distribution and the role innovation plays in supporting the transition to net zero.

What You'll Do

You’ll help develop and deliver innovation projects that support the future of the electricity network.

• Support innovation projects from idea development through to trial, evaluation and implementation.
• Work with engineers, project managers, customers and external partners to explore solutions to industry challenges.
• Contribute to business cases, cost-benefit assessments and project activities that demonstrate value for customers and the business.
• Help identify emerging technologies, trends and opportunities that could improve network performance and customer outcomes.
• Support project governance, reporting and risk management activities to ensure projects are delivered effectively.
• Assist in capturing, sharing and embedding learning from innovation projects across the wider business.
• Represent NGED at industry forums, events and innovation activities, building relationships with stakeholders across the energy sector.
• Gain experience across a range of business areas through placements in engineering, operations, strategy, data, customer and network planning teams.

What You'll Need to Apply

You’ll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical 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 who enjoy solving problems, analysing information and exploring new ideas. You'll be interested in innovation, the future of energy and how new technologies can help address business and customer challenges. Experience of project work, cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment or stakeholder engagement would be beneficial, but most importantly you'll be keen to learn, collaborate with others and help drive meaningful change.

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 in Sowton, Exeter 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?

More Information

You can apply for only one opportunity across all Early Careers and Career Changer programmes. Before applying, pleaese carefully review all available programmes and choose the one that best matches your interests and career goals.

We recruit on a rolling basis across our Early Careers Roles. We may close our vacancies early once we have enough applications.

National Grid's Early Careers 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 the 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