Graduate Overhead Line Design Engineer

Balfour Beatty plc; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days' holiday

Permanent contract from day one

Training & coaching

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc in Derby is offering a Graduate Overhead Line Design Engineer position as part of our 2027 Early Careers programme. You will gain hands-on experience on UK transmission projects, take on real responsibility from day one and develop technical and professional skills alongside experienced mentors.

You'll work within our Power Transmission & Distribution teams, contributing to design, calculations, drawings and documentation while pursuing professional accreditation and early

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Civil Engineering with a minimum 2:2 honours.
• Demonstrated interest in infrastructure and power transmission/distribution.
• Proactive, curious and motivated to develop professionally.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop overhead line electricity transmission and distribution networks.
• Produce and coordinate technical drawings, calculations, specifications and reports.
• Review routes, layouts, foundations and safety requirements for projects.
• Support design reviews, site surveys and technical queries throughout the lifecycle.
• Develop designs that comply with standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, project teams and suppliers.

Skills

Curiosity or proactive attitude

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Tools

Engineering software

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 Overhead Line 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 Overhead Line Design Engineer, based in Derby.

What you'll be doing

As a Graduate Overhead Line Design Engineer you’ll contribute to the design and development of overhead electricity transmission and distribution networks that help deliver power across the UK. 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 overhead line engineering.

You'll support the production and coordination of technical designs, engineering calculations, drawings and documentation, considering factors such as line routes, tower and pole structures, foundations, electrical clearances and safety requirements. Through a structured graduate development programme, you'll gain experience across the project lifecycle, build your technical expertise and develop the knowledge and experience needed to work towards professional accreditation and progress your engineering career.

You’ll support with:

• The design and development of overhead line electricity transmission and distribution networks


• Producing, reviewing and coordinating technical drawings, calculations, specifications, reports and engineering documentation


• Reviewing and interpreting overhead line routes, plans, profiles, layouts and engineering drawings to support project delivery


• Supporting the design of overhead line structures, including towers, poles, foundations and associated infrastructure


• Carrying out engineering calculations relating to line clearances, conductor selection, structural loading and overhead line performance


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


• Ensuring designs comply with relevant engineering standards, technical specifications, health and safety requirements and industry regulations


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


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


• Considering environmental, geographical and site‑specific constraints when developing overhead line routes and design solutions


• Supporting the construction, installation, testing and commissioning of overhead line infrastructure


• Contributing to design quality, sustainability, innovation and continuous improvement initiatives


• Taking ownership of your ongoing professional development, working towards professional accreditation and developing your 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 and Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Civil 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]