Project Development Engineer

National Grid plc; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26 days + statutory

Bonus scheme

Pension scheme with employer match

Car allowance

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Project Development Engineer to lead pre-construction activities for network investments and customer connection projects across multiple UK locations including Cardiff. You will drive option development, costed proposals, and regulatory submissions to secure funding while aligning with Network Development plans.

The role requires strong project management, CDM and RIIO knowledge, and a focus on delivering value to customers and consumers in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or related field; equivalent experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and pre-construction delivery of complex network investments from concept to approval.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to validate requirements and optimize project scope.
• Develop and cost investment options using cost-benefit analysis.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to ensure solutions meet business needs.
• Prepare regulatory/submission documents to secure funding.
• Manage multi-disciplinary teams, risks, budgets and schedules.

Skills

Engineering aptitude

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Cost-benefit analysis

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

At National Grid, we light up the world by harnessing the unique strengths of our people. Join us as a Project Development Engineer to be part of a team that's driving forward the energy transition, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Unleash your superpower and bring energy to life.

National Grid is hiring Project Development Engineers for our Customer & Network Development Team based in Warwick, London, Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff and Kent.

About the role

As an authorised Engineer and accomplished Project Manager, you will lead a multi-disciplined investment team at the pre-construction stages covering the project setup, option selection, development, sanction, tender and contract award of multi-driver interventions.

Undertake feasibility assessments, optioneering, and engineering preconstruction activities to create comprehensive ‘site intents’. These will be further developed to justify either customer connection projects or strategic intervention works, ensuring alignment with our Network Development plans and Design Principles.

Lead and support the preparation of regulatory submissions to secure capital funding, while championing optimal solutions that deliver long-term value for consumers.

What you'll do

• Lead the development and pre-construction delivery of complex network investment and customer connection projects, ensuring solutions are progressed efficiently from concept to approval.
• Establish investment drivers and challenge project needs through collaboration with internal stakeholders to validate requirements, asset health concerns and strategic objectives.
• Develop, evaluate and cost a range of technical investment options, producing robust proposals and recommendations based on cost-benefit analysis.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to develop best-fit solutions, maintain strong relationships and drive high levels of customer satisfaction throughout project development.
• Prepare regulatory and governance submissions, including business cases, optioneering studies and supporting documentation to secure investment approval and funding.
• Lead multi-disciplinary scheme teams, managing stakeholder engagement plans, project risks, budgets and programme development during the pre-construction phase.
• Ensure designs comply with CDM Regulations, SHESQ requirements and company standards, identifying and managing project hazards, risks and residual design issues.
• Undertake feasibility studies, site assessments and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) activities, supporting consenting, innovation, cost estimation and delivery readiness.
• Work closely with delivery, land, consents and operational teams to develop scopes, manage risks, coordinate outages and resource requirements, and enable efficient project execution.
• Monitor project performance, maintain high-quality project data and financial forecasts, capture lessons learned, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.

What you'll need

• Degree-qualified in Engineering or a related discipline, or able to demonstrate equivalent qualifications and/or relevant industry experience.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM Regulations, with a sound understanding of health, safety and environmental legislation, policies and best practice.
• Proven technical knowledge of the Electricity Transmission System, including primary transmission plant and associated infrastructure.
• Demonstrable project management experience, with the ability to effectively manage programme, cost, risk, safety and quality throughout the project lifecycle.
• Good understanding of RIIO regulatory frameworks and the mechanisms through which National Grid secures and delivers regulated revenue.
• Customer and stakeholder focused, with a proven ability to build strong relationships and deliver high-quality outcomes that meet business and customer needs.
• Experience in contract management, supported by strong commercial awareness and the ability to manage contractual obligations and risks effectively.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex technical information and develop practical, value-driven solutions.

What you'll get

Competitive salary between £56,000 - £66,000 per annum dependant on experience

• Annual market supplement of £4,500.00
• Job requirement car
• Annual Performance Based Bonus.
• 26 days annual leave plus eight statutory days.
• The option to buy additional or sell holiday days.
• Generous contributory pension scheme - we will double-match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, exam fees and time off for study leave – so long as it’s relevant to your role.
• Access to several flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.
• Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days).
• Access to numerous apps which support health, fitness and wellbeing.

More information

The closing date for this vacancy is 10/11/26. However, we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

In NGET we are passionate about both operating our network safely and providing highly reliable quality of supply for our customers. At the heart of achieving these outcomes is the effective control and operation of our network.

To find out more about us, please follow the link below:

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.