Graduate Primary Network Design Engineer, Electricity Distribution, Birmingham

National Grid Plc; Tipton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Competitive pension

Flexible benefits

Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans

Joining bonus £2,000

Completion bonus £2,400

Accommodation allowance up to £200/mo

Relocation support with placements

Mentoring and networking opportunities

Permanent role after programme

Job summary

National Grid is offering an 18‑month Graduate Programme for a Graduate Primary Network Design Engineer based at Toll End Road, Tipton, with travel across the West Midlands. You will learn to design high‑voltage networks and assess new demand, capacity and connection requirements.

The programme provides placements across Network Services, Engineering Design, Asset Management, DSO, IT & Data and more, with mentoring and development sessions. A permanent role awaits on completion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering or closely related degree.
• Interest in electricity networks and power systems.
• Willingness to travel across placements and roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design the future electricity network while supporting customers and communities.
• Assess new demand and generation connections for network accommodation.
• Contribute to network studies, feasibility assessments and connection offers.
• Support network reinforcement design to meet future capacity.
• Collaborate with NGET and stakeholders on planning interfaces.
• Evaluate network performance, power quality and technical compliance.
• Gain experience through placements across NG business areas.

Education

2:2 in Electrical Engineering or closely related 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 Primary Network Design (PND) team is responsible for the strategic development and design of the 132kV, 66kV and 33kV electricity distribution network. The team plays a key role in ensuring the network can meet the changing needs of customers and support the transition to a lower‑carbon energy system. Working closely with colleagues across National Grid and the wider energy industry, the team assesses new customer connections, develops network reinforcement plans and helps shape the future of the electricity network through long‑term planning and technical expertise.

As a Graduate Primary Network Design Engineer, you’ll gain hands‑on experience in the planning and design of the high‑voltage electricity distribution network. Working alongside experienced engineers, you’ll learn how to assess new demand and generation connections, evaluate network capacity and develop solutions that support future growth while maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient network. Through a combination of real project work, structured development and placements across the business, you’ll build a strong understanding of network planning, power systems and the challenges of delivering the energy transition.

What You’ll Do

You’ll help develop and design the future electricity network while supporting customers, communities and the UK's journey to net zero.

• Assess new customer demand and generation connections to determine how they can be accommodated on the network.


• Contribute to network studies, feasibility assessments and connection offers for a range of customer and infrastructure projects.


• Support the design of network reinforcement schemes that maintain compliance and meet future capacity requirements.


• Work with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and other stakeholders on network planning and interface activities.


• Help evaluate network performance, power quality and technical compliance across the high‑voltage network.


• Develop an understanding of flexibility, active network management and other innovative approaches to network operation.


• Support customers and internal stakeholders by providing technical guidance on network design and connection requirements.


• Gain experience through placements across areas including Network Services, Engineering Design, Asset Management, DSO, Connections, IT & Data and Customer Excellence.

What You’ll Need to Apply

You’ll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Electrical 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 an interest in electricity networks and power systems, who enjoy applying engineering and mathematical principles to solve technical challenges. You'll be eager to develop your knowledge of network design, system planning and electrical infrastructure, while building the skills needed to help shape the future electricity network and support the transition to a lower‑carbon energy system.

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 at Toll End Road, Tipton, Sandwell, Birmingham and with travel to work across the West Midlands 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.

• 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?

We recruit on a rolling basis across our Early Careers Roles. We may close our vacancies early once we have enough applications. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

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

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