Substation Craftsperson

National Grid; Capenhurst; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid overtime

Company vehicle

26 days holiday + 8 statutory days

Job summary

National Grid is expanding its transmission network and seeking a Substation Craftsperson to maintain high-voltage substation plant. The role is peripatetic across the region with regular travel, supported by structured on-the-job training at the Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire.

You’ll gain broad HV experience and join a team delivering critical infrastructure. You’ll work with circuit breakers, transformers, and HV equipment, with a focus on safety and regulatory compliance, while

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Proactive fault finding and problem solving.
• Commitment to safe working practices and working at height.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to commute within 30 minutes to Capenhurst.
• Comfort with using computer/tablet for documentation.

Responsibilities

• Carry out installation, refurbishment, maintenance, fault finding, and repair of HV substation plant and equipment.
• Diagnose electrical faults and support safe restoration of HV assets.
• Act as a Competent Person under National Grid Safety Rules.
• Undertake PIC responsibilities, including safety documentation within authorised competencies.
• Apply risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work to ensure safety.
• Monitor the condition and performance of substation equipment and defects.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers and technicians.
• Lead maintenance tasks and manage resources and budgets.

Skills

Electrical engineering knowledge

Fault finding

Health and safety compliance

Full UK driving licence

Computer/iPad literacy

Ability to work at height

Education

Level 3 electrical engineering qualification

Job description

Substation Craftsperson.

National Grid is making significant investments in the UK's electricity transmission network, expanding and modernising substations to support the country's future energy needs. As part of this growth, we're expanding our team and are looking for someone who wants to build a long-term career maintaining some of the nation's most critical infrastructure.

Substation Craftsperson.

National Grid is making significant investments in the UK's electricity transmission network, expanding and modernising substations to support the country's future energy needs. As part of this growth, we're expanding our team and are looking for someone who wants to build a long-term career maintaining some of the nation's most critical infrastructure.
You'll also receive structured on-the-job training, including National Grid's Safe Ways of Working programme, equipping you with the knowledge and qualifications required to work safely and confidently on the electricity transmission network. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start a rewarding career within the energy industry and develop with a business at the forefront of the UK's energy transition.
You’ll be based within a 30-minute commute of Capenhurst. This is a peripatetic role, so regular travel will be required across the region.
You’ll support maintenance activities at substations across the region, giving you the opportunity to gain a broad range of experience while working on critical electricity infrastructure.

What Youll Do

• Carry out installation, refurbishment, maintenance, fault finding, and repair activities across high-voltage substation plant and equipment.
• Diagnose electrical faults and support the safe restoration of HV assets to maintain network reliability and performance.
• Operate as a Competent Person under National Grid Safety Rules, ensuring all work is delivered safely and compliantly.
• Undertake Person in Charge (PIC) responsibilities, including the management of safety documentation within authorised competencies.
• Apply risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work to ensure the highest standards of electrical safety.
• Monitor the condition and performance of substation equipment, identifying defects and recommending corrective actions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers and technicians, supporting the development of electrical expertise across the team.

You’ll Work On Specialist Equipment Including

• Circuit breakers
• Power transformers
• High-speed on-load tap changers
• Air compressor systems
• Ancillary equipment across high-voltage substations.

Every day brings new challenges, from rebuilding equipment and aligning components to solving mechanical faults. We’ll provide industry-leading training at our Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire, alongside practical site learning, to help you build specialist high-voltage engineering expertise. Training may include occasional stays away from home, supported by overnight and mobility allowances. Some weekend working is required, with paid overtime available.

What You’ll Have

• In-depth technical knowledge of the electrical, mechanical, and general safety aspects of substation plant, with strong fault-finding and plant analysis expertise.
• Sound understanding of health and safety requirements, with the ability to produce high-quality Risk Assessments and Method Statements.
• Good knowledge of National Grid operational policies, procedures, and processes.
• Proven experience in delivering projects across a range of complex, multi-disciplinary, and multi-interface work environments.
• Experience of working independently on a wide range of transmission equipment, while contributing effectively as part of an integrated team, including occasional lone working.
• Strong planning, people management, communication, and supervisory skills, with the ability to lead teams and ensure the efficient completion of tasks.
• Demonstrable experience in managing and controlling expenditure, with accountability for allocated budgets and resources.

Qualifications, Skill And Experience

We’re keen to hear from candidates with:

• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in Electrical Engineering, such as a recognised apprenticeship, NVQ, or equivalent industry-recognised electrical qualification.
• A proactive approach to fault finding and problem solving.
• A strong commitment to safe working practices and can work at height.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Confidence using a computer and iPad.
• You live within approximately 30 minutes to Capenhurst.

While Not Essential, The Following Would Be Advantageous

• Proven knowledge of operating, maintaining, or commissioning electrical systems within a high-voltage environment.
• Experience working on high-voltage equipment, with LV/HV electrical experience.
• Previous experience within power generation, utilities, manufacturing, heavy engineering or process industries
• NEBOSH or IOSH qualifications.

Please note that visa sponsorship and relocation packages are not available for this role.

Pay And Benefits

• Salary package £42,046 including seasonal allowance.
• Paid overtime, Bonus & Company commercial vehicle.
• 26 days holiday plus 8 statutory days, Contribution Pension Max Total 18%.
• Hours - 37 Avg Monday to Friday, Days only (Winter 36 hrs / Summer 38 hrs - 4 day working pattern).

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

More Information

The closing date for this vacancy is Midnight 26th October 26, with interviews due to take place w/c 9th November 26 onwards. 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.

About Us

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating, and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

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.