Trainee Development Engineer - Construction Development Programme (CDP)

National Grid; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A major infrastructure organization in the UK is seeking a Trainee Development Engineer for its Construction Development Programme. The 18-month paid role provides hands-on experience across diverse projects, focusing on electricity transmission. Candidates must possess relevant engineering qualifications and show readiness to transition into the development space, ensuring compliance with a range of technical standards. This opportunity offers a competitive salary, a company car, and industry-recognized qualifications.

Benefits

Company car

Pension contribution up to 18%

26 days annual leave + bank holidays

Qualifications

• One of the following qualifications is required: HNC/HND, ONC, or BTEC Level 3 in Engineering.
• Experience in interpreting data and conducting feasibility studies is beneficial.
• A full UK driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Designing, developing, and implementing projects for the electricity transmission network.
• Preparing technical documentation ensuring safety standards.
• Overseeing commissioning of new systems and providing project management support.

Skills

Familiarity with engineering software and tools (such as CAD)

Conducting feasibility studies

Collaborating with stakeholders

Education

HNC/HND, ONC, or BTEC Level 3 in an engineering discipline

Degree in Engineering, Construction, or Project Management

Professional membership in relevant institutions

Tools

CAD

Job description

Construction Development Programme (CDP) – Trainee Development Engineer

Are you ready to pivot your career into the dynamic world of construction? Our CDP Trainee Development Engineer role is designed for individuals looking to reskill and transition into the Network Development Space within Electricity Transmission.

Important: This is not a graduate or apprenticeship scheme. If you're looking for those opportunities, please visit the National Grid Careers Website to explore our dedicated programmes.

Why Join This Programme?

This 18-month paid development programme offers:

• A fast‑track route into Development Engineering within a major infrastructure organisation.
• Hands‑on experience across a portfolio of projects that connect and enhance the electricity transmission network.
• Industry‑recognised qualifications including SMSTS and NEBOSH.
• A supportive, inclusive environment focused on your growth and success.

By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped with the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive as a Development Engineer – with a strong foundation for a long‑term career in construction. You’ll be welcomed into a positive, inclusive organisation that aims to become one of the most diverse and equitable companies of the 21st century.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Trainee Development Engineer, you’ll be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing projects that enhance the electricity transmission network. This role involves Development Engineers playing a key part in the planning and execution of major infrastructure projects, such as the Great Grid Upgrade, which aims to connect more clean, low‑carbon power to the network.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure projects meet technical specifications, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Conducting feasibility studies.
• Preparing technical documentation.
• Supporting project management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Engaging in risk management, ensuring that all health, safety, and environmental considerations are addressed.
• Overseeing the commissioning of new systems and providing technical support during construction, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

This role involves regular travel to site locations, so a full UK driving licence is essential. You’ll be provided with a company car for both business and personal use (subject to BIK tax; no cash alternative available).

Who We're Looking For

To be considered for this exciting role, you’ll need one of the following qualifications, along with relevant work experience:

• HNC/HND, ONC, or BTEC Level 3 in an engineering discipline.
• Degree in Engineering, Construction, or Project Management.
• Professional membership in relevant institutions (e.g., Institution of Engineering and Technology – IET).

Additionally, you should have experience in a role that involves familiarity with engineering software and tools (such as CAD) or where you have interpreted data and conducted feasibility studies.

Expect to cover over 10,000 miles annually across our regions in England and Wales. Your role may include overnight stays in pre-booked accommodation. In addition to your site travels, you’ll attend on‑the‑job training at our training centre in Eakring, Newark; this means you’ll have overnight stays away from home during the training period as well as during the role itself.

Locations Available

Please select one location preference when applying:

• North – Commutable to offices in Leeds (and sites in the NE), Warrington (and sites in the NW).
• Central – Commutable to offices in Warwick (and to sites in the Midlands or South regions).
• South – Commutable to offices in South Wales/Bristol (and sites within the Southwest region).

⚠️ Please note: You can only apply for one CDP scheme and your application may be withdrawn if multiple applications are made. If you’re interested in our graduate or apprenticeship schemes, please apply via our Careers Website. Please be aware we have a number of career‑change or reskilling roles in other fields such as Project Manager, Project Supervisor, Power Systems Engineering etc – if we feel you’re better suited to another role you may be offered this as an alternative.

What's in it for you?

• Starting salary: £39,000
• Salary at programme end: Up to £47,442
• Company car (mandatory for role)
• Pension contribution up to 18%
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays (with buy/sell options)
• Industry‑recognised qualifications

More information

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) owns the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. Every time you plug in your phone or flick a light switch, we’ve played a part. Not only are we responsible for delivering energy to millions of homes and businesses, we are also driving the move to cleaner energy, and the Government’s target of net‑zero emissions by 2050.

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is at the heart of energy in the UK. The electricity we provide gets the nation to work, powers schools and brings energy to life. Our energy network connects the nation, so it’s essential that it’s continually evolving, advancing, and improving.

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:

https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/

The closing date for applications is 20/11/25.