2026 Graduate Quantity Surveyor, Infrastructure Delivery

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

About The Role

Infrastructure Delivery at National Grid plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy by executing major projects that enhance and expand the UK’s electricity and gas networks. This team is responsible for delivering critical infrastructure—such as substations and transmission lines—that ensures the safe, efficient, and reliable distribution of energy across the country.

As a Graduate Quantity Surveyor, you’ll play a key role in the financial and contractual management of these large-scale construction projects. Working closely with project managers, engineers, and contractors, you’ll help ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and compliance. You’ll be supporting initiatives like the Great Grid Upgrade, which is central to National Grid’s mission to connect more clean, low-carbon power to homes and businesses across England and Wales.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in commercial project delivery, develop your technical and professional skills, and contribute to the UK’s energy transition and sustainability goals.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Assisting in the preparation of detailed cost estimates for materials, labour, and overheads.
• Supporting budget management and cost control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Helping to manage contracts with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors, ensuring compliance and resolving disputes.
• Contributing to value engineering activities to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Measuring and valuing completed work on-site to support accurate payments and financial reporting.
• Preparing regular financial updates and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborating with project teams to ensure timely and efficient project delivery.
• Supporting risk assessment and mitigation planning related to cost and contract issues.
• Ensuring all work complies with relevant legislation, industry standards, and health and safety requirements.

Our 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 121 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 superpowered career.

What you'll need to apply

You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree. Degrees in Quantity Surveying or Building Surveying are preferred, though we may also consider related disciplines such as Construction Management, Real Estate Management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or Sustainability.

Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you'll need to currently have a full valid UK driving license at time of application that will allow you to drive in the UK. 

You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required as in order to carry out the requirments of this role you'll need to travel to sites, substations, depots and our training centres

Location

This role is based in Bristol, with project sites located across the wider portfolio.  As part of your role, you’ll be expected to travel within this region to support project delivery. 

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640
 

Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too: 

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities. 

More Information

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student 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